By Yunus S. Saliu
President Adama Barrow has described the 50-kilometre Urban Roads Project as a long-term investment in The Gambia’s development, saying the infrastructure will continue to generate social and economic benefits long after the 2024 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit.
President Barrow made the remarks Saturday at the inauguration of components 6, 9 and 20 under Lot 2 of the project in Brufut, West Coast Region.
The President said although the roads were partly developed in preparation for the OIC Summit hosted by The Gambia in Banjul in 2024, their importance extended far beyond the international event.
“Today, we are enjoying some of its lasting benefits,” Barrow said, stressing that the infrastructure was built to serve Gambians for decades.
He said those who assessed the investment solely from the perspective of hosting the OIC Summit had underestimated its wider value, noting that its social and economic benefits would “exceedingly outweigh the monetary value” of the project.
According to Barrow, the completed roads will improve mobility, facilitate the movement of goods and services, enhance accessibility and contribute to the development and modernization of urban communities.
He described urban roads as critical infrastructure for a growing country, linking residential areas to commercial centres, businesses to markets, workers to workplaces and families to essential services.
“What was initially an investment in preparation for that international event has become a long-term investment in the people and future of The Gambia,” he said.
The President urged Gambians to take ownership of the infrastructure by protecting and maintaining the roads for future generations.
He said the completion of the project should also prompt broader reflection on national development, particularly as towns and cities continue to expand.
Barrow called for urban infrastructure to keep pace with population growth, saying communities must become better connected, safer and more accessible while creating an enabling environment for economic activity.
He also encouraged the private sector, entrepreneurs and communities to take advantage of opportunities expected to emerge around the new road infrastructure.
The President expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Fund for Development for supporting The Gambia’s infrastructure development efforts.
He also thanked the OIC, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, the National Roads Authority, contractors, engineers, consultants, local authorities, traditional leaders and communities for their contributions to the project.
Barrow said the OIC Summit demonstrated The Gambia’s capacity to host the international community and deliver on a major commitment, adding that the infrastructure developed for the occasion now belongs to the Gambian people.
The inauguration was attended by cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, diplomats, religious and community leaders, party supporters and residents, among other dignitaries.
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