By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency Adama Barrow President of the Republic of the Gambia during his 2024 meet with the people’s tour visited Arezki Bridge Hotel and Restaurant in Pakalinding in Jarra West and Kiang EPC Lot 3 Kabada Road (Nema Kuta- Sare Sarjo- Kabada all in Lower River Region, President Barrow, after driving through the ongoing road construction in the Lower River Region, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of work on the road connecting isolated communities in the Kabada area. Speaking to the press, He stated that the road infrastructure is vital for connecting people as well as facilitating further developmental initiatives in the region. He promised that his government will continue to more developmental projects to communities President Barrow, thanked the Ministry of Works for the progress on the going works whiling thanking Gambians for voting him into office to bring development to their doorstep. Adding that this is the first time a road has been constructing in Kabada.
“When this road is complete you will see a massive development in this areas, it will also reduce pressure on the main highways.” He underscored President Barrow also inspected development projects that are impacting the lives of the rural Gambians, Such as the EPC Roads project lot one Basse Manneh Kunda, Demba Kunda, and also laid the foundation stone for the construction of new Governor’s office and residence complex in Basse Upper River Region, funded by Gambia government. The President also proceeded to visit Animal breeding and fattening project and drinking water facility for ruminant funded by Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Sare Sillereh village implement by the Small Ruminant Production Enhancement Project (SRPEP), Solar Green Mini-Grid project in Jarra Madina to gather firsthand information about the progress of drilling a 30,000-litre borehole.
Madina is one of the 117 communities that will benefit from the construction of 55 boreholes in the provinces, a project initiated by the Barrow administration to improve access to water supply across the country. In Kiang West, President Barrow inspected the ongoing construction of an 87-kilometer road. This project represents a significant turning point for isolated areas, promoting equality in access to infrastructure. Phase 1 of the road spans 39 kilometres, starting from Kiang Sankandi to Kiang Karantaba. Phase 2 covers 48 kilometres, beginning at Kiang Keneba and ending at Kiang Kemoto. After that engagement President, Barrow proceeded to hold meeting in Darsilameh village in Sandu joint by Wuli west and Wuli east in Upper River Region. During that meeting GIRAV distributed over D3 million to nine beneficiary to support their production activities.
Honourable Hamat NK. Bah Minister of Lands Regional Government and Religious Affairs pointed out that development achieved by President Barrow is not a secret in the country, this is not propaganda is a fact. He declared that his ministry would hold meetings with ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Governors, Chiefs and Alkalos to discuss outbreak of bush fire to map out measures to avert bush fires. He warned that if anyone is caught set out bush fire, he would be punish according to the law. Honourable Musa Drammeh Minister of Fisheries Water Resources and National Assembly Matters said that three years ago, 100 water boreholes were dug and 50 water boreholes will be inaugurated as part of celebrations of the 60 years independent anniversary in February 2025.
He added that Japanese government and African Development Bank will also provide water boreholes to many communities. Dr. Demba Sabally Minister of Agriculture announced that his ministry provided eight garden for the women of sandu, wuli west and wuli east. Samba Bah Governor Upper river region, Honourable Ebrima Jaiteh national assembly member for Sandu, Talibo Kujera, Adama Bah Lady councilor, Bilali Jawara all expressed appreciation and thank the President for the development brought to their area. They called on the people of Sandu, wuli West and Wuli east to support the president to achieve his development target for the people of the country.
President Barrow also visited, Jarra Madina village water borehole funded by African Development Bank and implemented by Department of water Resources under Ministry of Fisheries Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Jalangbreh new Health Center funded by Spanish philanthropy through the youth of Jalangbreh in Spain. The Rural Livelihood Enhancement Farm (Poultry Feed) processing machine in Kwinela Village. He also visited Kiang West roads projects before proceeding to hold meetings in Sankandi village President Barrow presented over D 4 million GIRAV project Matching grant to 13 people to support their agriculture production. Minister of Health Ahmed Amadou Samateh called on the youth of Kiang to come and join the President to develop kiang and the Gambia.
Lamin Drammeh Chief of Kiang west, Isatou Darboe Lady councilor, Modou Sowe councilor, Demba Qcell and Honourable Yunusa Bah National Assembly member all thank the President for bringing development to them despite the fact that the people of kiang did not vote for him. In Soma Town meeting President Adama Barrow assured the people of Jarra that the development he initiated will continue in the area and the entire country. Whether the people in the area supports him or not is His responsibility to bring development to the doorstep of every Gambian. Honourable Hamat NK Bah Minister of Lands regional government and religious affairs reiterated his called on to security officers police to stay away from taking bribes from drivers, as it is unlawful.
