By: Yunus .S. Saliu
His Excellency President Adama Barrow, on Wednesday, led a high-level road inspection tour across several key construction sites in the Greater Banjul Area, reaffirming his government’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly in road construction.
Accompanied by the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, senior government officials, and officials from the National Roads Authority (NRA), President Barrow received a rousing welcome from residents in every community he visited.
The tour began at the Ebotown Road along the Westfield-Brikama Highway, continuing through the Badala area with a key stop at the P3 intersection (Jokor Road). From there, the presidential convoy proceeded along the highway to Tabokoto, through the Tabokoto-Banjulding Road EPC Lot 5, and onward to Km 1+500, joining the Wellingara-Abuko road and driving to Sinchu Wellingara Road.
The inspection continued along the Sinchu Road to the overpass and then to Farato Bojang Kunda, where the President inspected ongoing asphalt works. From there, he returned to the Airport Junction and proceeded to P6, opposite Muhammed Jah Junction, traversing P6 Bijilo to Kerr Serign. He exited at Kololi New Road to enter P13 and proceeded to Sanchaba Road.
President Barrow’s inspection route also took him to P18, which he followed to Kololi New Road, eventually concluding at the end of P18 before heading back to Banjul.
Speaking to the press after the tour, President Adama Barrow described the inspection as part of his administration’s regular oversight duties, conducted monthly or bimonthly to ensure project accountability and progress tracking.
“It’s our normal, routine inspection to go and see the projects we are implementing. So far, we have gone very far. We are almost finishing all the OIC roads only one is yet to be paved. We are very happy and impressed, and we believe the community shares the same sentiment,” President Barrow stated.
He highlighted that while many of the road projects are donor-funded, the government is also executing significant road construction initiatives through central government financing, totaling approximately 365 kilometers.
“We are not only doing donor-funded projects. We are doing roads under central government funding as well, and NRA is also implementing its own projects. So, we are running three major projects concurrently,” he explained.
President Barrow further revealed that the current work represents the second phase of the OIC roads project and announced plans to commence a third phase before the end of the year.
Reiterating his administration’s development agenda, the President emphasized the critical role of roads in national development. “You cannot develop your country without developing the roads. That’s why we are really focusing on this sector. But we are also investing in electricity, schools, and healthcare facilities.”
He extended gratitude to all partners involved such as the Ministry of Works, the NRA, the Cabinet, and the National Assembly for their consistent support in ensuring the delivery of these transformative infrastructure projects.
“As we near completion of the OIC roads, we look forward to their official inauguration. This is part of our social contract with the Gambian people, and we are committed to fulfilling it,” the President concluded.
Every stop along the inspection route was marked by enthusiastic receptions, with communities celebrating the President’s presence with great fanfare and appreciation.
Work Progress In Brief
Road P3: GPPC Rd – Westfield Jokor – Abuko concrete road (2.8km). EPC Lot 5 Road Section 5: Tabokoto – Abuko – Banjulinding (3.4km). Section 2: Sinchu Wellingara – Kunkujang Keitaya (4.2km). Section 1: Farato Bojang Kunda – Bafuloto (4km), OIC Urban Road P6: Kololi Tavern – Bijilo – Brufut (8.6 km). Road P13: Sukuta Health Center – Kololi/Senegambia Road Intersection (3.25 km), Road P18: Kololi Senegambia Road Intersection – Touba Sanchaba Road (1.14km) and Road P7: Touba Sanchaba – Kerr Serign – Sukuta Camping (1.93km).