Damage to Gambians should not be politicized – Mayor Bensouda

The president’s visit without prior notice to the KM mayor sparked controversy among municipal residents, with some expressing dissatisfaction and disappointment.

The mayor stated that damage to Gambians cannot be politicised. “This is not a party issue, it's a national issue, when there's a disaster, what we must do is put our politics partisanship aside and come together as Gambians to solve the problem,” he said in a Friday press conference, while criticising some politician for trying to score some “cheap political” points over a national disaster.

“The head of State has visited the Sandika. I would have personally liked to be there but just to put the record straight, KMC was not informed officially,” he affirmed.

“I was not informed officially of his visit. It is never our intention to have the president visit any of our installations without me, the head of the region and the mayor of the council being on the ground. So we urge them moving forward to ensure there's effective communication sent in a timely manner to the council so the head of the municipality in my person will be on the ground to receive him and also give the council's perspective,” he stated.

“We should come together as leaders to help our people. Nevertheless, KMC will continue to work with all stakeholders, including The Gambia government and its agencies, the head of state himself and the Office of the President, to ensure we continuously improve market infrastructure to ensure our citizens sell in a safe manner.”

“We are doing everything humanely possible to ensure that moving forward the victims can go back to their businesses as soon as possible to feed their families and to help their loved ones.”