By Makutu Manneh
Hamadi Tamba, the councillor for Sintet Ward in the Foni Jarrol District, has dismissed as unfounded a claim by Demba Sabally, the minister of agriculture, that the chairman of the Brikama Area Council, Yankuba Darboe, favors supporters of the United Democratic Party in the distribution of scholarships.
Mr. Tamba described the allegation as false and misleading, saying that scholarship allocations at the council are governed by established procedures that cut across party lines.
“In 2024 and 2025, every ward received 6 scholarship packages, respectively. If he does not know this statistic, we can school him. If he consults us, we will give him the data,” he stated.
He said council members, though drawn from different political parties, operate on a nonpartisan basis when carrying out their responsibilities, particularly on issues related to education and development in the West Coast Region.
According to Mr. Tamba, the Brikama Area Council has a dedicated scholarship committee under its education subcommittee, chaired by Councillor Modoulamin Sanyang, which oversees the selection and distribution process.
The councillor said that Chairman Darboe has no authority to determine how scholarships are allocated and cannot dictate their distribution. He explained that a separate package of scholarships is allocated to Darboe in his capacity as regional chairman, distinct from those assigned directly to individual wards.
He urged the minister to verify information before making public statements, emphasizing that accuracy is essential. “As a minister, being factual is very important,” he said.
The councillor also disputed the minister’s claim that the National People’s Party had distributed more than 2,000 scholarships, describing the assertion as misleading. He said he was surprised by the statement and questioned the minister’s connection to Foni Bondali, arguing that scholarship beneficiaries should be proactively identified rather than required to seek assistance themselves.
Describing the remarks as inappropriate for a public official, Tamba said the minister’s comments were “shameful” and suggested that he should consider stepping down, adding that he was unfit to hold ministerial office.
“He said NPP has distributed more than 2000 scholarships, and he was handing over the envelopes to the beneficiaries. We were shocked when we heard this, and I want to ask him if he is a resident of Foni Bondali or a sympathizer because he should not wait for people to seek scholarships from him before he gives them. So his statement is really shameful; it is better he resign because he is not worthy of holding a ministerial position,” Tamba stated.
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