Africa-Press – Gambia. President Adama Barrow on Monday urged residents of the Kanifing Municipality to avoid what he described as the “mistake” of electing opposition lawmakers and local government officials, arguing that their choices have hindered development efforts in the country’s largest urban area.
Speaking at a “Meet the People Tour” gathering in Bundung, Mr. Barrow criticized voters for backing opposition National Assembly members, the mayor, and several councilors. He challenged residents to point to any tangible benefits delivered by these officials during his nine years in office.
“There is one mistake Serrekunda has made, which is electing opposition NAMs, a mayor, and councillors,” Mr. Barrow said. “Since you made that mistake, what have they done for you?”
The president said that if constituents expect his administration to deliver results, they must elect representatives aligned with his National People’s Party (NPP). He noted that four National Assembly members from the area should have been at the meeting, but only one attended—a decision he suggested reflected a lack of commitment to addressing residents’ concerns.
“These are the people who should have informed me about your challenges,” he said. “If they do not want to speak with the president, how will they work for you?”
Mr. Barrow cited poor waste management in Bundung as evidence of what he called local government failures. He questioned how municipal taxes were being used, accusing opposition officials of mismanagement and referring to findings from the ongoing Local Government Commission of Inquiry.
“Since they were elected, they have not done anything here,” he said. “The only thing they did was collect your taxes, embezzle them, and distribute them among themselves.”
He urged voters to “learn” from what he characterized as the shortcomings of their local representatives ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
The president also defended his administration’s development record, asserting that Gambians had already witnessed major improvements under his leadership. While acknowledging that development is his responsibility, he said he is now “more capable” and equipped with “more tactics” to push the country’s progress further.
Mr. Barrow pledged that a new wave of projects would begin between 2026 and 2031. He highlighted what he said were 4.4 billion dalasis’ worth of roadworks completed in Serrekunda over the past nine years and promised that upcoming projects would total 10 billion dalasis.
“That is my promise,” he told the crowd, adding that he believed Gambians would “believe” in his commitment.
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