By Buba Gagigo
A pressure group known as The Voice of Lower Fulladu Protest Group has voiced frustration over what they perceive as continued neglect by President Adama Barrow’s administration. The group, which advocates for the rights and development of Fulladu, has publicly criticized the government for failing to address their needs.
“We are not happy about the way we have been neglected. This is why we want you, Mr. President, and all your advisers to take note of the situation. Whoever tells you that the people of Fulladu are happy is fooling you,” a representative of the group stated in an interview on the Issues Matters YouTube channel.
In response to these allegations, the National Assembly Member for Lower Fulladu, Hon. Gibbi Mballow, dismissed the protest group as politically motivated rather than a genuine pressure group.
“I just heard this on an audio recording, so I don’t see it as a pressure group. I see it as an individual or a group of people exercising their democratic freedom to express their views. But if they claim to be a pressure group, they must seek the right authorities to get factual information,” Mballow argued.
He defended the Barrow administration, stating that since independence in 1965, Lower Fulladu has seen unprecedented development under the current government.
“When I was elected, the people of Fulladu’s main concern was the Jahally Pacharr rice fields. Today, significant developments have taken place in that area. For instance, all the water gates in Jahally fields have been repaired. Additionally, this administration has addressed post-harvest losses by providing harvesters and other agricultural machinery, including boats capable of operating in various conditions. If anyone claims that Lower Fulladu is neglected, that is misleading,” he stated.
Echoing Mballow’s sentiments, Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally acknowledged the concerns raised but assured residents that the government is committed to development in the region.
“The electricity expansion plan has been ongoing, but some communities were not covered in the first phase. The assessment was conducted as far back as 2019-2020, and implementation is happening now. However, we are aware of the challenges and have a comprehensive list of villages still in need of coverage,” Sabally explained.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all communities in The Gambia, including those in Lower Fulladu, will have electricity by the end of 2025, as promised by President Barrow.
“This is a democratic and caring government. We acknowledge their concerns, and we will engage with them to clarify that they are not being ignored. Their needs will be addressed in the coming phases,” Sabally concluded.