By Makutu Manneh
Lamin Manneh, the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Administrative Secretary for External Affairs, has raised serious concerns about President Adama Barrow’s 2021 asset declaration submitted ahead of the presidential elections.
Manneh questioned the legitimacy of the figures declared by the president, particularly Barrow’s claim of holding over D200 million in Gambian bank accounts, alongside nine landed properties and multiple vehicles. He argued that such wealth was inconsistent with the president’s official earnings.
“For a person who over the five years could have earned a maximum D30 million, he was paid half a million a year. Assuming he saved everything because we buy everything for him. That is D6 million in a year, D30 million in five years. How did he get D200 million in his account? How did he get all those vehicles?” Manneh asked.
The UDP official further criticized what he described as a worrying signal to the public. “You know what, it’s a free-for-all. I’m doing it, you can do it and everybody does it and nobody is taking into account for that.” Manneh said.
Manneh also questioned the First Lady’s travel expenditures, alleging that she received over $700,000 for trips abroad. He argued that such spending was unjustifiable, given that the First Lady does not hold an official government position. Manneh asked, “Why do we have to pay for that, she is not a functionary.”