By: Mafugi Ceesay, Alkamba Times Correspondent
The Gambian leader President Adama Barrow has promised to deliver justice and reparation for the victims of the former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh.
The new president elect who won a resounding mandate for a second term also promised to unite the already divided ethnicity in the tiny west African state, saying “the country is divided than ever.”
Addressing the press at StateHouse President Barrow reiterated that he will continue his infrastructure developments, adding “there can’t be development without infrastructure”.
Election
Barrow who prefer journalists calling him President-Elect said his government created a conducive environment for political opponents and citizens to freely elect the best and the language is very clear.
“I don’t believe there is a loser or winner in this election, the Gambia has won.”
He said his government have achieved more than what it promised Gambians because there were 800 kilometres of roads for 50 years, and he constructed 150 kilometres every year.
“And there were no bridges, I built and renovated many schools. Electricity goes on and of more than 17 times but that’s a thing of the past. The language of Gambians is clear and they have recognised what we have done”.
Barrow said his government is negotiating with partners to build the Banjul-Barra bridge and he is confident that it will happen.
He stressed that The Gambia is a small nation that it will not be intimidated by any big country.
Senegal-Gambia
The President also promised that the cost of a flight will be cheaper than a vehicle travelling to Senegal, saying he and Macky Sall are working on that.
TRRC
The President also promised to deliver justice as per the recommendations of the Truth Commission recommendation.
“The TRRC is very important to my government and there will be collective decisions but there will be Justice and reparations.
Constitution
“There will be a new Constitution before the end of my second term in office that will provide a term limit and guarantee absolute majority”.
“My government is creating spaces for industrialised agriculture”, the president elect told journalists.
Ecomig
“Ecomig will be here until they deliver security reforms. We are not paying for it. They spent 12 years in Liberia”. President elect Barrow said, tackling a major question over the future of the sub regional peace support mission.
Youth
On youth-related matters, President elect Barrow said his government is funding the Ministry of Youth and Sports to intensfy youth training in different skills.
Barrow also promised to work with rejected Presidential Aspirants that endorsed him.
“I will love to work with the aspirants that endorsed my candidature since they are Gambians but it was not my agreement to provide jobs for them.” He said.
