State
House, Banjul, March 07, 2020 – His Excellency, President Adama Barrow has
expressed hopes, and prayed that new roads constructed and inaugurated by his
government will connect hearts and communities in The Gambia.
In a span of one week, the Gambian leader
inaugurated a 121 kilometre Lamin Koto-Passamas Road in rural Gambia and
another 13.5 kilometres road in peri-urban Kombos. The President described
these projects as “a clear signpost of the implementation of the National
Development Plan.”
He said his government’s vision, as detailed
in the National Development Plan of the “new Gambia” is a country where the
highest standard of good governance is upheld; where citizens enjoy access to
basic services and the enabling environment is created for the private sector
to thrive.
The Sukuta-Jambanjelly Road benefits
communities around Sukuta in Kombo North, including Jabang, Jambur, Latriya and
ends at the Brikama-Sanyang Connector Road at Jambanjelly in Kombo South.
It contributes to the booming economic
activities within the area, as new housing estates continue to be constructed
and light industries spring up along the corridor.
President Barrow prayed that the roads will
not only connect communities but also link the hearts of the peoples, and by
extension the Gambian populace. He added that the peace, harmony, stability and
economic prosperity that all Gambians want for their dear motherland is
achieved.
For the 121KM Lamin Koto-Pasamas Road, the
President said it fulfills the goal of completing the Gambia’s North Bank trunk
road to a bituminous standard. From
Barra, the road connects the northern part to the southern part of the country.
“It is a symbol of development that will
impact thousands of lives, as it will ease access to health care and education,
while enhancing movement of people, goods and services. By all measures, it
will further promote trade and regional connectivity,” he said at the
inauguration ceremony held at the farthest point of Northern Gambia.
The
project provides a viable pathway to economic prosperity and social progress;
comes with other advantages as improving access to the great agricultural
potential of the north eastern region and facilitating effective implementation
of the Government’s rural development programmes.
“The road will also stimulate the provision of
better and more effective public services, including agricultural extension to
encourage greater production. All these are critical to The Gambia’s food
self-sufficiency drive and foreign exchange earnings,” he maintained.
The Gambian leader assured that his government
will continue to maintain and expand the urban, secondary and feeder road
networks in order to improve accessibility and induce acceptable travel time
between destinations for all travelers in The Gambia.
