Talib Bensouda, the leader of the Unite Movement for Change and flagbearer of the opposition Coalition 2026 has said if elected, he would scrap the controversial airport fees levied on passengers arriving or departing the airport.
Addressing a rally at Bakoteh on Sunday, Bensouda said he would also reduce living costs for ordinary Gambians and tackle gaps in public services.
He portrayed the airport levy as an unnecessary financial burden on travellers, especially Gambians in the diaspora who regularly return home.
“How can you own a Gambian passport and pay D1000 when entering and leaving your own country? Nobody should be made to pay D1000 for entering or leaving your own country,” he said.
On higher education, the Unite leader said his government would allow university students to begin their studies without paying fees upfront and graduates would repay the government after finding employment.
Reading from the prevailing discontent of university students, Bensouda pledged that his government will address the public transport issue for students, particularly those traveling to the Faraba campus.
He argued that relocating the university without providing adequate services had placed unnecessary pressure on students.
The Unite leader again reiterated that nobody can stop him from contesting this presidential election, accusing government of always conspiring against his political ambition.
“The government came up with a Local Government Commission of Inquiry where it spent up to D200 million just to stop me from contesting. But let me tell you this, nothing can stop me from contesting this presidential election,” he stressed.
