These facilities will provide a standard base for the governors to coordinate government programmes, host delegations, and deliver services at the regional level.
“I always say this, you cannot have development without infrastructure. These are our regional administrators. The governor is directly representing the President at the regional level. Their welfare and their environment should be conducive. That's why we are now building structures that are everlasting structures,” Barrow told journalists shortly after inaugurating the URR governor's residence and office spaces.
Barrow said the new structures would create an environment conducive to the governors doing their work effectively and efficiently. When people visit the Governors, Barrow said they will be respected because of their environments.
The Gambian leader said the URR governor’s residence and office spaces are among the many projects his government is undertaking, and that one was completed in Mansakonko.
“And we will replicate this in all the other regions, including Brikama. Because we want to make sure that the governors are well accommodated. If we transfer a governor from the Greater Banjul Area, he will not hesitate to come and stay here,” he said.
Barrow believes that the comfort and the environment the governors have within the regions is even better than the capital. He said it is not only the governor's residence, but his government is trying to modernise the entire Gambia.
“The entire country we are trying to modernise. We are building roads, we are doing electricity, we are doing health, medical facilities, schools, you name it. Simultaneously, we are doing all at the same time, with limited resources. But we have been very, very innovative to make sure we deliver these projects. And we have always been very, very focused, and committed,” he said.
Barrow seized the opportunity to congratulate the governor of URR, the contractor, the Ministry of Works, and the National Roads Authority for the plan of the infrastructure.
Barrow said the Contractor is a Gambian, and everything about the infrastructure is Gambian. He said his government is looking inwards, making everything local.
“Resources are local, the contractor is local, the plan and everything is local. So the whole money remains in the country. It is a big achievement. And this means Gambia is moving. Gambia is growing. And we are calling on every Gambian to come and join this crusade. The end of the tunnel is very, very bright,” he said.
After the inauguration of the URR governor’s residence and office spaces, President Barrow also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the LRR governor’s office spaces in Mansa Konko.
“This is a commitment that every region deserves, dignified government infrastructure and ensuring LRR has the same institutional capacity as other regions,” President Bareow said.
