The Gambia's VP Muhammad Jallow supported the presidential office taking control of McCarthy Square from the Banjul City Council. He stated clearly that the square actually belongs to the national government, not the city. The council failed to manage it properly for many years. Jallow believes his team must step in to fix things up.
Mayor Rohey Lowe hit back hard, describing the action as an attack on the capital itself. Local representatives jumped into the fight during a recent National Assembly meeting. Lawmakers Modou Bah and Abdoulie Nja both urged the government to back off completely. They wanted the square returned to city control right away.
VP Jallow remembered raising concerns with the mayor during his previous job as Secretary General. He wanted them to work as partners because the government had invested serious money in the area. He kept his comments brief but firm about who really controls the property. The facts show the square never legally belonged to the city council.
Jallow mentioned that the government might consider different management options for the square. He pointed out that cricket remains the only official game played there through the years. Football happens informally when people just show up to play. Jallow grew up nearby and recalled seeing cricket scoreboards near the State House side of the square. He finished by saying they welcome ideas about better ways to run the place.
Mayor Rohey Lowe hit back hard, describing the action as an attack on the capital itself. Local representatives jumped into the fight during a recent National Assembly meeting. Lawmakers Modou Bah and Abdoulie Nja both urged the government to back off completely. They wanted the square returned to city control right away.
VP Jallow remembered raising concerns with the mayor during his previous job as Secretary General. He wanted them to work as partners because the government had invested serious money in the area. He kept his comments brief but firm about who really controls the property. The facts show the square never legally belonged to the city council.
Jallow mentioned that the government might consider different management options for the square. He pointed out that cricket remains the only official game played there through the years. Football happens informally when people just show up to play. Jallow grew up nearby and recalled seeing cricket scoreboards near the State House side of the square. He finished by saying they welcome ideas about better ways to run the place.
