By: Momodou Gagigo on the tour
President Adama Barrow brought his “Meet the People Tour” to the opposition stronghold of Brikama on Sunday evening, rallying thousands with sweeping promises of new roads, expanded infrastructure, and agricultural investment while launching a blistering attack on the Brikama Area Council Chairman, Yankuba Darboe, whom he accused of gross negligence and incompetence.
Speaking at the SSP in Brikama, Barrow declared he would personally deliver the feeder roads and other projects “the chairman has failed to build,” revealing that quality asphalt roads cost approximately D25 million per kilometre – money he claimed the council had squandered or never mobilised.
“I will wipe Chairman Yankuba Darboe from the development map of this area and continue the work myself,” the President thundered to wild applause.
Earlier in the day, Barrow inspected the ongoing 50-kilometre OIC Urban Roads Project in the Greater Banjul Area, expressing satisfaction that Lot 1 (11 roads) stands at 87% completion and Lot 2 (6 roads) at 72%. He stressed the roads would ease traffic congestion and reduce flooding.
Flanked by a phalanx of cabinet ministers, Barrow announced immediate plans to construct new feeder roads from Jida, Jah Oil to Jambang Sanneh, and to widen the Brikama–Gunjur highway to four lanes. The long-awaited Jaliba Kuyateh Road, he revealed, will be inaugurated next month.
Ministers piled on the criticism of Chairman Darboe. Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally branded him “not development-oriented,” while Works Minister Ebrima Sillah issued a pointed warning to former President Yahya Jammeh to “be careful” and cautioned against “glittering politicians with no substance.” Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay described Barrow as “humble and unopposed in 2026.”
Tourism Minister Hamat N.K. Bah warned local leaders against the illegal allocation of government land, stating emphatically: “President Barrow will not allow anyone to destabilise this country.”
Traditional leaders and women’s representatives, including Kombo North Chief Mondo Jatta and Lady Councillor Aja Bah, pleaded for the urgent construction of feeder roads linking satellite communities to the main highways.
Barrow later visited the SIG Venture Poultry Project in Abuko and promised a modern football field for Kombo East. “Many who are beating their chests today were nowhere to be found during the hard times,” he said, drawing roars of approval from the crowd.
With the 2026 presidential election already looming, Sunday’s tour served as both a development pledge and a stark political message: in the West Coast Region, Adama Barrow intends to campaign – and govern – over the heads of local authorities he deems obstructionist.
