By Seedy Jobe
Human rights defender Madi Jobarteh has raised concerns over the D14 million Nyakoi stadium project, questioning the transparency, proportionality, and value for money of the initiative undertaken by the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) and relevant sports authorities.
In a statement issued over the weekend, Mr. Jobarteh challenged the quality and scope of the recently inaugurated facility, arguing that the project does not appear to reflect the scale of investment reported.
“If this constitutes a D14-million stadium, then citizens are justified in asking a simple question: Where did the money go?” he asked.
According to observations shared by Mr. Jobarteh, the stadium lacks several basic features typically associated with such infrastructure, including spectator pavilions, proper seating stands, scoreboards, and lighting systems.
He called for full disclosure of the project’s financial and technical details, posing a series of questions to the GFF: “How much money was allocated, and what or who was the source? What are the project specifications, what was the bill of quantities, who was the contractor, was there an open bidding, and who certified the work was complete? Does the cost of this project reflect value for money? These are transparency and accountability questions that require answers from GFF.”
Mr. Jobarteh emphasized that while football federations enjoy autonomy under international governance structures, such independence should not translate into financial opacity.
“The Gambia Football Federation cannot hide behind autonomy. While FIFA protects federations from political interference, autonomy does not mean financial opacity,” he said.
He further noted that international football governance frameworks underscore principles of accountability, auditing, and stakeholder transparency. He stressed that shielding football administration from government interference does not exempt it from public scrutiny.
Mr. Jobarteh identified key stakeholders—including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Sports Council, the National Youth Council, and the general public—as entities deserving of clear and detailed information regarding the project.
“International football governance frameworks emphasize accountability, auditing, and stakeholder transparency. Shielding football administration from government interference does not shield it from public scrutiny. The Ministry, NSC, NYC, and citizens are the stakeholders, and they deserve transparency.”
He also criticized the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its silence on the matter, asserting that as the state authority responsible for sports development, it cannot reasonably claim ignorance of a multi-million-dalasis project.
Calling for the publication of procurement documents, engineering assessments, and a comprehensive financial breakdown, Mr. Jobarteh maintained that transparency would help safeguard institutional credibility.
“Transparency protects institutions. Silence breeds suspicion,” he said.
He concluded by clarifying that his intervention is not intended as a personal attack on football administrators but rather as a defense of institutional integrity.
“This is not about attacking football administrators. It is about defending institutional integrity. Transparency would end the controversy immediately.”
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