The inspection visit, which started at the newly constructed University of Applied Science Engineering and Technology (USET) Brikama Campus, was designed to garner first hand information with regard to ongoing infrastructural works at these sites.
At the USET campus, Barrow was received on the ground by the minister of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez alongside other cabinet ministers, senior government officials, contractors, engineers before being led on a conducted tour of the facility.
Shortly after a conducted tour of the facility, Adama Barrow said he was impressed with the infrastructure and the building itself and the environment government has created for young people.
"What I mean is that when you are trained and skillful and you are marketable, you are empowered and this is a big opportunity for our youthful population to change their lives. It’s a game-changer for the young population of his country," he said.
Barrow further explained that this is an opportunity that many others including him didn’t have, thus challenging the country’s youthful population to take advantage of the opportunity and harness their skills to the fullest.
He also spoke about the transformative change the school will have in training critical mind of young people, who he said, will in turn train others and even employ themselves and others.
Barrow also talks about services that will be created, adding that services that many Gambians normally seek in Senegal could now be accessible in The Gambia.
"That means we will save foreign exchange because if we were to seek for those services in Senegal, one has to get foreign currency to pay for your services. Now that foreign currency will stay in country," he said.
To this end, he thanked their partners, who he said have been very supportive, further expressing optimism that the school will change the lives of many young people.
"We have over 18 professors who are here supporting us so that they will train our Gambians to transition,” he stated. “So, I will thank the University of The Gambia because they’ve already trained Gambians that are part of the team understudying them so that there will be smooth transition to allow Gambians to take over from our Nigerian brothers."
The Gambian leader could not hide his impression with the overall development he has seen on visiting USET new campus. He disclosed that the site will be official opened on 24 June 2025.
The contractor, he said, would complete in 15-day time, adding that all the arguments surrounding the development was in the best interest of the country.
"We all want to deliver and are all working towards the same basket,” he said. “And finally, I think we have gotten there and we have achieved it."
Barrow also talked about sustainability plans already in place in ensuring that the facility is maintained, pointing out that there will be services that will be offered to the public.
He said they need to have people on the ground to take care of the machines in the event of breakdown, verily so there are some people already being trained in that regard.
From USET campus, Barrow and delegation drove to The Gambia National Lab for Food and Drugs in Brusubi, OIC Hotel site – Bijilo, Gambia Maritime Agency Headquarters – Kololi; Egyptian Hospital - Kanifing; NEGMAR Ferry Project site – Banjul, and Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital Construction Project – Banjul.
