Natives of Sami District in the Central River Region have appealed to President Adama Barrow for support in agriculture, livestock, health, security, water, education and youth development during his Meet the People Tour meeting at Kalleng Jawbeh.
Papa Komma, Alkalo of Tanko Kunda, thanked the government for roads and electricity but said challenges remain.
"We are thankful for the roads and electricity that have been provided. However, we still have other concerns," he said.
Komma appealed for agricultural support, noting that being surrounded by the river on both sides limits farming.
"We are appealing to the government, particularly in the area of agriculture. If you look at the landscape of Sami District, both in the east and west we are surrounded by the river. This makes our agricultural activities very limited," he said.
He said cattle rearers lack water points and the district's six seed storage facilities are in poor condition and infested with maggots, making it difficult to preserve harvests.
On security, Komma cited vulnerable borders and recurring livestock theft, appealing to the Minister of Interior for a Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
"Our borders are vulnerable, and we are greatly affected by theft. People steal our livestock and other property," he said.
He also appealed for a fire and rescue service and an ambulance for emergencies, particularly for pregnant women trying to reach Bansang Hospital across the river.
"The roads are now good, but we do not have an ambulance. When a woman goes into labour and needs to be taken to Bansang, it is often very difficult," he said.
Pa Jagne, a native of Sami, said women have died on the Lamin Koto to Bushtown road due to poor access to Bansang Hospital and thanked the President for constructing the road.
He noted Sami never had electricity before the Barrow administration: "The people of Sami used to buy ice blocks for D100, but during the last Ramadan, an ice block was sold for as little as D10."
Jagne appealed for a standard football field for youth and said over 30 cows were stolen last year, calling for a PIU camp in Kalleng Jawbeh to deter cross-border bandits from Senegal.
He said Karantaba Health Centre, built during the first republic, has not been upgraded since the Jawara era, forcing referrals to Bansang. Ferry closures have cost lives.
Jagne also cited poor conditions at Tabanani Primary School, built in 1981, serving villages including Chamen and Sanno Kunda, where lack of water and deterioration affect attendance.
He further raised fire incidents, including a compound burnt in Changai, and poor water quality, saying water sometimes appears "red like palm oil," forcing residents to fetch drinking water from Tabanani.
