Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Office of the President has officially taken over the management of McCarthy Square, a historic public space previously overseen by the Banjul City Council (BCC). The decision, which was communicated in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Cabinet, comes in the wake of renovations carried out for The Gambia’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations.

The letter to BCC outlined the rationale for the move, citing the significant investment made by the presidency in refurbishing the square and the need for “proper management and adequate security” to maintain it. The correspondence also mentioned plans to conduct an inventory of all movable assets at the square in consultation with the current manager.

Mayoral Concerns

Reacting to the development, Banjul Mayor Rohey Lowe, who is currently out of the country, expressed her discontent with the decision. Speaking to reporters, she stated that she was unaware of the government’s plans until she was informed by external sources.

“Honestly, I am not happy about this decision. I cannot understand why again the BCC is targeted for hostility. My council is the only one where staff members have been interdicted even before the commission of inquiry started its work. We were sidelined in the Banjul Roads Project, and now this latest move to take the square from us,” Mayor Lowe said.

The mayor further questioned whether the government’s actions were influenced by her gender, stating, “Sometimes I wonder whether it is because of my being a woman that I get all these hostilities from the government.”

Despite her concerns, Mayor Lowe maintained that she has always shown respect and courtesy to the executive, making the move even more perplexing to her. “I simply don’t understand, and sometimes I even think that one day they will come to take my own office,” she lamented.

Political Tensions

The government’s decision to assume control of McCarthy Square has reignited tensions between the executive and the BCC. Observers note that this is not the first instance of friction between Mayor Lowe’s administration and the central government, pointing to previous disputes over urban development projects and the treatment of city council staff.

While the Office of the President has justified the move on the grounds of maintenance and security, the BCC and its supporters see it as yet another instance of political overreach.

It remains to be seen how this decision will impact governance in the capital and the broader relationship between local and central authorities.

Source: Standard Newspaper