“Despite the limited resources in the country, my government is doing everything possible in ensuring that we address the road network problem in the country. My objective is to ensure that all major roads in the country are constructed. I want to tell you all that my government is committed to addressing the challenges Gambians are encountering in terms of road network as it is manifested in the on-going construction in the country. We will be constructing 365km of road which will amount to billions of U.S. dollars,” he said during a meeting at Kombo Lamin in the West Coast Region.
President Barrow was responding to concerns raised by residents of Lamin and the surrounding communities with regard to bad roads within the area, said: “Road construction is not easy as each kilometres amount to millions of dalasis. Despite this, we are committed to ensuring that major roads in the country are constructed. In fact, half of the roads that have been constructed are within the Kombo.”
The 86km of road in Kiang; the 87km Hakalang road and the 47km road in Saba Sanjal among other roads in the country, he went on, are all fully funded by his government. “We cannot all depend on donors for the country’s development. That’s why my administration is changing the trajectory. We will inject the country’s resources heavily on nation building,” he promised.
Barrow also urged Gambian youth to venture into businesses, saying: “The businesses in the country ranging from corner shops, bakery and tailoring among others are predominantly dominated by foreigners.”
Commenting on his National Development Plan (NDP), the president said the NDP will help guide his government towards the right direction. “Through the NDP, we will be creating ways in ensuring there are speedy court cases in the country. It will also help us improve public service delivery within the government and help us track performance of our workers and also digitalise our civil services,” he postulated.
“Our social activities shouldn’t affect our work. Now we will be monitoring our civil servants. If you don’t come to work one or two times, we will deduct your salary. If that continues, the individual will be suspended and could even be sacked,” he warned.
He maintained that the NDP will bring in micro-economic management that is geared towards bringing in policies that are of benefit to Gambians and it will also go a long way in improving our businesses and our economy, adding that the reform agenda of the government will also touch the country’s fisheries sector.
Ebrima Sillah, the minister of Works and Infrastructure, who also responded to some of the demands made by communities of the area, said: “The Mandinary-Lamin Road was already surveyed. However, we later realised that when we want to construct the road, many compounds within the area will be affected and that was not part of the contract.”
“I wish to inform you all that the road from Lamin to Bafuloto and then to Brikama, the Central Bank is working with the Ministry of Finance in ensuring that there is a by-pass from Sting-corner to Abuko as phase one of the project. Again, phase two of the project will start from Abuko back to Lamin and then Mandinary. The contract for feasibility study will be awarded soon,” he emphasised, adding that his ministry and the Ministry of Interior are working together with the desire of reducing accidents on the Bertil Harding Highway.
Clarifying the recent statement made by the president surrounding tax increment which has sparked debate in the country, Hamat Bah, the minister for Tourism, said: “I want to unequivocally make it clear that the president is referring to individuals who own businesses in the country and without paying taxes. That will not be accepted and the government will never compromise that. We will form a taskforce in January 2024 which will comprise different stakeholders that will be working in ensuring that those who don’t pay their taxes are dealt with.”
“There are people that do business in selling compounds. You sell your compound at five million and you go to a lawyer and he prepares a document of two million dalasis for you. When we get you, the individual will be dealt with,” he said.
Lady Councillor Kaddy Sanyang, said: “We want the president to help and empower women’s Kafos within the area financially. We also want the government to appoint women to the district tribunal with the aim of ensuring that they represent women during district court sittings. The women of Lamin also want the president to help them with health centre.”
