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Claim: KMC, led by Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, has not built a single road in Kanifing Municipality over the past 8 years.
Verdict: The claim that the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has not constructed any road in 8 years is false.
Full Text
Seedy S. K Njie, the deputy speaker of The Gambia’s National Assembly, and Dr Demba Sabally, the agriculture minister, have stated that opposition Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda has not built any roads in Kanifing Municipality in eight years.
Njie and Sabally made these statements during a by-election campaign meeting in Kiang Masembeh, a village in the Lower River Region.
“KMC, under the leadership of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Mayor, has not constructed even 200 meters of road in eight years,” Njie said. (Watch from 3:37 seconds onwards)
Dr Sabally also remarked, “Talib Ahmed Bensouda has not built a single road in KM in eight years.”
Verification
As the claims began to spread on social media, DUBAWA sought to conduct a fact check to verify the accuracy of the statements made by the Deputy Speaker and the Minister of Agriculture.
We contacted sources at the Kanifing Municipal Council, including a ward councillor, who labelled the claims as false.
Our investigation reveals that on April 16, 2019, KMC, under Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, commenced the construction of a 400-meter Latrikunda-Serrekunda road, which was completed later the same year.
“KMC constructed a 400-meter Latrikunda-Serrekunda road, which Talib Ahmed Bensouda built for 4 million dalasi,” said Momodou Cham, a nominated councillor.
Last year, KMC signed a D300 million project with Longjian Roads and Bridges Company to construct 11 feeder roads within the municipality.
Our research also reveals that conflict between the council and the central government hinders some of the projects. The council had on several occasions accused the central government of frustrating their projects.
In a January publication by the Standard Newspaper, the KMC mayor said they are working on taking the central government to court for not providing the council with subvention since the first came into power in 2018.
Despite the slow pace, KMC has initiated several road projects that are underway.
Picture of KMC Road Project Signing (PC: KMC)
“The three-year project will encompass the construction of 11 strategic roads, two bridges, and the entire drain network of Bakau Town,” KMC mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda said.
Work has commenced on some of these roads.
Bakau New Town Road (PC: KMC)
However, the council faces challenges and has accused the National Roads Authority of hindering their projects.
In a December publication in the Kerr Fatou online media, the National Road Authority denied the allegations, saying they would collaborate with any entity to ensure standards are maintained in road construction. Recently, the council also handed over the construction of four roads to a contractor, some of which are underway. See here for the roads.
Conclusion
The claim that Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda has not constructed a single road in KM in 8 years is false. The council constructed, under the leadership of the opposition mayor, a 400-meter road (Latrikunda-Serekunda road) in 2019.
