From the rough tracks of Niamina East to the farmland of Niamina West, residents are speaking up, demanding better roads, reliable health services, and infrastructure that matches their resilience.
In lively constituency dialogues facilitated by Activista The Gambia, National Assembly members HonourableDawdaJeng and HonourableBiromSowe faced candid questions from villagers who live every day amid long walks to clinics, poor electricity, and limited government support.
In Niamina East, residents from 47 villages, including SicnhuGundoh, SinchuAlagie, Toro, Banni, Bantang, and KerewanDemba, shared vivid accounts of daily struggles. Momodou Alpha Jallow, representing persons with disabilities from KerewanDemba, described the road from Kudang to Kuntaur as a “lifeline in terrible condition.” He added, “Without adequate medicines in Kudang, the sick must travel long distances to Bansang or Brikama Ba for treatment.”
Hon. DawdaJeng acknowledged these challenges, assuring that major roads are earmarked for construction and that electrification projects are expanding to more villages. “Youth and education remain a top priority. Children once walked three kilometres to school. Today, new schools and scholarships are changing that reality,” he said.
Residents also voiced governance concerns. ModouJallow of Toro revealed how his village’s Alkalo went seven months without an allowance, only receiving D18,000 after Hon. Jeng’s intervention. Others called for better hospital services, delayed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, and greater community involvement in projects.
Meanwhile, in Niamina West, Hon. BiromSowe faced pointed questions over the D100,000 clothing allowance for MPs. Youth leader Ebrima Bah of Nana Village asked, “Why should our Honourable accept this when we witness institutional failures in oversight?” Hon. Sowe clarified: “The D100,000 covers five years, about D1,660 per month. I spend far more from my personal resources to support my people.”
Beyond the clothing allowance, villagers raised pressing concerns about infrastructure and basic services. Aji Fatou, a septuagenarian farmer, requested another borehole and a milling machine for women, while Mamadou Jallow shared how he had to provide an inverter at Nana Health Post to save a patient in need of oxygen. The HonourableSowe reassured residents that upgrades to the health post, expansion of electricity, and road construction were underway.
He also explained the limits of the Constituency Development Fund. “The D500,000 allocation cannot cover multiple projects simultaneously. MPs identify areas for intervention, while the National Assembly handles contracts and bidding. I also established the Niamina West Development Committee to coordinate initiatives and ensure transparency,” he said.
Residents from both constituencies emphasised that agriculture underpins their livelihoods, with rice, millet, and groundnut farming forming the backbone of local economies. Yet, daily life remains a struggle. DembaJawo, a farmer from Choya Village, and Ello Jallow of Malikunda spoke of poor roads, insufficient health facilities, and limited electricity.
Both Hon. Jeng and Hon. Sowe highlighted the importance of community engagement. “I visit my constituents at least once or twice a month, sometimes weekly. Every Wednesday is dedicated to Question-and-Answer sessions at the Assembly. People can reach me through WhatsApp, meetings, or calls,” said Hon. Sowe. Hon. Jeng encouraged local initiatives, acknowledging political hurdles that often politicise projects.
The dialogues concluded with a unifying message: progress requires collaboration, patience, and sustained community involvement. While challenges remain, residents are left with renewed hope that their voices are being heard and that tangible improvements in health, education, and infrastructure are on the horizon.
