By Buba Gagigo
Hon. Mama Kandeh, Secretary General and Party Leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has expressed his disapproval of the plan to construct a $28 million hospital at State House in Banjul.
During President Barrow’s recent visit to China for the FOCAC summit in Beijing, President Xi Jinping pledged 200 million RMB (nearly D2 billion) to support The Gambia’s development efforts, including building a hospital at State House.
“I understand that China wants to build a hospital costing 28 million dollars. I want to thank China for the gesture but in my belief, they can build a hospital in all of the country except the State House. Maybe they could have a better reason, they are able to convince me I will accept but until I am convinced I will hold on that it is not necessary to build a hospital in the State House. Is not that I hate President Barrow or the people working there and if I was selfish I would have supported it because I might also be in that position one day. I said this because I am a party leader and looking for the presidency and there is a possibility for me to be president one day. If that happens I will be at the State House with my family but that is not my reason,” Kandeh said.
“I understand that China wants to build a hospital costing $28 million. I appreciate the gesture, but I believe they should build a hospital anywhere in the country except the State House. Unless they can provide a convincing reason, I will maintain that it is unnecessary to build a hospital there. It’s not that I dislike President Barrow or the people working there. If I were selfish, I would support it because I might be in that position one day. As a party leader and a presidential candidate, I could be at the State House with my family, but that is not my reason,” Kandeh stated.
The GDC leader urged President Adama Barrow to inspect the current hospitals in The Gambia before making a decision.
“I want the president to personally visit the hospitals and see their poor conditions. He should understand what citizens face daily in these hospitals. Barrow and his cabinet have the option to seek treatment abroad, but how many Gambians have that opportunity? Perhaps only one in a thousand,” Kandeh added.
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