By Kebba Ansu Manneh, in Basse, URR.
The Gambian Leader President Adama Barrow has laid the foundation stones for bridges and roads in Upper River Region (URR) of the country on Saturday, 15 December 2018, at Bassending which is approximately three kilometers from Basse—the regional Capital of URR.
President Barrow was accompanied to the occasion by large crowds of Jubilant Barrow Youths for National Development, women and cultural groups amidst fanfare and political commentaries from political surrogates and griots giving colorful auras to the occasion.
The President Barrow arrived at the occasion at 17:40pm local time flanked by the Second Lady, Sarjo Mballow. He was received by the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe; Speaker of the National Assembly, Mariam Denton Jack; Service Chiefs; and the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, HE Ma Jianchun.
“I am here today to lay the foundation stones for the long awaited and long overdue projects namely the construction of the Basse-Koina road and the construction of bridges in Basse, Fatoto, Chamoi and Suduwol, as well as a Teachers Training College in Basse. Without doubt, these projects marked a significant milestones in the development of the Upper River Region (URR) and the entire country,” President disclosed.
President Barrow recalled growing up in URR and said that living the most part of his life in the area exposed him to the realities of the many hours of waiting one would encounter by moving from one end of the region to another due to poor roads conditions. He said it’s always a matter of luck to secure transportation which becomes particularly unbearable during emergency situations.
According to him the lack of good and adequate road infrastructure in the rural areas lies at the heart of the disparities between rural and urban areas that keep worsening. He noted that laying these landmark projects that Gambian peoples witnessed on Saturday is the evidence of his government’s efforts to minimized rural-urban migration, adding that it’s also a demonstration of the government’s commitment to rebuilding The Gambia.
“Improved road network will serve for better educational as well as health services and the creation of a booming business environment to increase the economic status of the rural residents of The Gambia,” Barrow said of the new infrastructural projects for URR.
He continued to disclose that it was during the presidential campaign that he had the singular honor to visit villages and towns particularly those located in the northern part of the URR, stating that he made this promise that if he wins the election his government’s first infrastructural projects will be in the URR. He said he is happy that his government kept its promise as the project comes to fruition.
“In 2017 The Gambia happily reestablished ties with the People’s Republic of China to strengthening diplomatic services as well as trade and economic ties between our two countries. It was during my visit to the People’s Republic of China in last December that I signed series of agreements including the building of roads and bridges in URR and now this is a dream comes true,” President Barrow revealed the secret behind the Chinese-funded projects for Infrastructural Development in URR.
He said many towns and villages in the Upper River Region and the Central River Region of the country have been isolated for ages due to poor infrastructures making it difficult to access farmlands, markets, schools and health centers.
“There is no doubt, therefore, with these roads and bridges residents of this region and everyone else stand to benefit from these projects. When completed the project will provide vital access for the communities of Tumana, Basse, Jimara, Kantora, Wuli as well as all the communities in Senegal and beyond,” Barrow reveals the economic benefits the people of the provinces and the sub region would enjoy from his development initiatives.
“Today I am happy to announced that all these issues will soon come to the past, with the completion of these projects it will become feasible for one to travel the entire distance of URR in about 40 minutes without fatigue or being covered with dust,” he noted.
President Barrow continues to disclose that connecting the two banks of the country through good roads and bridges such as the Basse and Fatoto bridges will also facilitate the movement of peoples, goods and services across the river thus enhancing the free flow of livestock’s and agricultural goods to enable more market opportunities for farmers and those in need of such commodities.
He added that the project will also generate such a momentum for solid and greater social cohesion among the URR and beyond, adding that all these benefits are bound to trigger greater economic growth within the area and elsewhere as well as contribute to poverty reduction.
The Gambian leader emphasized that these roads and bridges will also complement major development projects such as the Laminkoto-Passamas Road which is under construction and planned to be completed in 2019, and the Trans-Gambia bridge schedule to be opened in January of 2019.
He added that major infrastructural projects will certainly improve national as well as regional connectivity and facilitate free movement of peoples, goods and services within the ECOWAS region.
“I now take this singular opportunities to express my profound gratitude to the Peoples Republic of China for funding these projects through a grant facility, the biggest investment by the Peoples Republic of China to The Gambia since my government took office. It’s also the biggest project ever implemented in URR. I am indebted most profoundly to the President of China, the Government and Peoples Republic of China for the trust they have in my administration and the support to The Gambia,” Barrow expressed his delights to the Chinese for the 81 million Euro grant project.
Barrow said that the president of China has received him twice in a year which shows the strong bond that exist between the two peoples and countries.
He thanked the former Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia for re-establishing China-Gambia relationship, while stating his belief that the new ambassador will continue the good work his predecessor started.
President Barrow finally calls on all stakeholders to be committed in ensuring that the project get all the attention it takes to come to a completion.
HE Ma Jianchun, the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, said the project is a new milestone of the ever growing and strengthening relations between China and The Gambia and its peoples in a new era, adding that since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries their friendship has been growing and moving forward positively.
“Modern, reliable and efficient infrastructure will spur growth, catalyze economic transformation, and contribute to a high standard of living,” HE Ma Jianchun said.
He expressed his optimism that that the project will give full expression to the Chinese design, engineering and management and the first-class construction standard.
Immediately after the laying of the foundation stone for Basse-Fatoto road The Times caught up with the National Assembly Member for Basse constituency, Muhammed Magassy, who applauded the National Assembly for approving such a grant meant to boast the infrastructural development of the region, sending special appreciation to President Barrow for the wise decision taken to improve the lots of the rural people.
Hon. Magassy also expressed gratitude to the people of the region for all their patients, adding these projects cannot be possible without the support of electorates.
Recalling the challenges faced by his peoples before the project, the Independent National Assembly member said, the lack of infrastructure affected the enrollment levels in schools, creates difficulties to reaching health centers during emergencies as well as hindered trade and economic activities in the region among others
Hon. Magassy revealed that traveling in his part of the country for most part after independence has always been a nightmare for the people of the region, adding that these new projects will surely alleviate these constraints faced by his people thus promoting economic prosperity.
Seedy SK Njie, who became the Minister of Information in the during the political impasse in December 2016 but has since became a turncoat and transferred loyalty to President Barrow, said that such a project has never been implemented in rural part of The Gambia by any administration in The Gambia since independence.
According to Mr. Njie, President Barrow has lived by his words that he will bring unprecedented development to the peoples of The Gambia, adding that the laying of the foundation stones for bridges and roads will attract meaningful socioeconomic development for the people of URR and beyond which will facility free movement of goods and services in the sub region especially between The Gambia and Senegal.
Mr. Njie said the teachers training college will reduce load on The Gambia College, reduce rural-urban drift thus improving the social wellbeing of the people of URR
The former Minister of Information called on Gambians to give all supports to President Barrow for the development of the country, adding that Gambian people should expect more development from the leadership of President Barrow.