United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe has accused President Adama Barrow’s administration of failing to improve the living conditions of ordinary Gambians, arguing that true development extends beyond road construction.

Speaking at a political rally in Kiang, Darboe thanked residents for their longstanding support of the UDP, describing the region as one of the party’s strongest political strongholds.

He used the occasion to launch a broad attack on the Barrow administration, saying the government had failed to address the country’s pressing economic challenges despite nearly a decade in office.

“From 1994 to date, the governments we have had are not governments that care about the country and Gambians,” Darboe said.

He argued that national development should focus on improving livelihoods through agriculture, employment, education and healthcare rather than infrastructure projects alone.

“Development is not about building roads. UDP will better the lives of Gambians through agriculture and all other areas,” he said.

Darboe criticised the government’s economic policies, saying salary increases have done little to ease the burden on citizens because inflation continues to erode purchasing power.

“Before increasing salaries under high inflation while forgetting about farmers who rely on agriculture for their living, that is not good government,” he said.

The UDP leader also accused the government of prioritising politics over governance.

“We have a government that is pumping money into their political campaigns and touring the country talking senseless about others while abandoning the mandate they have with Gambians,” he said.

Darboe pledged that a UDP government would focus on improving living standards, strengthening agriculture and creating opportunities for young people.

“This is what UDP will end, and this is your opportunity to end it by voting UDP,” he told supporters.

Calling for greater mobilisation ahead of the December 5 presidential election, Darboe urged supporters to match words with action.

“We cannot remove this government by talking alone. We must put our work into practice by uniting and removing this government on December 5,” he said.

By Adama Makasuba