By Haddy Touray

President Adama Barrow has urged voters in the Central River Region (CRR) to carefully assess emerging political parties ahead of the December presidential election, accusing some of their leaders of pursuing personal interests and lacking an understanding of the challenges facing rural communities.

Barrow made the remarks in Njau during a ceremony to lay foundation stones for road construction projects as part of his nationwide development tour.

He said the country was entering a campaign season and urged voters to scrutinize the programs and track records of political parties before deciding where to place their support.

“There are new parties emerging; be mindful of them. They are capitalists, only looking for their interest,” Barrow said.

He questioned whether political leaders without experience or a sound understanding of agriculture could effectively address the concerns of farmers, arguing that familiarity with farming and the challenges facing rural communities was important for anyone seeking to improve their livelihoods.

Barrow also cautioned voters against being swayed by short-term incentives, including cash handouts and household items. He instead urged them to assess political parties based on their ability to deliver essential services and major infrastructure.

He cited roads, electricity and hospitals as key areas voters should consider when assessing political promises, while accusing some emerging parties of making commitments they would be unable to fulfil.

The ceremony in Njau formed part of the president’s nationwide development tour, during which he is inaugurating completed projects and laying foundation stones for new infrastructure initiatives.

Meanwhile, Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs Hamat Bah has predicted that President Barrow will secure 98 percent of the vote in Saloum in the December presidential election.

Bah attributed his prediction to the government’s development record in the area and urged residents to increase their support for Barrow compared with the 2021 election.

He also challenged opposition parties to explain what they would offer the people of Saloum that the current administration had not already delivered.

“Some of you people love new things. When new things emerge, you will say, ‘Let’s go there; there is money,’ but it is all deceit. The government is the one in control,” Bah said.

He recalled that during the 2021 presidential campaign, Barrow had pledged to address longstanding development challenges in Saloum, which Bah described as the only part of the country without electricity at the time.

According to Bah, Barrow subsequently committed to extending electricity access throughout the area. He said he was informed shortly before addressing the gathering that communities still awaiting electricity would be connected before December following a directive from the president.

The announcement was met with applause and cheers from the gathering.

Bah also cited investments in roads, water supply and education as evidence of the government’s development record in Saloum.

He said road construction had improved transportation in the area, while access to clean water had been expanded to more communities and several schools had been constructed.

Bah argued that the government’s development record should translate into greater electoral support for Barrow, predicting that the president would receive 98 percent of the votes cast in Saloum in the December election.