By Ramatoulie Jawo
His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Saturday said the inauguration of the Kanifing Municipal Council’s (KMC) new office was politicized.
“The new office complex at KMC was built by the government. But during the inauguration of the office complex, they refused to invite the government and instead invited officials of the UDP. That office is not a UDP office but the Gambian people’s office. However, they (KMC) rolled out the red carpet for UDP officials to walk on, which is a big shame. If it was another government, different from my government, they will use their powers to stop them (KMC) from inaugurating that office. Because it is the government’s money and they refused to invite that government,” Barrow stressed.
President Barrow said his government will not use power on anyone because they are nurturing democracy to maintain peace.
The Gambian President said If they had sent the police in, that would have been very chaotic and that will not have had any use for them and the Gambian people.
President Barrow further called on the council to work with the government for the development of the Municipality.
“But my government will bring a strategy that will solve these problems. You know In the regions, we have governors, and when we have meetings governors represent the government. In 2023, we are going to appoint administrators in KMC, and that person will be the governor of KMC. By the end of January, we are going to appoint an Administrator for both KMC and BCC. He or she will be the head of all government institutions within KMC and BCC and will represent the government as well.”
President Barrow disclosed that they (The government) have already drafted a budget and it will be passed to appoint the administrators so that funds will pass through that office first.
President Barrow emphasized that the administrators will work directly with the government so that they will be doing exactly what the government wants.
The Gambian leader made these remarks at a meeting in Tallinding during his “Meet the People’s Tour.”