SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. ADAMA BARROW, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. ADAMA BARROW, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA ON THE INAUGURATION OF THE NORTH BANK RURAL ROADS PROJECT (LOT 1) HELD ON 11TH MARCH 2023
VENUE: SABACH SANJAL, NORTH BANK REGION
Honourable Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps,
Honourable National Assembly Members,
Service Chiefs, Senior Government and Public Officials,
Governors, District Chiefs, and Alkalolu,
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s formal road inauguration ceremony speaks for itself. It is, without any iota of doubt, a great day for the communities living along the Sabakh Sokoto, Ngayen Sanjal, Sara Kunda, and Bambali road corridor and for The Gambia in general.
This Road Project, which commenced in November 2021, stretches for fifty-four (54) kilometres along and within various communities. It now imposes itself as a lasting testimony of our unwavering commitment to the goal of upgrading the North Bank Trunk Road to a multi-purpose standard carriageway.
The new nine-metre-wide double-sealed carriageway, connecting the trunk road to the riverside settlements of the region, will significantly promote trade activities and additionally foster regional connectivity.
Furthermore, this notable symbol of development will positively impact thousands of lives, as it will create access to health care and education, while enhancing free movement of people, goods, and other services.
These benefits were recognised and sensibly factored into the project by the partners who dutifully collaborated with us to supplement the funds allocated by my government for the development of this impressive motorway.
I acknowledge, with profound appreciation, the fruitful collaboration among the co-sponsors of the project and their firm support for the Government. NAWEC, the Department of Lands and Surveys, Gamtel, the North Bank Region Governor’s Office, Chiefs, the Alkalolu and their Village Development Committees, and the National Assembly Member for the area have all contributed meaningfully to the realisation of this long-awaited infrastructure development in this part of the Gambian hinterland.
On behalf of The Government and People of The Gambia, I express heartfelt gratitude to all of you for the noble efforts expended to achieve this infrastructural development component of our National Development Plan (NDP).
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Those who knew this part of the country prior to this intervention know that the condition of the road here had deteriorated badly due to a number of reasons. The absence of a proper drainage system stood out vividly as one of them.
To address that pitfall, the issue of a viable drainage mechanism was one of the carefully considered aspects of the project design.
A total of thirty-eight(38) box culverts have thus been constructed to ensure adequate drainage of both the main and access roads. Shallow drains have been constructed as well to conveniently ease the flow of water from the road structure to outfalls.
For the fact that a greater part of the road runs across settlement areas in Sara Kunda, Pallen, and Dibba Kunda, the design and implementation of the project were executed to accommodate all relevant road safety measures. In this regard, specific guard-rails, speed humps, and other road furniture items are mounted at strategic locations for road safety purposes.
Let me reiterate that the construction of this road is another bold step towards fulfilling our mission and promise to the nation. As enshrined in our NDP, we pledge to raise living standards by creating platforms for a dynamic economy that can operate long-term growth and job creation.
We will continue to pursue this mission diligently with the support of the people and in partnership with our friends and partners.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good roads come with countless benefits. The provision of improved access to the great agricultural potential of the northern region and other parts of the country, facilitating effective rural development programmes, stimulating more effective public services, and inducing foreign exchange earnings are examples of the benefits that we can derive from good road and communication networks.
It is conclusive, therefore, that this project is a viable pathway to the economic prosperity and social progress we strive to achieve as a nation.
I am grateful to the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, together with the National Roads Authority under their purview, for their collective support and dedication to the project.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, allow me also to thank the Project Consultants, Pan Arab Consulting Engineers (PACE) and GAMECS, and the contractor, Arezki. Thank you for executing the assignments in your contracts within the planned schedule and budget.
To every other worker who toiled to make the project a success, I say: Thank you for making this big dream come true.We are in no smaller measure obliged to the communities that endured the noise, dust, and all other environmental troubles that erupted during the construction phase of the project. You will come to realise that the road is worth all the trouble you might have encountered.
Let me assure everyone that we will continue to maintain and expand our secondary and feeder road networks to improve communication and conveniently reduce travel time between destinations.
I urge all users of this facility, especially the drivers and communities along the corridor, to abide by the rules adopted for our general safety and comfort so that every one of us enjoys, to the fullest, the benefits attainable from this imposing landmark.
Ladies and gentlemen, with honour and much satisfaction, I now declare the North Bank Rural Roads Lot 1 Project officially open.
May God guide and protect every road user.
