Women in Kaur have asked President Adama Barrow to expand electricity access, construct key feeder roads, and create more livelihood projects to support families affected by poor rains and youth unemployment.
Speaking at President Barrow’s Meet the People Tour in Kaur Wharf Town, Central River Region, women’s representative Njie Ceesay said women in the area have benefited from a government-backed loan scheme that allows them to access funds, work with them, and repay within five months for other women to benefit.
"President Barrow loves the women of The Gambia to the extent that he has provided us with a loan scheme that allows women to access funds, use them to work, and repay the money within five months," she said.
Ceesay said beneficiaries are hardworking and meet monthly at the Chief’s compound to make repayments.
“After that, we go back to our work and wait for the following month so that we can make the next payment until the loan is fully repaid," she said.
She appealed for expansion of the scheme to cover more women.
"We are pleading with President Barrow to help us, especially those who have not yet benefited from this money, and to ensure that all Gambian women have the opportunity to access these funds," she said.
On development, Ceesay acknowledged road and electricity projects delivered by the government but said some communities in Lower Saloum still lack electricity.
"President Barrow, we have seen the roads you have constructed and the electricity you have provided. You are helping women. But there is a saying that goes, ‘If someone gives you lunch and dinner and promises to give you breakfast, you should believe that they will give you breakfast’," she said.
She listed Jamweli, Kerr Musa, Simbara, Ganjeh, Chamen, Gongkuru and Buduk as villages needing electricity in the second phase.
She also made a case for a new feeder road from Jahwurr to Ganjeh and Kerr Musa to ease movement of school children.
"If you look at the situation, there are many children coming from Ganjeh, Gongkuru and Chamen. Now that we have schools in Jimbala and Kerr Malick, these children have to use that road to go to Fengoh and then continue to Kerr Malick. Having to travel along that difficult road just to attend school is another challenge for them," she said.
"We want you to construct the road from Kerr Musa to Kerr Malick so that our children can continue their education, become able to help their parents and provide for themselves," she added.
Ceesay raised concern over this year’s rainy season, saying disrupted rains affected corn and groundnut harvests. She appealed for projects that provide sustainable livelihoods and jobs for graduates.
"Help our children who attend school and graduate but are unable to secure jobs. Establish projects where they can work, take care of themselves and support their families," she said.
She assured the President of women’s political support.
"President Barrow, we, the Gambian people, are telling you to sleep peacefully when you lie down, because we will fill your ballot box. You are carried by the women of The Gambia, and whoever a woman carries will not fall," she said.
