Controversy rocks Sanyang VDC amidst allegations of corrupt practices, nepotism and ineffectiveness

By Sulayman Waan

Series of controversies are emanating from the coastal settlement of Sanyang where the Village Development Committee has come under sharp criticism from members of the community in both home and abroad calling for the immediate dissolution of the Committee. They cited allegations of corrupt practices, employment of close family members of the VDC chairman at Sanyang Eco-lodge, sales of landed property belonging to the community, among others.

The allegations against the VDC are contained in a petition letter send to the Brikama Area Council (BAC) by Sanyang Development Fund (SDF), Sanyang UK Association (SUKA) and partners.

Scores of aggrieved natives who spoke to this medium accused the Sanyang VDC of lack of obedience to the constitution of the community and Local Government Act, arguing that the current VDC lacks the capacity to steer the affairs of the community.

The allegations also came on the heels of a letter issued to the VDC by BAC on 14th July, 2025, urging the committee to conduct its Annual General Meeting (AGM) not later than end of July, 2025 as well as a 15th July, 2025 petition letter issued by Sanyang Development Fund and Sanyang UK Association who have also called for the immediate dissolution of the Sanyang VDC.

The series of allegations levelled against the Sanyang Village Development Committee includes: disrespectful and abusive communications by the VDC chairman, the committee’s persistent refusal to convene its AGM, refusal to engage with community leadership, systematic disregard of official correspondence, public endorsement of contested activities of GACH Mining Company; unauthorised government delegation visit and foundation stone laying, improper employment practices at Sanyang Eco Lodge; unauthorised replacement of the Sanyang Deep Sea Port Steering Committee Members, disregard to Sanyang village constitution and continued abusive and hostile communications.

“Despite the clear directives of the Local Government Act, the Sanyang VDC has undertaken significant decisions including the sale and/or lease of village landed properties and discussions related to the proposed Sanyang Deep Seaport project without any consultation with the Sanyang community. Since their inauguration into office in November 2023, the Sanyang VDC has consistently failed to act in the best interest of the people of Sanyang and has neglected to consult the community on decisions and activities they have undertaken,” Sidat Saidy, SDF Secretary General disclosed.

He added: “The VDC chairman Abdoulie Botto Gaye is alleged to have received an undisclosed amount of money from the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) on behalf of the Sanyang community for reasons that have never been disclosed. These funds have never been accounted for to the people of Sanyang raising serious concerns about financial transparency, potential misappropriation and fiduciary responsibility,” he added.

The SDF Secretary General also alleged that the VDC chairman is engaged in the dissemination of series of insolent, disrespectful, and verbally abusive WhatsApp audio messages, containing derogatory remarks directed at members of the Sanyang Development Fund (SDF) and the Sanyang Diaspora community. He went on to say that Mr Gaye’s messages were prompted by legitimate community criticism regarding its decision to exclusively credit GACH Global Mining Company and its CEO Abubacar Jawara the construction of the Sanyang Health Centre Waiting Shed building.

He disclosed that chairman Gaye deliberately omitted the significant financial contributions from other key sponsors such as the Sanyang UK Association (SUKA) that contributed D55,815.40 and Alkalo Lamin Jabang who also contributed D25,000 towards the project, noting that the chairman has also been engaging in direct communication meetings with officials of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) regarding the Sanyang Deep Sea Port without the approval of villagers.

“It is unfortunate that the VDC chairman is allegedly selling/leasing landed property belonging to the community to one Alagie Conteh of Gunjur, or an individual introduced by him, for the sum of Three Million Dalasi (D3,000,000). This transaction occurred without any consultation with the Sanyang community. Details of this D3 million have never been disclosed to the people of Sanyang despite numerous demands from the community,” SG SDF further explained.

He added: “This action of the VDC Chairman represents a significant breach of trust, potential illegal disposition of communal assets, and a grave lack of transparency. The Sanyang Development Fund (SDF), in its commitment to accountability and transparency, dispatched three (3) formal letters to the chairman of Sanyang VDC concerning: (i) reforms to the Sanyang VDC, (ii) the environmental damage caused by GACH and Abubacarr Jawara’s mining activities, and (iii) the Fishmeal Mill Factory at Sanyang beach but to date no reply is forthcoming.”

Another prominent community leader who prefers to remain anonymous disclosed that the VDC chairman has also made several TV and Radio appearances openly praising GACH, following The Republic Newspaper’s exposure of GACH mining destructions along their coastline, noting that these public endorsements directly contradicted the Sanyang Development Fund’s intention to pursue legal action against Abubacarr Jawara and GACH Global Mining, demonstrating a clear misalignment with community interests and a potential conflict.

He also criticised the VDC chairman of inviting GPA to an unannounced meeting held in Sanyang on Thursday, June 19, 2025, to discuss the laying of the Sanyang Deep Sea Port’s foundation stone by President Barrow without informing the Deep-Sea Port Task Force or the community of Sanyang, adding that he has also hosted an unauthorised Government Delegation Visit and Foundation Stone Laying of the Sanyang Deep Sea Port without the knowledge of the DSP Steering Committee Members.

Among other critical issues addressed in the petition includes Sanyang VDC chairman Abdoulie Botto Gaye appointing himself as manager at the Sanyang Eco Lodge, while wrongfully dismissing existing staff and subsequently employing 4 to 5 of his immediate family members without adherence to any due process or proper recruitment procedures.

“These actions constitutes a blatant act of nepotism, a misuse of authority and a clear violation of ethical employment standards,” he concluded.

SW/COB/25/07/25