By Lamin Kujabi
President Barrow’s weekend engagement, as part of his ongoing tour of the country, saw him visit three landmark development projects in the West Coast Region. These are the 23 MW solar photovoltaic plant being constructed in Jambur - a part of The Gambia electricity restoration and modernization project; the 10,000-bed capacity Farato hospital and the University of Applied Science Engineering and Technology Brikama Campus.
Speaking on Saturday, December 2nd after the visit to the project sites, announced that the solar project will be completed in January and ready for use in February 2024.
The President said when the project is completed, it will help NAWEC save money and ease the power inadequacy in the country.
He went on to give the completion dates for the remaining two major projects, saying the Farato hospital will be completed in May 2024, while USET will be completed in June 2024.
Commenting on the significance of having such a university, President Barrow said the country will be able to train its own engineers in the country.
The tour party went on to have a meeting in Brikama, where President Barrow announced plan to build a major hospital in Brikama and a market reconstruction.
President Adama Barrow announced that his government will soon come up with a law that will punish people who are engaged in smuggling of irregular migrants. “Tministry of Justice is preparing a law that will punish people who engage in transporting youth through the backway to Europe. These smugglers are endangering the lives of our young people. The country is losing lots of its youth through the backway,” he lamented.
Further on his government’s ambition, the President made reference to the National Development Plan, which he said factors key sectors; such as universal access to electricity, a port expansion and a new port, a revitalized river transport system, as well as universal access to health.
Other speakers included Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, who announced plans to construct a two-lane road from Yundum to Foni Bulock. He said the demolition that is happening along the road sides in the Greater Banjul and Kombo are necessary to widen the roads to avoid accidents and congestions.
