Africa-Press – Gambia. The leader of the Reformist Organization for Growth, Renewal, Equity, Security and Social Justice (PROGRESS), Mr. Amadou Jaiteh has accused the Gambian government of presiding over what he described as widespread and systemic corruption.
In an exclusive interview with The Voice on Tuesday, Mr. Jaiteh alleged that bribery and misappropriation of public funds have become entrenched in government operations.
“The endemic corruption that continues to plague our country is unimaginable,” he said.
According to him, loans and revenues mobilized in the name of national development are allegedly diverted through politically motivated projects, particularly road construction. He claimed that funds allocated for infrastructure projects were significantly reduced and shared among officials responsible for awarding contracts.
Mr. Jaiteh further alleged that road projects provide opportunities to conceal corrupt practices through kickbacks, adding that the poor quality of some completed works and repeated rehabilitation of certain roads reflect weak planning and possible mismanagement of funds.
He cited the ongoing rectification works on the OIC road as an example, arguing that properly executed projects should not require frequent repetition.
The PROGRESS leader also criticized government spending on national celebrations, describing some activities marking Independence Day as unnecessary and a burden on taxpayers.
He said that under a PROGRESS administration, 18 February would be observed as a day of reflection and retrospection, rather than focusing on what he termed elaborate military parades.
Mr. Jaiteh further alleged irregularities in election campaign financing, claiming that financial and material inducements were often distributed during campaign periods to influence voters.
He called on citizens to hold political leaders accountable and urged the government to respond to his allegations with what he described as clear evidence of transparency and accountability.
There was no immediate reaction from government officials at the time of publication.
