Africa-Press – Gambia. Yankuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council, has accused the central government of widespread corruption, asserting that financial mismanagement at the State House far exceeds irregularities at the local level. Speaking at a political rally in Farato organized by the United Democratic Party (UDP), Darboe attributed The Gambia’s deteriorating economic conditions to governance failures at the highest levels.
“When I ran for this office in 2023, I spoke openly about financial leakages within the Brikama Area Council. But today, I want to tell the nation that if there are holes in Brikama, there are far larger ones at the State House,” Darboe said. “These gaps have drained national resources to the extent that the dalasi has become almost worthless.”
The chairman criticized the government’s management of the tourism sector, blaming what he described as greed and poor policy choices for the sector’s current decline.
“Our tourism industry is collapsing. Tourists seek vibrant, well-managed destinations, but ours is burdened with avoidable barriers,” he said. “The Gambia is the only country in Africa where travelers must pay airport fees before even presenting their passports. In countries like Sierra Leone, entry procedures are much simpler. These unnecessary charges are deterring tourists and accelerating the dalasi’s depreciation.”
Darboe argued that the consequences of such decisions are being felt by ordinary Gambians through rising living costs and growing economic hardship.
“Every policy decision this government makes has a ripple effect. The result is growing instability and hardship—people can no longer afford basic necessities,” he stated.
During a recent tour of Niumi Bakalar with UDP leader Ousainou Darboe, the chairman said he met farmers who have not been paid for their groundnut harvests from the previous season.
“Farmers delivered their produce to Seccos last year and have yet to be compensated. Now we are in another rainy season. How can anyone prosper under these conditions?” he asked.
Darboe also questioned the credentials of Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally, challenging his suitability for the position.
“How can someone who once worked as a caretaker in the U.S.—and now refers to himself as a doctor—be appointed Minister of Agriculture, despite limited expertise in the field?” he said.
He further criticized President Adama Barrow, referencing a metaphor previously used by the president to describe his leadership.
“The president once said he was driving a bus. But now, he has removed the competent drivers—those with experience—and the bus has come to a halt,” Darboe said. “When government officials visit your communities, don’t just ask them to fix their homes. Tell them that we, the women and the people, are ready to fix the State House in 2026.”
Darboe pointed to ongoing reforms within the Brikama Area Council as evidence of what he described as effective leadership. He claimed the council has returned over 42 million dalasis to the West Coast Region in development funds and has introduced scholarship schemes for university and tertiary students.
“We’ve launched new departments to improve service delivery. We may have missed the chance in 2021, but we must not miss 2026,” he urged. “Once the elections are over, we won’t wait for the IEC. We will install our leader in the State House. It is the will of the people that will change this country.”
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