29/07/2025
๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ-๐ฅ๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฎโ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐: ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ.
On behalf of ๐๐ฟ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ท๐๐น, a movement committed to the sustainability of Banjul, especially in environmental governance, we feel compelled to address the recent disturbing revelations from the Local Government Commissions exposing a deeply entrenched system of corruption within The Gambiaโs local councils. These revelations have shaken public trust and highlight an urgent need for systemic reform.
Among the most disturbing disclosures are the malpractices within Banjul City Council BCC which directly impact the sustainability and environmental integrity of the capital city. Many people with conscience are profoundly offended by the blatant compromise displayed by the city council. The scandal involving the sale of a 100 by 100 square meter plot through Chabel with a hike price of a staggering 20 million dalasis transactions is not only shocking but also mind-boggling. Despite repeated engagements with council officials, we were met with evasive responses and blame-shifting. The council claimed ignorance and blamed the central government for issuing the land; yet investigations confirm that the council itself was complicit, issuing the plot without transparency or accountability. This constitutes a major breach of trust by the 2018-2022 council.
On June 22nd, 2022, The Arr Banjul Movement, together with some environmental activists, organised what we called an awareness-raising Monday to โDE-INDUSTRIALISE THE TANBI WETLAND IN BANJULโ following major flash floods in Banjul. After this disaster, many questions arose, including who was responsible for such an inconsiderate decision of allocating land at the Tanbi wetland. Neither the central government nor the local authorities were willing to take responsibility. However, the picture is now clear: the very institution that is meant to be our shield; the local government councils, are the ones engaging in these dubious activities.
The ongoing Commissionโs findings have provided irrefutable evidence of irregularities and endemic corruption within the Banjul City Council. These revelations expose how fragile our administrative systems are, where individuals wield disproportionate power, undermining the very institutions they serve. Weak leadership, epitomised by figures like Mustapha Batchilly, has reduced the council to mere "rubber stamps" endorsing questionable deals without scrutiny.
Furthermore, the mismanagement under Mayor Rohey Loweโs administration, particularly regarding the controversial allocations in the Tanbi wetlands, represents a grave disappointment and an environmental threat. The activities of corruption, including widespread misappropriations, often severely weakened the councilโs ability to meet its recurrent costs, such as staff salaries. While some individuals steal millions of public resources undeservingly, hardworking staff members face difficulties accessing what is rightfully theirs. This glaring injustice is a betrayal of public trust and a serious obstacle to effective local governance.
As concerned citizens and young people, we echo the calls of people of conscience, hoping transparency, justice, and reform will soon be ushered. The ongoing theft of public funds, often justified under personal circumstances, is a disgrace to the integrity of public service. Even those entrusted with safeguarding council finances, such as finance directors, are implicated, underscoring the systemic nature of the corruption.
As we follow the Local Government Commission closely, we hope their recommendations will bring transformative changes, where public finance is restored, and legal provisions become the guiding principles rather than the harmful norm of โthis is what we met here,โ a culture where a few individuals compromise the general welfare. We must restore integrity to our councils, ensuring accountability, sustainability, and justice for all Gambians.
๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
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