Mr. Ben Suwareh informed AG Radio on Sunday evening that the claims made by Mbemba Drammeh concerning the manipulations and electoral fraud of the 2021 Presidential elections require thorough examination. Mbemba was not the first to express these concerns. What is the reason for his emergence now after three years? Is he feeling let down by the NPP-led government, or did the NPP not fulfil a job promise made to him?
If these claims hold true, this situation extends beyond Mbemba and NPP; it indicates that the government under President Barrow has breached the constitution and the rights of all Gambians. Numerous political party leaders and many reputable Gambians continue to believe that the 2021 presidential elections were manipulated in favour of President Barrow. The people of Gambia have a right to the truth, and if the government does not take this case to court, it will mean that Mbemba is vindicated. However, the public has a right to know the identities of the other six individuals implicated in the election rigging, as stated by Mbemba Drammeh.
The Gambia government allocated nearly D3 billion on vehicles, maintenance, fuel and lubricant since 2020, suggesting a greater emphasis on luxurious cars over agriculture. There is significant corruption associated with these vehicle purchases, as they receive millions in kickbacks from these transactions. Mr. Suwareh stated that it revolves around kickbacks, with TK Motors and others at the core of this grand corruption.
The government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, approved a draft vehicle policy in 2021. This policy will establish guidelines for the procurement, operations, maintenance, disposal, and overall administration of government vehicles. Nevertheless, there has been minimal discussion regarding the policy, which aims to guarantee that all government vehicles are registered and allocated number plates. The proposed policy mandated the centralisation of all government vehicles under a department of transportation, which would be responsible for their maintenance and administration.
Regarding QMoney and the Gambia groundnut farmers, Mr. Suwareh emphasises that Gambians should approach this government scheme with caution, as it mandates that groundnut farmers receive their payments through QMoney. Muhammad Jah is the owner of both QMoney and Qgroup. A more cunning plan is hidden within the agreement between President Barrow and Muhammad Jah and the farmers. The plan of the government is to place all farmers under a data control system managed by Muhammed Jah. According to Mr. Suwareh, this data could potentially be utilised in the upcoming presidential elections to influence and manipulate the outcome in favour of President Adama Barrow.
The Gambia Government needs to ensure that funds are allocated to the farmers and that farmers receive payment for their diligent efforts. For the government to implement such a scheme, it is essential to ensure thorough sensitisation and public awareness. Many farmers lack understanding of how digital payments function, which makes them susceptible to this approach.
