By Ramatoulie Jawo
Lawyer Ousainu Darboe, Secretary-General and party leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has called on President Adama Barrow to clarify the ownership of a property on South Atlantic Road in Fajara.
During a press conference at the UDP Manjai bureau, Mr. Darboe stated that the property, which serves as the official residence of the Chief Justice, is currently under construction, purportedly for private use. He emphasized that this property should remain designated for the Chief Justice and not be subject to private allocation.
Mr. Darboe urged President Barrow to confirm that the property is government-owned. He expressed concern that the property might have been allocated to the President, which would be inappropriate given its official use.
“But, Mr. President, I know that, As a fact, there is a property on South Atlantic Road, which is the official residence of the Chief Justice. I know, I visited Chief Justice Ayala when he was here, but now that property, Mr. President, we want to know who owns that property today. We want you to make full and frank disclosure, because that is government property, and that is not a layout. And that property should be reserved as the official residence of the Chief Justice. It is government property. We are told, Mr. President, we are told and for you to clear the air, that, that property has been allocated to you. Because that cannot be, that is not right,” Darbo stated.
Furthermore, Mr. Darboe warned against any involvement of the President’s friends or associates in the construction on that property. Although he acknowledged having no evidence, he urged President Barrow to address these concerns openly and transparently.
“That is government property, meant for the Official residence of the Chief Justice. But it is for you now to clear, to clear the air, because if you are fighting corruption, you yourself must not get involved in transactions that are questionable. I asked you, Mr. President, to clear the air. And I have no evidence, but I am told that one of your friends, a businessman, is in fact in charge of the construction of the house on that property. Mr. President, these are things that you have to clear for us,” He said.
Mr. Darboe clarified that he is not accusing the President of directing the Ministry of Lands to allocate the property to himself, but stressed the importance of transparency regarding the official residence of the Chief Justice.