Dr. Ceesay Criticizes KMC Over Bundung Waste Management; MC Cham Junior Fires Back

By Landing Ceesay 

The Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, on Saturday criticized the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) for its waste management practices in Bundung. In response, MC Cham Junior, a Business Councilor at KMC, strongly defended the council in an audio message obtained by this medium.

During President Adama Barrow’s inspection of the OIC roads in Bundung on August 3, 2024, Dr. Ceesay expressed his displeasure with the condition of the gutters along the Bundung road, which is currently under construction. This criticism followed a briefing by Hon. Sulayman Jammeh, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Bundung Constituency, who had updated the President on the community’s appreciation for the new road and their ongoing struggles with access to clean water.

“I think this is not the first time the president has been coming here (Bundung). The number of times he (President Barrow) came here to inspect this road, he did not do it on any other road. That means he has a special place for Bundung in his heart. There are times he comes here and the people of Bundung are not even aware of it. 

“But you need to hold KMC (Kanifing Municipal Council) accountable. Because they are not doing their job here in Bundung. I heard them saying the community, the government, and KMC are not doing anything here. The dirt I have seen, they are not doing their job. The people must know who is there for them and who cares about them. And that is the President (Adama Barrow). KMC are not doing their job, because the shop owners pay their KMC fees, but look at the way they throw rubbish in the gutter. Where is KMC?” Dr. Ceesay asked. 

However, during Dr. Ceesay’s remarks, Hon. Sulayman Jammeh was overheard asserting that the KMC was fulfilling its responsibilities. 

“They (KMC) clean the gutters regularly,” Hon. Jammeh informed Dr. Ceesay.

“That is their job,” Dr. Ceesay replied.

MC Cham Junior, in response, labeled Dr. Ceesay as the “Minister of Misinformation,” accusing him of trying to mislead the people of Kanifing Municipality (KM). “I saw a video posted by Kerr Fatou, where the Minister of Misinformation, the Father of Yaye Kompign (referring to Dr. Ceesay), spoke. The role of the Minister of Information does not make him the spokesperson for the NPP or the Barrow government. He should focus on bringing policies and programs to his ministry to inform Gambians accurately,” MC Cham Junior said.

MC Cham Junior asserted that no law in the Gambia mandates that cleaning the roads is the responsibility of the KMC.

He expressed his belief that the country’s Information Minister was unaware that the Ministry of Environment and the National Environment Agency are responsible for this task.

Cham emphasized that the Local Government Act addresses this issue.

“I saw Hon. Sulayman Jammeh tell Dr. Ismaila Ceesay that the KMC had been actively cleaning the roads while Dr. Ceesay was speaking. Hon. Sulayman Jammeh emphasized that Dr. Ceesay’s claims were incorrect and that KMC consistently maintains the roads. This implies that, as a Minister, Dr. Ceesay’s statements were unfounded, which is quite concerning, Ismaila (Minister of Information).

“Dr. Ceesay should recognize that the residents of KMC are well aware of the Council’s diligent efforts in maintaining cleanliness. Every ward has a Mbalit Truck, and KMC employs people specifically for road cleaning. If Dr. Ceesay visits Barra, where the NPP chairman resides in the North Bank Region, or the URR (Upper River Region), he will observe similar conditions. However, their issue seems to lie with KMC. It is evident that they fear Mayor Bensouda because all their problems revolve around KMC,” stated MC Cham Junior.

MC Cham Junior urged Dr. Ceesay to reflect on his own conduct within the Barrow administration.

He also pointed out that the Barrow government harbors resentment towards KMC due to Mayor Bensouda’s reaction to President Barrow’s disparaging remarks about Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), which were broadly criticized by Gambians.

“Mayor Bensouda addressed President Barrow, highlighting what a President should be: how to communicate with the people, the challenges and suffering faced by the nation, the alarming rise in drug abuse among youth, the tragic loss of young lives due to Kush, the scarcity of job opportunities, the absence of ID cards, the lack of water meters, and inadequate electricity. These are the issues the President needs to address with Gambians. Additionally, concerns about agriculture and the frequent floods that displace people and leave them homeless are critical. Mayor Bensouda’s remarks reflect the deep frustrations and anger felt by the people,” MC Cham Junior commented.

MC Cham Junior suggested that Dr. Ceesay’s comments on Saturday about KMC being dirty were intended to distract the public, despite the National Assembly Member for Bundung Constituency, Hon. Sulayman Jammeh, informing him that KMC consistently maintains cleanliness in Bundung areas.

“Hon. Sulayman Jammeh, as the National Assembly Member for Bundung, has already addressed this matter for KMC. It is important that you, Dr. Ceesay, refrain from misleading the public. I have mentioned before that while you are a young and educated individual with qualifications and prior employment, you should not be solely reliant on government support. The responsibilities of the National Environment Agency and the Minister of Environment are clear. For example, when you participated in a set setal, it was KMC that provided the vehicle, not the government of The Gambia.” MC Cham Junior said. 

Mr. Cham Junior went further to question Dr. Ceesay about the trucks provided for the cleaning of the OIC roads before the summit. 

“When you needed vehicles to clean the OIC roads, who provided them? Wasn’t it the KMC that supplied the vehicles for that purpose? Ismaila (Dr. Ceesay), the people of KMC truly appreciate the efforts of Mayor Bensouda. Previously, KMC faced issues like burning Mbalit or digging holes and burying the trash. However, today, Mayor Bensouda and his councilors have effectively addressed these problems for the community.

“Ismaila (Dr. Ceesay), you mentioned your intention to support President Barrow in winning the Councils, which was part of your partnership with him. You carried out extensive campaigning throughout the KMC and the Bundung Borehole area, including a door-to-door campaign. When the results came in, we won in all those areas. I had previously mentioned that, politically, it would be challenging for you to assist Barrow. Even in your area of residence, Barrow did not secure a win,” MC Cham Junior said.