By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow has said that Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) has expanded its operations now instead of handling only one or two ships at a time, they are now working round the clock and handling up to five ships at a time. This, he said, has reduced congestion at the port and more ships are coming.
President Barrow made the disclosure on Wednesday November 21st during meetings held in Kaur, Lower Saloum and Njau, Upper Saloum in Central river region in his ongoing ‘meet-the-people tour’.
He told his audience that when he came to power, the salaries of civil servants was increase by 50% while salaries of c chiefs went up three fold. He assured the people of Lower Saloum that most of their requests will be looked into and addressed.
Tourism and Culture Minister Hamat Bah highlighted that there is no tribalism in Lower Saloum and there are not more than three Mandinka villages. The rest of the villages representing the majority, he said, are Fula and Wolof. He tasked the majority of people in Lower Saloum work hard for the collective development of the area. He called on them to take advantage of the new opportunities provided by the new government.
He encouraged the people to support President Barrow while reminding them to be tolerant and united in their efforts to develop the country which, he said, belongs to all Gambians.
Lands and Regional Governments Minister Musa Drammeh revealed that during the era of President Jawara’s government, 20% commission was allocated to Alkalolus but it was reduced to 10% under Yahya Jammeh. However, when President Adama Barrow came to power, the commission was increased.
Agriculture Minister Amie Fabureh said a few months ago, the government brought the rice value chain project to this area and this will help farmers in their production especially rice. She dilated on the importance of the then Gambia Produce Marketing Board (GPMB) and said its revival will be helpful in the creation of employment opportunities for young people in the area. This, she noted, is part of the government’s efforts to revive GPMB in Kaur.
Minister Fabureh also reminded that they are aware of this year’s poor rains and said staff of the ministry are conducting an assessment. She assured that they will an accurate report about farming activities this year and at the end of the exercise, they will submit the report to the government. Then the government will see how to help farmers in the country.
She has confirmed that the boreholes and women gardens were provided by the government which demonstrates the importance President Barrow attaches to women and agriculture.
Honourable Sainey Jawara, National Assembly member for Lower Saloum commended the Ministry of Water Resources and government for providing over five boreholes to five villages in his constituency. He added that three women gardens were also provided to three villages in the area.
He, however, appealed to the government to upgrade Kaur health center to a major hospital for the benefit of the people of the area. He also appealed to the government to construct their main road that link most of the villages. He assured President Barrow that people of Lower Saloum will support him.
The President held a similar meeting in Njau in Upper Saloum. He promised that water, electricity, roads and their other needs will be put into consideration and addressed as soon as possible. He said it is their right to inform government of their needs so that they can be provided to them.
Other speakers included the National Assembly member for Upper Saloum, chief, alkalolus and others. They requested government to bring developmental projects such as water, electricity, roads, health, farming and education.