By Tabora Bojang
The leader of the Peoples Reformist Organisation for Growth, Renewal, Equity, Security and Social Justice (PROGRESS), Amadou Jaiteh, has called on President Adama Barrow and his government to understand that development, in its true sense, is not a campaign tool but a responsibility.
In a write up shared with The Standard , Jaiteh argued that no serious observer would question the importance of improved transport systems or expanded access to electricity but the issue at hand is not the value of these developments, but their timing, framing and the broader implications for governance.
He stated that development should not be “episodic” but guided by a “steady, predictable, and by long-term” national planning.
“Yet, what we are witnessing raises a legitimate concern: why has such momentum emerged now, after years of delay in some of these same sectors? Take, for example, the recently introduced ferry boat. While presented as a major achievement of the Barrow administration, it is important to recognise that it was funded through external grants. Such projects are the result of international partnerships intended for public benefit. They are not political gifts, nor should they be framed as personal milestones of leadership,” Jaiteh charged.
He continued: “Similarly, the renewed urgency in rural electrification, an issue that has persisted for years, appears to have gained traction only recently. This naturally leads to a simple but necessary question: why now? This is not an accusation. It is a matter of governance. When development becomes concentrated around politically significant periods, it risks sending the wrong message to citizens. Essential services such as electricity, infrastructure, and transport begin to appear as rewards tied to timing, rather than rights guaranteed by the state. Over time, this erodes the foundation of accountability and shifts governance toward perception rather than performance.”
According to PROGRESS leader, government exists to serve the people “consistently, not selectively,” adding that development should not depend on political calendars but embedded in systems that function regardless of electoral cycles. “This moment also raises a broader question about leadership and precedent. In emerging democracies, the strength of governance is measured not only by what is delivered, but by how it is delivered. Systems, consistency and institutional integrity, all matter. President Barrow now stands at a critical juncture—not only in his administration, but in shaping the expectations of governance in The Gambia. Will development continue to follow a structured, policy-driven approach, or will it remain vulnerable to political timing?” he concluded.
