By Yunus S. Saliu
President Adama Barrow on Saturday launched several major road projects covering approximately 255 kilometres in the North Bank Region as part of his weeklong nationwide tour to inaugurate infrastructure and development projects.
The tour, held under the theme “Connecting Communities, Transforming Lives,” runs from 8 to 15 August 2026 and covers the North Bank, Central River and West Coast regions.
During the first day of the tour, President Barrow laid foundation stones for several road project lots in Barra, Fass Njaga Choi, Bakalarr, Jurunku and Kerr Samba Kalla.
He also handed over an ambulance to the health facility in Fass Njaga Choi before proceeding to Kuntaya, where he addressed a general meeting.
Speaking at the gathering, President Barrow described the road projects as significant for the North Bank Region, saying they would improve connectivity, support agricultural development and contribute to economic growth.
He said the projects, which connect communities in Barra, Bakalarr, Jurunku, Kerr Samba Kalla and Kerr Cherno Omar, demonstrated his government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and opening up rural communities.
According to President Barrow, the North Bank Region is one of the country’s major agricultural areas and an important gateway to neighbouring countries.
He said improved roads would enable farmers to transport their produce to markets more efficiently, reduce post-harvest losses and improve household incomes.
“Wherever roads go, development follows,” President Barrow said, adding that improved infrastructure would also promote trade, create employment and expand opportunities for young people.
He said the government’s infrastructure programme was guided by the YIRIWAA National Development Plan, which seeks to improve connectivity among communities across the country.
“Gambian communities should not be disconnected. The size of the country is such that no village should feel isolated, no child should struggle to reach school, and no patient should find it difficult to reach a health facility,” he said.
President Barrow said his administration’s development agenda was focused on delivering projects rather than making promises, adding that the government would continue to fulfil its commitments to the Gambian people.
He commended the Ministry of Transport, the National Roads Authority (NRA), contractors and their teams for their contribution to the country’s infrastructure development.
The President urged contractors to maintain high standards and ensure the timely completion of the projects.
He also called on communities along the road corridors to cooperate with contractors during construction and protect completed infrastructure from vandalism and misuse.
President Barrow urged community leaders, elders, women and young people to take ownership of the projects, stressing that their success would depend on collective responsibility.
He further called on citizens to contribute to national development by paying taxes, protecting public property and maintaining peace and stability.
“Despite our achievements, the best days of this region are yet to come,” he said, reaffirming his government’s commitment to the development of the North Bank Region and the country as a whole.
Also speaking at the gathering, National Roads Authority Managing Director Sulayman Sumareh Janneh highlighted the importance of the Connect Gambia Infrastructure Initiative.
He said the projects would help ease transportation challenges and strengthen connectivity among communities in the North Bank Region and beyond.
Janneh assured the gathering of the NRA’s commitment to delivering durable and quality road infrastructure that responds to the needs of communities and contributes to economic development across the region.