Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs has issued a formal response to recent comments made by opposition leader Lawyer Ousainou N.M.O. Darboe regarding the allocation of land on Atlantic Road, Fajara, to President Adama Barrow.

In a public statement issued Wednesday, the Minister of Lands expressed dismay at Mr. Darboe’s remarks made during a United Democratic Party (UDP) press conference on June 3, 2024. The Minister highlighted the Ministry’s broad mandate to allocate land to all Gambians, including the President.

He pointed out that Mr. Darboe himself had benefited from land allocations during the Jawara administration, and his immediate family had received land while he served as Foreign Minister and later Vice President in the current government.

The Minister described Mr. Darboe’s comments as disingenuous and intended to incite controversy and dissatisfaction among the population. He clarified that the land in question had been unoccupied for many years, including by the Chief Justice, allowing the Ministry to reallocate it as deemed appropriate. In this instance, the Ministry exercised its statutory mandate to allocate the land to the sitting Head of State, President Adama Barrow.

Assuring the public, the Minister emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to transparent and fair land allocation practices for all Gambians and urged the public to disregard Mr. Darboe’s attempts to politicize the process.

At the press conference referred to in this press release, Ousainou Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), voiced strong criticisms against President Adama Barrow’s administration, highlighting a perceived lack of action and transparency regarding corruption.

In a direct challenge to President Barrow, Darboe demanded clarity on the ownership of a government property on South Atlantic Road, which he claimed should be reserved as the official residence of the Chief Justice. He alleged that the property might have been allocated to President Barrow or a close associate, calling for a full disclosure.

“Mr. President, we want to know today who owns that property. We want you to make a full and strong disclosure. Because that is not my property. That is not a layout. And that property should be reserved as the official residence of the Chief Justice,” Darboe insisted.

With the government ruminating it’s response to Ousainou Darboe for a month, this exchange highlights the contentious nature of political discourse in The Gambia, possibly influencing voter sentiments and dynamics leading up to future elections. Clearly, Hamat Bah’s rebuttal reflects the broader political contest between the current administration and the opposition, with each side seeking to shape public perception and maintain or gain political advantage.