By Lamin Kujabi
The President His Excellency President Adama Barrow last week Monday 18th November 2024, began constitutional mandate of conducting meet the people’s tour. The tour affords the President and delegation the opportunity to engage with citizens on a wide range of developmental issues and aspiration of the citizenry. The tour also avails the President the opportunity to have firsthand information on ongoing projects and programmes. President Adama Barrow and his entourage visited the new police station under construction in Essau. The project is funded by UNDP in partnership with The Gambia Police Force and is set to be completed by the end of December. Upon completion, the building will provide The Gambia Police Force with modern facilities and mitigate crime rates in the community. He also visited Hakalang Road in Nuimi, before proceeding to hold his first meeting in Lower Nuimi, Upper Nuimi, Jokadou, Bantanding Wollof village in North Bank Region. President Adama Barrow assured Gambians that he is committed to working for the development of the country with the support of Gambians. He also noted that his government would increase youth empowerment.
Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Honourable Hamat NK. Bah called on Gambians to support the President and his agenda in order to develop the country. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Demba Sabally said that 27 tons of fertilizer was distributed to farmers. “We are aware of the problem with groundnuts sales this year; government will look for ways to address it. He also heighted that Government will create more gardens and pasture for animals in the areas and the contract will be signed in December to start the work,” DR Sabally noted. Chief Alpha Mariam Khan applauded His Excellency for improving health, infrastructure, education and the living conditions of farmers. He further appealed to the President to extend the road and electricity and boost agriculture. Alkalo Jallow of Bantanding Wollof Village appealed to the President to upgrade their school to senior school and appeal to the President to help them with clean drinking water as the area lacks clean water.
Other speakers were Honourable Tamsir Cham and Modou Lamin Sarr. GIRAV Project presented a cheque for D21, 647 to 51 people from Lower Nuimi, Upper Nuimi and Jokadou to support them in their businesses; some are engaged in cashew production, rice production, maize, horticulture and poultry. On the second day of the tour in the North Bank Region, President Adama Barrow held two meetings, beginning with Kerr Ardo in the Central Baddibu District. President Barrow disclosed that the government had purchased 180 tractors for farmers. He stated that these tractors would be distributed to farmers at subsidised rates, with the government covering 25% of the cost.
This initiative is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen large-scale farming, enhance food security, and reduce the poverty rate in the country. Additionally, the Programme for Accelerated Community Development (PACD), in partnership with UNDP, procured five groundnut threshing machines and five tractors this year. During the joint meeting at Kerr Ardo for Lower and Central Badibu, His Excellency presented a cheque of over 15.7 million Dalasis to 43 awardees in Lower and Central Baddibou Districts. This initiative aims to make financial resources accessible to women and empower them economically.
Next stop was in Ngayen Sanjal village joint by Illiasa and Sabach Sanjal constituencies. Speaking at the Honourable Hamat NK Bah Minister of Lands regional government and religious affairs called on Gambians to maintain peace and stability, adding that those who want to destabilize this country will be taking before the court of law. Mary Gassama thanked government for providing the area with electricity and water but appeal to government to support farmers with power tillers and tractors. Honourable Babu Ceesay National assemble member and Alhage Touray all expressed appreciation and thanked government for the development brought to their area. They all called the people of the area to support the government for more development.
President Adama Barrow also visited new health center under construction in Njaw village, Wassu Technical vocational education and training (TVET) and Sami EPC Road project Reneru lot 2. Before proceeding to hold meeting at Buduck village Honourable Seedy Njie Deputy speaker of the National assemble, Honourable Amadou Camara National assemble member for Nianija, Dawda York chief of Nianija, Pa Mahtarr Sowe, Jainaba Jallow, expressed appreciation for the development that is been brought to their area.
At Sinchu Bayaba in the Central River Region, the President visited a groundnut farm to investigate the reported poor harvest. Farmer Hamat Jallow explained that a month-long dry spell after sowing negatively affected the harvest. He expressed gratitude to the President for personally observing the issues farmers had raised during the Meet the People Tour 2024. Despite the poor harvest of groundnuts, President Barrow announced that the price of D38,000 per tone from last year would be maintained for this trade season, supplementing the market price to encourage and support farmers.
