President Adama Barrow has responded to criticism that he is holidaying in his home village while some parts of the country are devastated by floods.

Last weekend, record-breaking rain flooded areas in the Greater Banjul Area and other places in the country. 

The president said he was following events and that his government has provided relief support to flood victims. 

“Some people said I am in Mankamang Kunda, and I am here touring the flood affected areas in Banjul.”

On Sunday, Barrow visited flood-hit areas in Banjul alongside mayor Rohey Lowe and Hadim Gai, the contractor overseeing the Banjul infrastructure project. 

Lowe told Barrow during the tour to work closely with her office to prevent the recurrence of last weekend’s devastating floods. 

She said: “I have told him several times that my interest is to see Banjul develop. If it works, it works for all of us because we are the leaders here. 

“If this fails, they will criticise us. They are criticising the president and the mayor for this problem. Leadership is hard especially for me as a lady mayor.”

Lowe added: “As you always yarn for Banjul to always be clean which you have told me on several occasions. So, I am appealing to Hadim in your presence on the project. Let us buy the equipment. The council does not have the financial capacity to buy it.” 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba