The Gambian President laid the foundation stones for the construction of Essau-Barra Backway Road Project, Fass Njaga Choi Road Project, Kerr Samba Kalla Road Project, Bakalarr, Road Project, Jurunku Road Project, and Kerr Omar Saine Road Project.
These road projects are fully funded by the Barrow government and are expected to improve connectivity, boost trade, and enhance mobility across NBR. When completed, the roads will link farmers to markets, children to schools, and patients to health facilities.
“With satisfaction, at each stop of the tour, we laid a foundation stone for a road project. To put it simply, in laying the foundation stones, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter, more connected, and more prosperous future for every single family in this region,” President Barrow said addressing hundreds of NBR natives in Kuntaya village.
The Gambian Leader described NBR as one of the country's most active agricultural regions and a vital gateway to Senegal. Once completed, President Barrow said these roads will carry the farmers' produce swiftly to markets of their choice, cutting the post-harvest losses that have long cost them dearly and opening the way to better prices and stronger livelihoods. Barrow said by constructing these roads, his government is changing the old narrative.
Barrow believes that Gambian communities should not be disconnected. He said the size of the country is such that no village should feel isolated, no child should struggle to reach school, and no patient should find it difficult to reach a health facility.
“This is the position taken by my government, and it is amply reflected in our YIRIWAA National Plan. I hope this makes our uncompromising stance on infrastructure development clear and appreciated. Wherever roads go, development follows. Because we are serious about stimulating investment, the North Bank is surely open for business,” he said.
The Gambian President said development is not about promises, but about delivery. Yet again, he said his government delivered, and promised to continue to fulfil the pledges they made to the people of NBR.
“In this way, we shall build a better Gambia together - a Gambia where every region feels the impact of our national development initiatives,” he said.
Barrow called on the communities along these routes to be patient and cooperative in the months ahead. He said road construction brings with it a measure of disruption, and his government does not take the people’s forbearance for granted.
Barrow said the stones his government is laying are more than a mark of commencement; they are the foundation on which the prosperity of tomorrow will be built.
“As we gather here in Kuntaya, I call on all of us, leaders, elders, youth, and women to unite in protecting these projects. They belong to you, so embrace them as your legacy. Particularly protect them against all acts of vandalism or misuse,” he said.
After laying the foundation stones for the construction of these roads, the Gambian Leader is expected to lay more foundation stones in other regions and Inaugurate road infrastructure, newly constructed and rehabilitated roads to improve connectivity, trade, and access to markets, schools and hospitals.
The President is also expected to visit agricultural projects under flagship programs to boost food security as he continues the tour.
