By Nelson Manneh
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, President Adama Barrow, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Works and the National Roads Authority, conducted an inspection of ongoing road construction projects across the Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region.
The inspection included a tour of several key road projects aimed at improving infrastructure and facilitating greater connectivity for local communities. The roads under construction include: the 2.8 km Westfield Jokor – Abuko concrete road; the 3.4 km Tabokoto – Abuko – Banjulinding route; the 4.2 km Sinchu Wellingara – Kunkujang Keitaya road; the 4 km Farato Bojang Kunda – Bafuloto stretch; the 8.6 km Kololi Tavern – Bijilo – Brufut road; as well as the 3.25 km Sukuta Health Center – Kololi/Senegambia Road Intersection, among others.
After the site visits, President Barrow expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the construction works. He reiterated that the infrastructure projects were a key part of his government’s commitment to improving the daily lives of Gambians by facilitating better movement and connections between communities.
“To be elected as a president is a social contract between the president and the people you serve,” Barrow said. “These roads are fulfilling promises made to the people — to ease the movement from one place to another and to connect our communities.”
The President’s comments came after engaging directly with local residents, many of whom were enthusiastic about the potential benefits of the road projects. “Engaging with the communities, you can see that the beneficiaries are happy with the projects and embrace them,” he said.
Barrow emphasized that his government is committed to continuing this development effort, with further road construction projects already in the works. “We will soon launch the construction of other roads to ensure that no community is left behind,” he promised.
The President’s remarks were met with mixed reactions from local residents, some of whom had experienced setbacks due to the project’s slow pace. Fatou Dibba, a vendor along the Farato – Bafuloto stretch, noted that while the construction had been slow, she was now seeing the benefits as the road is being sealed.
“Some people travel from Farato Bojang Kunda to this area to sell their goods, and now that the road is being improved, we have seen the benefits,” Dibba explained. “But there are other feeder roads inside Farato that the government should also consider.”
In Sukuta, another local shopkeeper shared a more nuanced perspective. His shop had been demolished as part of the construction process, and while he initially felt angered by the demolition, he now understood the broader purpose of the project.
“We weren’t complaining because we were anti-government,” the shopkeeper said. “We were not properly informed about the process, so we thought the government was not considering our rights. But now that the road is being built, we see the value in it.”
The shopkeeper, who was renting the space, mentioned that although he was not the property owner, he was still impacted by the loss of income. He explained that while compensation was provided, the process could have been handled more transparently. “I wasn’t the owner of the structure, but it was my only source of income. We should have been informed earlier about the demolition,” he added.
Overall, the response from the communities along the roads being developed has been largely positive, despite the initial frustrations. Many residents acknowledged receiving compensation, although some expressed that it came late. Regardless, the prevailing sentiment was one of appreciation for the improvements being made to their infrastructure.
The road construction projects are part of a broader strategy by President Barrow’s administration to boost economic growth and regional connectivity, making travel and trade easier for Gambians. However, for these developments to fully meet the needs of local communities, continued communication, timely compensation, and the completion of all planned projects will be key.
As the inspection concluded, President Barrow reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ongoing infrastructural development, ensuring that these efforts remain aligned with the priorities of the people. “We will continue to work hard to deliver on the promises we have made to our citizens,” he said, signaling his dedication to improving the country’s infrastructure for years to come.
