Claim: KMC cannot show any single market, school, or road that it built under Talib
Bensouda.
Verdict: False.
Full Text:
The claim by Bakary Badjie, the Minister of Youth and Sports, that the
Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) under the leadership of Mayor Talib Ahmed
Bensouda cannot show a single market, school, or road they built is false. Evidence
shows that KMC has built markets, roads, and educational facilities.
Speaking at a recent joint meeting part of the nationwide constitutional Meet The
People Tour’ in Bakau, Bakary Y. Badjie, the Minister of Youth and Sports, stated that
the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), under the leadership of Mayor Talib Ahmed
Bensouda has not built a single market, road, or school since taking office in 2018.
“The current KMC can’t tell you a single market, school, or road they built in 8 years,”
he stated. “All the markets, roads, and schools were built by previous mayors.”
Minister Badjie further claims that all the markets, schools, and roads, among other
developments within the council were done by previous mayors Abdoulie Conteh and late Yankuba Colley. This statement has since sparked public discussion regarding the accuracy of the
minister’s assertions as it has the potential to mislead the public and undermine the
council’s current development process.
Verification:
To verify the authenticity of Minister Badjie’s claim which has already sparked
controversy on social media and news outlets, InfoChecked decided to investigate and
find out the facts. Our researcher had access to various documents regarding developments undertaken by the council over the years. We reviewed these documents, account transactions, and photographic evidence of complete infrastructure projects by the council.
The review shows that the Minister’s statement is false, as KMC has completed several
major projects in markets, roads, and educational infrastructure, though no completely
new schools have been built.
Evidence demonstrates that the claim concerning markets is inaccurate.
Under Mayor Talib Bensouda, KMC constructed and inaugurated the Latrikunda
Sabiji Market, a double-shed facility with concrete tables, at a total cost of D2.4 million,
executed by contractor MJ20.
Photographs and account transactions confirm its completion. KMC also constructed
the Tallinding Gilifity Kunda Market, funded at D3.8 million and executed by Scope
Enterprise, with full documentation through project records and photos.
These developments clearly contradict the Minister’s claim that KMC has not built any
markets.
On educational infrastructure, the Minister’s statement is partially accurate.
No new schools have been built under KMC, however, significant investments have
been made to improve educational facilities.
The Charles Jow Memorial Academy is currently receiving the largest public school hall
in The Gambia, supported by KMC account records with D15 million allocated and if
ready will host 1200 students.
Additionally, KMC inaugurated The Gambia’s first municipal library alongside the
Office of Public Information under the EU-funded Kanifing Environmental Transformation Programme (KETP).
These projects provide substantial support to the educational sector and young
educators. Below is an attachment of various projects including roads, schools, and markets
constructed by the council under the leadership of Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
Road infrastructure also contradicts the Minister’s statement. KMC account records
and project documentation confirm the construction and rehabilitation of multiple
municipal roads, improving access and connectivity across the municipality.
Firstly, these records demonstrate that KMC has been actively contributing to public
infrastructure, contrary to the Minister’s assertion.
Notably, on the 8th November 2022, a 15% part payment was made for the
construction of the Kotu quarry market with D295,579.87.
Also, on the 2nd of February 2023, the second payment of D689,686.37 for the
construction Kotu quarry market.
Conclusion:
Based on evidence gathered by InfoCheck, the claim by Bakary Y. Badjie, the Minister
of Youth and Sports that “the current KMC can’t tell you a single market, school, or
road they built” suggesting that no such developments have been done by the council is
false and is intended to mislead the public and undermine the council’s development efforts.
By Ebrima Mbye