By: Sainabou Sambou
President Adama Barrow on Saturday inaugurated a 50-kilometer urban roads project in Brufut and pledged to build a market and garage for the community, describing the completed roads as only the start of further development.
The Urban Roads Project, covering Components 6, 9 and 20 under Lot 2, formed part of infrastructure works linked to The Gambia’s hosting of the 2024 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit. Speaking at the inauguration, Barrow said the roads were not built only for the summit but as a long-term investment.
He said the project would improve movement of people, goods and services and connect communities to businesses, markets, workplaces and essential services. “Today, we are enjoying some of its lasting benefits. The infrastructure is here to stay,” he said. Social and economic gains would outweigh the cost of the investment, he added, urging citizens to protect and maintain the roads. “Our responsibility now is to ensure that the infrastructure continues to deliver value.”
Barrow thanked Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Fund for Development, and commended the OIC, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, the National Roads Authority, contractors, engineers, consultants, local authorities, traditional leaders and residents. He said growing towns needed better connections, safety and access, and that infrastructure built for the summit now belonged to Gambians and future generations.
As OIC Chair, he called for dialogue and peaceful solutions to conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, and said peace, security and inclusive development should continue to guide the country. He then declared the 50km project open.
At a separate meeting in Brufut the same day, Barrow said the new road was “little in my eyes” and promised a market and garage. He said he would personally lay the foundation stone for the market and later inaugurate it. “I will construct a market for the people of Brufut. I, President Barrow, will be the one to lay the foundation stone and I will be the one to inaugurate the market.”
He criticized the Brikama Area Council, saying it would not build a market because it was “busy quarreling” rather than working. “The Brikama Area Council will not construct any market for the people of Brufut because they are not here to work; they are here to talk,” he said. “Talk is easy, but work is not easy.”
Barrow recalled visiting Brufut in 2016 to seek prayers before the presidential election, including meetings with marabouts and Shariff Moutarr Hydara of Shariff Kunda. He said Hydara told him he was the first presidential aspirant to come seeking prayers, predicted his victory, and asked for the road that former President Yahya Jammeh had not built.
Residents had stood at their gates calling for the road, Barrow said, and that demand had now been met.
He promised more if he wins the next election and accused some opponents of hiding, fleeing into exile or staying away during the struggle against Jammeh, only to return later seeking the presidency. He called some of them “vultures” who became active after the fight ended.
Addressing National People’s Party supporters, Barrow urged them not to be afraid, to respect the law, avoid insults and campaign within the law. He called on Gambians to protect peace and do politics in a civilized way. “I am your servant. What you want, that is what I will do,” he said, adding that he would keep inaugurating roads as the election approaches.
