By Lamin Kujabi
The President of the Africa Development Bank ( AfDB) Group Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, who was on a working visit in the country, has promised that the Bank will continue to support The Gambia to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, revealing that a team had been sent to the country to assist in rice production.
Vouching for the credibility of the Bank, Mr Adesina said AfDB is the most transparent financial institution in the world with a sound management of assets of USD 24 million provided to support Gambia’s port expansion and transformation and USD 32 million provided for poultry farming. He commended President Barrow for his leadership example and rule of law.
About the Senegambia Bridge project, the AfDB Group president clarified: “Let me make it very clear that funds used to construct Senegambia Bridge were completely a grant to the Government of The Gambia”.
He noted that before the construction of the bridge there was a huge delay in travelling; that vehicles would be at the crossing point for days or weeks before they could cross to the other side.
In recognition of his immense contribution towards the socio-economic development of The Gambia and Africa, His Excellency president Adama Barrow has conferred the insignia of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia to the visiting President of the African Development Bank Group, during a reception held in his honour at the Arezki company office in Mansakoko in Lower River Region (LRR).
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Honorable Seedy Keita, expressed appreciation to Mr Adesina for the visit, pointing out that this was the first time a sitting African Development Bank President visited The Gambia.
“Mr. Adesina came with a transformative agenda in AfDB and has transformed the Bank,” he asserted.
He acknowledged that The Gambia has benefited a sum of USD504, from 1974 to date; that The Gambia is a shareholder in Africa 50’s Innovative Financing for Africa Asset Recycling Agreement for the Senegambia Bridge
