By: Momodou Gagigo
President Adama Barrow continues his nationwide meet-the-people tour in electrifying fashion on monday in Busumbala, West Coast Region, declaring that development will no longer be held hostage by politics or delays.
Thousands of National People’s Party (NPP) supporters, dressed in green and white, welcomed the president with traditional drumming, dancing, and chants of “Barrow 2026!” as he pledged immediate action on long-standing demands for better roads, agricultural support, and youth employment.
“No more delays,” Barrow thundered to wild applause. “Busumbala will get good roads and more. We are here to serve the people, not to play politics.”
The president did not mince words about the opposition, calling their previous control of the area “the greatest mistake” and vowing to put the people’s interests above political rivalry. In a pointed reference to past practices, he urged women to unite for progress and declared: “No pulling people from houses to attend meetings here.”
Minister of Works Ebrima Sillah fired the opening salvos, announcing major infrastructure projects including a direct link from Busumbala to Njoguba Junction and the coastal highway, upgrades to the Tanji market into a modern facility, and accelerated coastal road improvements. He accused opposition parties of being “violence instigators” and warned citizens to remain vigilant against attempts to disrupt voter registration.
Sillah also blamed the opposition-controlled Brikama Area Council for stalling market projects in Brikama and Brufut due to ongoing court cases, drawing boos from the crowd.
NPP’s Ahmed Gitteh sought to rise above the fray, insisting the tour was about national interest, not party politics. “Development should never be a political football,” he said.
