By Kemo Kanyi
President Adama Barrow on Saturday inaugurated the 91-kilometre Kiang West Roads Project, reaffirming his government’s commitment to infrastructure-led and inclusive development across The Gambia.
Barrow says his administration has since 2021, pursued a development agenda aimed at reducing inequality and ensuring inclusive growth, adding that road infrastructure remains central to economic development.
He said the new road network has ended years of isolation in Kiang West, particularly during the rainy season when movement, trade and access to basic services were severely affected.
The project, valued at about 1.2 billion dalasis, is expected to improve connectivity for more than 30 communities and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
Barrow said improved road infrastructure would support farmers in transporting produce, reduce business costs, and attract investment to rural areas, while also improving access to health, education, electricity and water services.
According to him, his government had prioritized road construction as part of efforts to decentralize development and address rural-urban migration.
He says that since 2017, more than 18.5 billion dalasis had been invested in road infrastructure, resulting in over 1,200 kilometres of all-weather roads constructed using domestic resources.
He cited completed projects including the Banjul Roads, Drainage and Sewerage Project, the Niumi-Hakalang Road, the Sabach Sanjal and Saloum roads, as well as the Kiang West project, noting that work is ongoing on the Kabada roads.
Barrow said an additional 375 kilometres of paved roads are expected to be added to the national network by the end of 2026.
He noted that the Kiang West project was implemented by Gambian firms GAI Construction Company and City Scapes Consultancy under the supervision of the National Roads Authority, adding that this reflected efforts to build local capacity and create jobs.
Barrow commended engineers, technicians and workers involved in the project and thanked local communities for their cooperation.
He urged road users to respect traffic regulations and maintain the infrastructure, describing roads as a shared national asset.
The president officially declared the Kiang West Roads Project open for public use.