By Fatou Sillah
Kemo Bojang, spokesperson for the UNITE Party and a youth councillor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has alleged that the Gambian government prevented Africell from investing D100 million to transform Serekunda West Park into what he described as the municipality’s first mini stadium.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Bojang said the proposed project was among several development initiatives the council had hoped to implement but could not pursue because of what he described as government interference.
According to Bojang, KMC had also planned road construction and housing projects but encountered obstacles that prevented some of the initiatives from moving forward.
“Even with Africell, we had a hundred million dalasi plan to invest in Serekunda West. We could not because someone up there calls Africell,” Bojang said.
He did not identify the individual or office he was referring to, nor did he provide evidence to support the allegation. Bojang said he was familiar with the matter because he had participated in discussions surrounding the proposed investment.
He argued that the episode underscores the need to strengthen the autonomy of local governments, saying municipal authorities should have greater independence to carry out development projects without undue interference.
“Granted, we understand local government is part of the country, but there needs to be some atom of autonomy for these mayors to be able to achieve what they want to do,” he said.
Bojang also defended Kanifing Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda against criticism that his political activities could undermine the administration of the council.
He said the municipality has established governance structures that allow its work to continue regardless of the mayor’s political engagements.
“KMC has a deputy mayor, functional committees, and councillors who are responsible for carrying out the council’s work,” he said.
The government and Africell had not publicly responded to Bojang’s claims at the time of publication.
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