This famous Hakalang Road project, which is now almost hundred percent complete, is a landmark road project and first of its kind in the Niumis since independence, traversing major and even smaller communities in the area.
This 85km stretch, fully funded by the government of The Gambia, is divided into three components: the Buniadu -Kuntaya (55.7 KM); Albreda -Fass Omar Saho (15.14 KM); and Bangally -Bafullto (13.71 KM).
For the local residents, this ambitious road project has not only created market access, but also promoted commerce and easy-flow of people and services in the area and beyond.
Alagie Ebrima Jobe, a resident of Pakala Demba Holleh, expressed delight with the ongoing progress made as they can move about freely and access market on time.
He recalled that in the past they experienced challenges especially in the rainy season when moving from one area to another.
“In the past, you will board a vehicle and in the middle of the journey, you hear that there was a problem on the road, which makes it impossible to access. Even motorcycles found it difficult to access it. But now you can move about freely and at any time.”
Thus, he thanked the Ministry and the government for their foresight in bring about this transformative development, which he said, has now enhanced the living status of residents in the area.
Another resident of the area, Fatou Mboob, shared similar sentiments, recalling the challenges they experienced in the past.
The poor-state of the road in the past, she recalled, had made some communities inaccessible, while hindering business and vital services in the area.
“We have this belief that all our challenges are now a thing of the past as the road has enhanced our living status. We are now happy with the current state of the road. With the current state of the road, women can now access markets in Barra and come back without delay.”
Seedy Keita, a resident of Kerr Demba Holleh, expressed similar sentiments. He recounted the daily nightmares they experienced in the past due to the poor state of the road, saying they paid a lot of money to reach Barra.
“Sometimes, during the height of the rainy season, vehicles used to stop at Fass Saho. So you either take a bicycle or a motorcycle. We experienced all that and now we are grateful to the government for all the development.”
In Bafuloto, one VDC member affectionately known as Barrow’s minister, expressed delight with the current state of road construction.
He thanked His Excellency, Adama Barrow and his government for the foresight and transformation he brought to the people of Nuimi.
He recounted the endless challenges they used to encounter sometimes during odd hours to prepare when travelling to Barra, which is less than 10 km.
“Today, we wait until we want the exact time we want to go to Barra and come. Now, from Buniadu all the way to Kuntaya, travelling has been made possible, thanks to the visionary leadership of President Barrow.”
To this end, he thanked the Gambian leader for his visionary leadership and desire to improve the living status of Gambians.
Another resident of Bafuloto, Fatou Kamaso, while expressing delight with the current state of development in the area, equally thanked President Barrow for all the initiatives he has spearheaded in the area to improve the living status of Gambians.
She underscored the importance of the road project in the area, especially in promoting business and movement of people, goods and services.
In Central Badibbu
Elsewhere in Central Badibbu where the 17km Banni, Salikenni-Njaba Kunda loop road project is on course, residents spoke highly about this phenomenal project and its impact on their lives.
For instance in Salikenni, Sulayman Jallow, a resident of the area, returned thanks and praises to the Almighty for living to witness another life changing development in his life.
He recalled that in the past, moving from one point to another was a huge challenge due to deplorable nature of the road.
He thanked President Barrow for bringing this transformative project to their area, acknowledging that travelling has now been made easier.
Alagie Jagne, chief of Central Badibbu and a resident of Njaba Kunda, recalled the period the road project started confirming it was among the first road projects, continued by the Barrow administration.
He expressed delight with the ongoing progress of road work, recalling that movement in the area used to be a challenge especially during the rainy season.
Chief Jagne said that the impact brought by this road project is immense as it has already started promoting businesses and even social services and access to health and education facilities in the area.
