President Adama Barrow has come under sharp criticism following remarks suggesting that the opposition cannot build roads, schools, hospitals, bridges or provide electricity for Gambians.
Critics say the statement misrepresents the role of government and attempts to turn national development into a personal political achievement.
MC Cham Jr, National Campaign Manager of the UMC, argued that development projects are funded by public resources and not by the personal wealth of any president.
According to him, roads, electricity, water systems, hospitals and schools are financed through taxes, loans, grants and national revenue belonging to the Gambian people. “Public office is not charity. It is service,” Cham declared.
He questioned why opposition parties should be blamed for failing to deliver infrastructure when they do not control state institutions, public contracts or the national budget.
He insisted that responsibility for development lies solely with the government in power.
Cham also challenged Barrow’s remarks by pointing to the president’s own record before assuming office.
He argued that Barrow himself did not build roads, hospitals or provide electricity while outside government because he lacked access to state resources.
“The same principle applies to the opposition today,” he said. “They cannot be expected to provide national development without control over public funds.”
The UMC official warned against what he described as “the politics of fear, dependency and manipulation,” insisting that no democratic society should allow leaders to treat public resources as campaign property.
He further stressed that the treasury and all national projects belong to citizens, not to any individual leader.
“Development does not belong to Barrow,” Cham stated. “Roads, schools, bridges, hospitals and electricity projects belong to the Gambian people.”
The remarks are expected to intensify debate over governance, accountability and the use of state resources ahead of future political campaigns.
