Africa-Press – Gambia. Ousainu Darboe, the leader of the United Democratic Party, sharply criticized President Adama Barrow’s administration on Saturday, accusing it of wasteful public spending and promising a more development-oriented approach if his party returns to power.
Addressing supporters at a political meeting in Niani Kunting, in the Central River Region, Mr. Darboe took aim at the cost of the president’s nationwide tours, arguing that the money could be better spent on sectors that directly benefit ordinary Gambians, particularly farmers.
“I believe before the government takes D40 million to tour the country, they could have taken D30 million and invested it in something that would benefit the farmers and used the remaining D10 million for the tour,” Mr. Darboe said.
He contrasted the current spending levels with those of previous administrations, saying that under former President Dawda Kairaba Jawara, the constitutionally mandated “Meet the People Tour” cost less than D2 million, while under Yahya Jammeh it did not exceed D6 million.
“But Adama Barrow came starting with D10 million, and ever since it has been increasing until now it is D52 million,” he said.
Mr. Darboe said a UDP-led government would not spend what he described as “huge” sums on presidential tours. While acknowledging that the Constitution requires the tours, he accused the current administration of using them primarily for political purposes.
Instead, he said, a UDP government would channel such funds into education, agriculture, and health care. He urged voters to support him in the 2026 presidential election, saying that development would only be possible through collective effort between the government and citizens.
Mr. Darboe also outlined proposals aimed at youth employment, particularly in coastal communities. He said a UDP administration would invest in aquaculture as a way to curb irregular migration by creating sustainable livelihoods at home.
“This will help our youths stay in the country, earn a decent living, and remain with their families,” he said.
Turning to agriculture, Mr. Darboe pledged to prioritize rice production, arguing that with serious investment and support for farmers, The Gambia could achieve self-sufficiency in rice within three years and eventually export to neighboring countries.
He said such progress would require what he described as a compassionate government, accusing the current administration of neglecting farmers. He pointed to stagnant groundnut prices, saying they had not changed for three consecutive years.
“Only a UDP government can do this for you,” he told the crowd. “It has the ambition.”
Mr. Darboe also criticized recent increases in salaries for senior government officials, saying that while the president, ministers, and deputies had seen their pay rise, farmers continued to struggle with low commodity prices. He claimed that the president now earns about D500,000 per month.
“The price of basic commodities is the same for everyone,” he said. “But your earnings and theirs are not the same. They do not care about that. They only care about themselves.”
The Barrow administration has previously defended its spending and salary adjustments as necessary for governance and national outreach, though officials did not immediately respond to Mr. Darboe’s remarks.
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