Africa-Press – Gambia. Lawyer Assan Martin has raised strong concerns about the state of governance in The Gambia, criticizing President Adama Barrow’s administration for what he described as mismanagement and slow progress.
Speaking on The Grand Bantaba, a weekly public affairs program, Martin said the government’s mistakes are stalling national development.
“It is left to the Gambian people if they want to keep Barrow, let them continue. The reality is the way the world is moving, The Gambia is at a slow pace,” he remarked.
The outspoken lawyer questioned whether the country is functioning effectively, citing the inability to issue national identity cards for nine months as an example of institutional failure.
Martin further accused the government of “mortgaging the country’s assets” to foreign companies and issuing fishing licenses to foreign trawlers, which he said is devastating local communities.
“A country you cannot mortgage all our assets to foreign companies. We have to have prestige. There are things we have to keep for our country. Look at our sea, people are suffering.”
Recounting a recent visit to Tanji fish market, Martin noted that a small pan of fish now sells for between D1,000 and D1,500, while higher-quality fish are being exported abroad.
“And they are telling us good quality fish are packaged and leaving the country but Gambians are struggling in their markets.”
According to Martin, the administration has yet to produce a meaningful success story, stressing that much more needs to be done. He urged state institutions to be more responsive to citizens’ concerns.
“Governance is a temporary position,” he emphasized. “Every citizen has a voice in determining the country’s direction. What we want is for The Gambia to move forward and prosper.”
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