Lamin K. Saidy Accuses BAC of Using Council Taxes to Support UDP Activities

By Makutu Manneh

Lamin K. Saidy, the presidential adviser on youth affairs, has accused the Brikama Area Council (BAC) of using revenue collected from market vendors and residents to support activities of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).

Saidy made the allegations in Brikama during the ruling National People’s Party’s ongoing sensitization tour, questioning what he described as the UDP’s increased capacity to organize political activities.

“In the past, what UDP could not do for itself, today that is what they are doing. So where are they getting the money from?” Saidy said. “UDP has never organized a political rally in SSP. Then where are they getting the money from? Ask yourselves these questions.”

Saidy did not provide evidence directly linking council revenue to UDP activities. The Brikama Area Council and the UDP had not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.

He also criticized the council’s delivery of basic services, arguing that residents and businesses continue to pay taxes without seeing adequate improvements in sanitation and other services.

According to Saidy, when markets in the West Coast Region and Kanifing Municipality are cleaned, the work is often carried out with assistance from personnel deployed by the central government rather than through the efforts of local councils.

He also took issue with criticism of road projects undertaken by President Adama Barrow’s government. Saidy said opposition-led councils frequently argue that the projects are financed with taxpayers’ money while, in his view, failing to adequately account for revenue they collect directly from residents.

Saidy said the NPP regretted losing control of the West Coast Region, arguing that the current leadership had failed to serve residents, particularly women vendors. He singled out markets in Brikama and along Coastal Road, alleging poor sanitation and conditions that leave vendors’ goods exposed to insects.

He urged NPP supporters to remain united and called for greater solidarity within the party. Saidy also praised President Barrow’s record on peace and stability and described him as tolerant toward his political opponents.

Saidy went on to criticize opposition figures Essa Mbye Faal and BAC Chairman Yankuba Darboe, mocking their manner of speaking at political events.

“Just look at how these opposition figures speak,” Saidy said. “For Essa Mbye Faal, he will be angry to the extent of removing his glasses. Yankuba Darboe, when talking, he will be bloated like a frog with insults and bad words.”