Banjul has become the only capital city in Africa, where both the city’s mayor and the country’s president are non-residents.

The duo’s decision to live outside Banjul continues to spark criticism among Banjulians.

A prominent youth leader told What’s On-Gambia: “How can you be responsive to the needs of the country’s only capital city when you live far away. I believe when you are representing people you have to live with them and know what exactly they are facing.”

According to a source close to the Office of the President, Barrow has no plans to move to the State House anytime soon. He wants to remain at the former Vice President, Dr Isatou Njie Saidy’s residence in Fajara.

For the mayor of Banjul, Abdoulie Bah, he lives in Bakoteh but has his office at the Banjul City Council (BCC).

 “Banjul has bad roads and poor sanitation, so the president needs to come and live in the city to be able to know exactly the problems we are encountering,” said the youth leader.

He added that the absence of the president is affecting business at the Albert Market.