By Buba Gagigo
MC Cham Jr., Business Councillor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has urged Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally to prioritize addressing the challenges facing farmers rather than attacking the leadership of KMC. Cham asserted that Mayor Talib Bensouda, like President Barrow, was elected by the people and will only respond to the President—not to his ministers.
“Demba Sabally is not a doctor, and I know him very well because we worked together in GDC (Gambia Democratic Congress) in 2016,” Cham stated. “He was a supporter of GDC, but he stayed in hiding because he was afraid of Yahya Jammeh. He used to call me for campaign updates but only showed his support publicly after Jammeh left. Sabally has a history of division, and I am not surprised by his attacks on Talib Bensouda. This is common in Barrow’s government because Talib is their problem—they are scared of him. But let me make it clear: Talib will only respond to their boss, President Barrow, not to them. Talib was elected, just like Barrow.”
Cham described Minister Sabally’s criticism of KMC as shameful and called the Ministry of Agriculture one of the most underperforming in the country.
“Let him take a look at his own Ministry; it’s one of the most underperforming in the country,” MC Cham Jr. said. “Farmers are struggling, and their cries are being ignored. They haven’t even managed to increase the price of groundnuts. Just consider the digital payment system—it clearly doesn’t benefit the farmers. His top priority should be uplifting agriculture and finding ways to support the farmers.”
Sabally recently labeled the Kanifing Municipality as dirty, prompting Cham to redirect the blame to the Ministry of Environment, which is responsible for environmental management.
“If the Minister is concerned about cleanliness, he should ask his colleague in the Ministry of Environment. The National Environment Agency (NEA) falls under the government, and they are responsible for maintaining cleanliness—not the councils. Why hasn’t Sabally addressed this with the Minister of Environment? This is why nepotism is damaging. Barrow appointed his niece as the Minister of Environment, and now he cannot hold her accountable,” Cham said.
Cham highlighted that similar environmental challenges exist in NPP-led councils, including Barra, Basse, and Kuntaur, but these are often overlooked.
“When Talib mentioned Barra being dirty, the residents confirmed it themselves. The Chairman of the North Bank is from the NPP, and he doesn’t even have a wheelbarrow to work with. Kuntaur Area Council once approached KMC for assistance with a truck. The same applies to Basse. Instead of focusing on Talib and KMC, Sabally should turn his attention to his ministry and address the pressing issues farmers face.”
Cham also criticized the National Roads Authority (NRA) for halting KMC road projects, questioning their motives.
“The NRA has been involved in advising the council on this project from the beginning. Why are they now stopping a project meant to benefit the people? But I know what the problem is—Talib. All of you encouraging Barrow to run for a third term are focusing on petty politics instead of the job at hand. Gambians are done with Barrow. Surveys say 77 percent are dissatisfied, but I can tell you it’s more like 80 percent. People are just waiting for the next election to vote him out.”
Cham concluded by criticizing the fixation on KMC, noting that NPP-led councils face even greater challenges but receive less scrutiny.
“You cannot forget the heavy defeat during the mayoral elections, and that’s why you’re obsessed with KMC. But instead of clinging to this bitterness, you should focus on doing your job and serving the people,” Cham concluded.