Lamin Manneh, the Deputy External Secretary of the opposition UDP, criticized Gambian President Barrow, stating that his leadership has not brought any tangible benefits to the country, only exacerbating economic hardship and poverty.
“Under President Barrow’s leadership, Gambians have faced increasing hardship and difficulties. Our healthcare system is stagnant, education is failing, and inefficiency pervades all sectors. What tangible achievements can Barrow claim since taking office? All we’ve seen is underdevelopment and hardship,” he asserted.
When questioned about recent developments spearheaded by President Barrow, such as the Jambur Solar project, Manneh argued that the credit for this solar project, which the Barrow administration boasts about, should go to his party leader, Ousainou Darboe, who negotiated it during his tenure in government.
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“Barrow cannot solely claim credit for this project, as it was negotiated by Darboe. If this government were sincere, we would see more projects like this across the country. However, since Darboe’s departure, similar initiatives have been lacking. Thus, Barrow cannot sideline Darboe and take full credit for the project,” the former ADB staff member stated.
Regarding the ongoing OIC projects, Manneh criticized the design of the Bertil Harding highway, arguing that it does not adequately address the country’s transportation needs.
“In the next two years, these OIC-funded roads may become a liability to the country, requiring constant maintenance. The quality of these roads is questionable, and they may end up costing the nation significantly in maintenance,” he warned.
Commenting on the recently concluded Senegalese presidential election, Manneh expressed concerns about the Barrow administration’s readiness for the post-Macky Sall era. He argued that the renegotiation of contracts proposed by the new leader of Pastef could have adverse effects on Gambians, particularly in areas such as electricity supply.