By Arret Jatta
National Assembly Member and presidential aspirant Bakary K Badjie has revealed that he was the only parliamentarian to reject a plot of land allocated to members of the National Assembly.
The lawmaker made the disclosure during a TikTok Live interview with The Standard while discussing his political plans ahead of the 5th December presidential election.
During the discussion, he stated: “The National Assembly…the plots of land…they distributed them to all members of parliament, it was only me who rejected it.”
According to the lawmaker, the allocation took place about two months ago, with each member being offered a plot.
Asked why he turned down the land despite being entitled to it, the lawmaker said he did not believe he needed the property.
He argued that other Gambians were more deserving of such an opportunity, especially those struggling to meet their basic needs.
“You are more deserving of that plot of land than myself. When you look at the status, someone who is able to afford an air ticket, to roam the whole of Europe, if you are giving a [free] plot of land to that individual, it makes no sense to me.” he contended.
Badjie who is currently on a European tour said he already has enough lands and harboured no desire to settle in the urban metropolis, noting: “I live in the bush. I have no intention to live in the city.”
He added that he intended to return to his roots as a fisherman, saying his personal interests were secondary to what he described as the national interest.
The Clerk of the National Assembly was contacted to verify the claim and he confirmed that National Assembly Members were allocated land but clarified that the allocation was made by the Ministry of Lands in the Yundum area.