By Momodou Justice Darboe
The governor of Central River Region said he was deeply embarrassed by the actions of the youths of his region in attempting to obstruct the motorcade of President Adama Barrow over claims of lack of vehicles, food and other welfare issues as the President continues his country-wide tour.
There were embarrassing scenes on Thursday at Laminkoto/Janjanbureh ferry crossing when scores of youths attempted to barricade the President’s motorcade from moving from the ferry-crossing and governor Abba Sanyang of CRR lamented that the development was a collective shame for the people of his region but that the lion’s share of the embarrassment was his.
Amateur footages of the development surfaced on some social media platforms on Thursday and early Friday morning and governor Sanyang could be heard telling the youths that President Barrow did not deserve such treatment from them, considering his station.
He told the infuriated throngs of youth that the governor’s office has always maintained the lines of communication open and has always given them the opportunity to speak up and out.
The youth, some of whom could be heard threatening to abandon the President on his tour, were among some of the people mobilized by regional authorities in CRR to welcome the President on his visit to their region.
But they have bitterly complained that they were being treated in a care-free manner and the resultant exasperation and frustrations led them to take the decision of trying to obstruct the President’s cavalcade and prevent him from entering deeper into CRR North.
And the governor of CRR admits that he was utterly disappointed in and embarrassed by the youths.
“President Barrow is such an important person that he shouldn’t be obstructed. It is not the President that you embarrassed but me. I invited you with the sole aim of making the President feel at home here[CRR] but not otherwise.
“We did not receive any money in CRR for food. Nobody give us anything. It’s not only Barrow who needs you but you also need him so that you can talk to him about your challenges. I understand your problems, regarding vehicle and food but you cannot vent these frustrations on the President.’’
Governor Sanyang added: ‘’ I was at your lodgings yesterday and you informed me that you’ve all eaten well. So, don’t accuse me. I know your problem is vehicle and I’ll take care of that. I know this is youthful exuberance but please don’t allow this to happen again. My doors are always open.’’
But the youths however admitted that they’d earlier intended to meet the governor over the locomotion problem and related issues but that lack of organization among them resulted in their actions. They then apologized to the governor for any inconvenience that their action may cause.
