Bakary Manneh, leader of the government sanctioned operation clear the roads, has lashed out at the councils for failing to support their work amid growing row over the demolition operation.

Mr Manneh and his team have come under heavy criticism for clearing the roads of illegal structures. Critics of the operation described it as “illegally executed”.

However, reacting to the criticism, Manneh said: “I would say the councils failed us. And now they are going around using women to blame others. It’s their responsibility to construct roads, but they are now running away from blame.”

His reaction comes barely a week since his team clashed with roadside vendors at Brikama resulting to police in riot gears allegedly teargassing angry vendors.

Police chief Seedy Mukhtar Touray had to travel to the town to broker peace between the demolition team and vendors.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba