Banjul Central’s Abdoulie Saine reacts to independent aspirant

The National Assembly Member for Banjul Central constituency, Hon. Abdoulie Saine, has reacted to comments by his main challenger in the 29th March parliamentary polls, stressing that Haddijatou Forbes, aspiring independent candidate, must first understand the roles expected to be played by parliamentarians.

Haddijatou Forbes, standing as an independent candidate in Banjul Central constituency, told The Point in an interview Tuesday that she stood as an independent candidate because the current parliamentarian has not brought any meaningful development to his constituency.

“We are the ones who voted for Abdoulie Saine; I am one of those who vigorously campaigned for him, but for the past five years, this man has not brought anything in terms of development for the people of Banjul Central,” Forbes stated.

According to her, the people of Banjul constituency voted in Abdoulie Saine as their representative, and nothing was achieved.

Reacting to the allegations, Hon. Abdoulie Saine of Banjul Central said as National Assembly members, their role is to represent the electorate at the National Assembly, where laws are made.

Saine told The Point that those who implement projects in the constituencies are the ward councillors.

“I am disappointed that she, as an aspirant, claims that she can bring projects and implement them; this leaves much to be desired,” he added.

“We don’t need to be told that it is only the government through the President that can initiate and implement projects. Are we not the ones who advocated for the present projects that are ongoing?” he asked.

Noting that much more development projects are in the pipeline, Hon. Saine added that the electorate cannot build trust on aspirant Haddijatou Forbes because, as he put it, Forbes has no plans for the people of Banjul Central.

“Forbes knows that, as an individual, there is nothing she can do without the government,” he stated, while calling on the people of Banjul Central to think wisely, and vote massively for the APRC party for progress and development.

He also called on the electorate to do away with personal grievances and hatred, and accept reality.