Addressing the well-attended rally, Waan, a journalist cum politician, said the Barrow-led government has embarked on recycling national assets against the interest of Gambians, citing the Gambia government concession agreement with Abayrak on the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA); sale of Mega Bank; recycling of the Senegambia Bridge to Africa 50; sale of Mile II Central Prison to GPA, and the sale of Gamcel 60% to investors.
The Gambia Change Front leader said the sale and recycling of national assets shows the incompetency and un-patriotism of the Gambian leader.
He further told supporters that no serious government will massively embark on recycling and selling state assets.
"A government under the leadership of the Gambia Change Front will empower national assets with the needed finance and human resources to ensure sovereign wealth," he said.
Waan, argued that over the past years, the National Assembly has approved several billions of dalasis to the Ministry of Health, yet the sector continues to deteriorate yearly.
"This shows that Barrow lacks the capability to govern the country," he said.
He told supporters that a government under the Gambia Change Front will fix the Ministry of Health and its satellite institutions.
"We will also make sure the country has adequate health facilities; adequate medication; adequate latest advance medical apparatus and sufficient health personnel to address the health concerns of Gambians," he said.
A government under the Gambia Change Front, he added, will teach farmers new farming techniques; introduce farmers financial scheme; abandon the chemical fertiliser and introduce organic fertiliser; introduce groundnut processing factory; introduce year-round agriculture through river - hinterland irrigation system; establish livestock project and empower vegetable producers to ensure rapid national development.
With regards to the high youth unemployment rate, the Change Front leader said his government will promote industrialisation; provide grants for entrepreneurs; introduce five-year tax-waiver for young entrepreneurs; introduce ten-year tax waiver for rural investors. These programmes, he said will greatly boost youth employment.
Commenting on the president’s meet- the- people tour, Waan reminded that the ultimate goal of the tour is for the President to visit government development projects, listen to citizens’ concerns and come up with measures to address their plights.
However, Mr Waan observed that because of Barrow’s lack of regard for public funds, his administration has spent a whopping D293.8 million of tax-payers money on the Meet-the-People since 2017.
"The Barrow-led government has been manipulating the entire tour, giving platforms to only NPP supporters to praise his weak government. This is a serious concern and needs urgent attention," he added.
Waan noted that a government under the Gambia Change Front would not engage in such reckless overspending of the public funds.
"We would not spend huge amount of money on such a tour, while Gambians live in horrible conditions. Our priority would be the economy, healthcare system, agriculture, education, energy and the living conditions of Gambians. We therefore call on the Barrow-led government to stop the huge budgetary allocation for the tour," he said.
Hatab Jaiteh, spokesperson for the Gambia Change Front Political Movement, said he joined the movement because of its good programmes and policies.
"The Change Front Political Movement has the best programmes and policies in the country. If empowered, the Change Front can bring historic development to the doorsteps of Gambians.
He said the Change Front leader is patriotic, respects his work and committed to national development.
Therefore, he called on the people of Sami, CRR and all Gambians by extension to join all the Gambia Change Front Political Movement.
Sulayman Touray, head of religious affairs for Change Front, said their leader (Mr. Waan) has the capacity to transform the Gambia to a modern state. He noted the manifesto of the political movement shows that the leadership of the movement understands the challenges Gambians face.
"The Change Front and its leadership know the problems facing Gambians, and it has solutions for those problems. So, let’s rally behind Mr Waan so that the current predicaments facing the country are eliminated.
Haruna Jobe, a childhood friend of Sulayman Waan spoke about Waan’s patriotic and committed stance to development since his childhood.
He urged all and sundry to support the Change Front leader.
Hawa Kasseh, member of the movement, also urged all to join Change Front.
Hasimium Sidibeh, resident of Changai Wollof, expressed similar sentiments.
He called on all the people of CRR, particularly residents of Sami Constituency, to rally behind the Movement to see the change people want.
