By Ismaila Sonko & Maria Lopes
August 25, 2021
A Gambian based in Belgium has accused the Mayoress of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, of failing to implement development projects in Banjul worth three million Euros (€3 000 000.00).
Lolly Fofana, who lives and works in Ostend City, also alleged that the Banjul Mayoress said she is waiting for the United Democratic Party (UDP) to come to power before implementing the projects.
She further alleged that Rohey Lowe is yet to account for the eleven million dalasi (D11 000 000.00) she took from Ostend City.
Ms Fofana said the Belgian city has been collaborating with the Gambian capital city under the City Link Ostend-Banjul partnership for more than 10 years.
According to her, Rohey Malick Lowe came to Ostend City to appeal for funding for some projects involving Gambian women and also to renovate Crab Island Secondary School in Banjul.
Her words: “Since then Rohey didn’t do the job because she came here more than a year ago, before [the advent of] Covid-19, to sign the documents and it was approved that the money be given to her, but we didn’t hear from her.
“A colleague of mine came complaining about Rohey, that she didn’t do anything about the €3 000 000.00 projects and they are not happy about it. He felt that their efforts [raising the funds] are all in vain because Rohey didn’t do anything and now is the perfect time to question her about the projects but she didn’t respond to them.”
Ms Fofana revealed that when she contacted Mayoress Lowe, the latter said she is waiting for ‘her government’ to come to power, which is the UDP. She said as a result of the delay, her colleague, Peter, insisted it is too late to use the funds now, and even if Rohey claims the money it will not be given to her considering that the two-year contract for implementation of the projects, which was signed, will expire on 31st December 2021.
“It is disheartening to note that Rohey could not do anything about the €3 000 000.00 meant for Gambians despite all our hard work and paper work just to see that this money is judiciously spent. We are open to suggestions from all Gambians or anyone else who can help us with ideas on how to approach her for questioning,” she further stated.
She said they are ready to go to the National Assembly to present the documents on why Rohey Lowe didn’t use the money meant for Gambians so that it will be taken from her. She intimated that they have asked all the partners involved to give them more time so they can discuss the issue with the president because they need a solution to the problem.
She vowed that all other projects will be stopped as long as Rohey Lowe remains the Mayoress of Banjul, as they will not work with her anymore.
Ms Fofana finally urged Gambians to ask Rohey Lowe about the eleven million dalasi (D11 000 000.00) she took from Ostend City and give it back to Banjulians in form of development.
Meanwhile, when The Progress Newspaper tried to contact Rohey Lowe to shed light on the allegations leveled against her, we were told by her office that she cannot be reached at the moment, as she is in isolation after contracting Corona Virus.
