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By: The Fatu Network News Desk
Brikama Area Council (BAC) Chairman Yankuba Darboe has accused President Adama Barrow of abusing state power after authorities ordered the council to halt ongoing beautification works in Brikama.
In a public post shared today, Darboe said the council had received an official notice from the Department of Physical Planning directing it to stop what authorities described as beautification works in the town.
“The Brikama Area Council, which is the planning authority of the West Coast Region, has today been issued with a notice by the department of physical planning to STOP what they describe as the beautification works of Brikama,” Darboe wrote.
He alleged that BAC was being unfairly targeted, describing the move as politically motivated: “It has to be noted that no other area council has been subjected to this nonsense except us, because of political witch-hunt we have been subjected to since being elected into office as the Chairman of BAC,” he said.
Darboe also declared that the council would continue the works despite the directive: “Please note that we will not stop work and will continue work until what consequences destined for us! We are ready to die doing what we have sworn to do to develop our region!” he wrote.
He further accused the presidency of using state authority against the council, stating: “We will stand our ground and there will be no retreat or surrender to President Adama Barrow his abuse of powers against our council!”
Alongside the statement, Darboe shared a document titled “Emergency Notice to Stop Work,” dated March 5th 2026 and issued by the Department of Physical Planning.
The notice states that authorities were satisfied that works being carried out in Brikama constituted unauthorised development and contravened the Development Regulations of 1995. It specifically refers to the “making of a beautification without a development permit on site.”
The document orders BAC to cease the works immediately and report to the Principal Development Control Officer of the West Coast Region Planning Authority within 24 hours.
It also warns that failure to comply could result in court action or demolition of the structures, noting that continuing development without a permit may attract a fine of D2000 per day or a prison term of up to two years.
