President Adama Barrow has accused opposition elected officials in Kanifing Municipality of failing to deliver development in Serekunda in the past decade.
Speaking Saturday, October 17, 2026, during his Meet the People Tour in Serekunda, Barrow said voters elected him as President in Serekunda but continue to elect opposition Mayors, Councillors and National Assembly Members who refuse to work with central government.
"There is nothing you can point to here in Serekunda, within the KMC area, that has been done by others for the benefit of the people. If you know of even one project carried out by someone else here in the past ten years, tell me," Barrow said.
"The opposition National Assembly members, what have they done for you? The opposition councillors, what have they done? And the highest-ranking councillor, the mayor, what has he done? Nothing. It is all empty talk."
Barrow said governance requires partnership and mistakes of past political cycles must be corrected by electing people willing to collaborate.
He accused KMC officials of prioritizing display over service.
"Those elected were elected to work for the people. Not to drive expensive vehicles or wear expensive haftans," he said.
He said all visible development in Serekunda was delivered by his government, citing road works in Ebo Town, New Jeshwang, Kanifing, Bundung, Latrikunda, London Corner, Kotu, Abuko and around Serekunda Sandika, plus schools built in Bakau, Jeshwang, Serekunda and Latrikunda.
Barrow criticised revenue measures at Serekunda Market, including toilet fees and payment for waste collection, saying no council in Gambian history had charged households for waste collection.
He also cautioned youth against being used for protests, saying those who pay for demonstrations do not bring their own children to the frontlines.
He announced plans to replace old water pipes to ensure 24-hour water and electricity in Serekunda within six months, rehabilitate more roads, and sign a major cleaning contract by end-October to decommission Bakoteh dumpsite for a landfill and recycling system where residents can sell recyclables.
He also proposed redeveloping the dumpsite into a modern garage and market to decongest Serekunda, framing the December 5 election as a choice between continuity and going backwards.