President Adama Barrow made the remarks at Chamoi village in the Wulli West District of URR, as part of his ongoing six-day nationwide tour, following the laying of foundation stones for feeder roads across the Central and Upper River Regions. The initiative aims to connect communities and ensure farmers have access to their fields.
The projects which were launched in URR, under the GIRAV project, and funded by the World Bank, comprise two sections with a combined length of 13.6km.
The first stretches from Sare Fodike to Sare Jammu Mballow in Sandu (8.2km), while the second runs from Chamoi Bunda to Limbambulu in Wuli West (5.4km).
Both sites fall under Lot 1 of the project and will be supervised by Pace and Ceeteq Joint Venture (JV).
President Barrow reaffirmed his administration’s continued commitment to national development, particularly in addressing the challenges Gambians face.
“I want farmers to have access to their farms, and from there to the markets through good roads,” Barrow said. “With all the work currently going on across the country, I am not satisfied yet. More development will come, starting from 2027.” He urged Gambians to acquire national documents to be able to vote, and expressed joy at seeing electricity in villages, noting its impact on reducing costs and improving livelihoods. He pledged to bring electricity, roads, potable water, and farm implements, but reminded citizens that they must take responsibility for venturing into agriculture to achieve food self-sufficiency.
Kebba Sillah, speaking at the meeting, underscored the significance of roads linking Limbambulu Yamadou to other communities. He highlighted the support given to farmers in the area, including land clearing and rice field cultivation under various agricultural projects such as Nema, which cultivated five hectares in Limbambulu Yamadou. He urged youths and women to engage in agriculture and appealed to the president to construct additional feeder roads, elevate the Chamoi health centre, and establish skills centres in schools to equip young people with practical skills.
Alhagie Bubou Drammeh, praised the president for rapid infrastructure development in the region, urging residents to take advantage of free seeds and fertilisers provided under Barrow’s administration.
Youth representative Ousman J. Bah noted that the GIRAV project is implementing 40 initiatives nationwide, with eight in URR, signalling the government’s prioritisation of the region. He pointed out that rural electrification has drastically reduced the cost of ice blocks from 100 dalasis to 15 dalasis, and assured the president of the region’s support.
Women’s representative Aja Fatou Saho highlighted the provision of tractors through agricultural projects, which has boosted yields. She encouraged communities to return to farming, stressing that the government is playing its part by supplying implements and inputs.
National Assembly Member for Wulli West, Nfamara Sabally, emphasised that the road foundation laid by Barrow had been neglected since the First Republic, contrasting Barrow’s progress with the decades-long rule of his predecessors. He urged citizens to embrace and support the president’s administration.
Regional Governor Samba Bah reported that rural electrification is expanding in both URR North and South, connecting villages yet to receive electricity. He stressed the importance of feeder roads in linking farms to markets, criticising those who dismiss roads as development. “Without good roads, farmers cannot access farms, markets, or essential services,” he stated, urging residents to maintain peace and stability to enable continued progress.
Sulyaman Sumareh Janneh, Managing Director of the National Roads Authority (NRA), assured that the feeder roads will be constructed to world-class standards, meeting all required quality benchmarks
