STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA, MR. ADAMA BARROW
STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA, MR. ADAMA BARROW, ON THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF BRIKAMA MARKET PHASE I
HELD IN BRIKAMA ON
MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2023
Honourable Cabinet Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps,
Honourable National Assembly Members,
Service Chiefs, Senior Government and Public Officials,
Governors, District Chiefs, Alkalolu, and Religious Leaders,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It could be recalled that a few months ago, twenty (20) canteens of this market were burnt down in an unexpected fire outbreak. It was heart-breaking for the canteen owners to see their goods and assets perish. The loss was devastating, especially for those who had just established new businesses.
Upon receiving the news, my government promised to rebuild the whole market. It is most gratifying that, despite all the global economic crises, the Government was able to fully fund the first phase of the Market Project at an estimated cost of thirty-eight and a half million Dalasi (GMD38.5 million).
My happiness is obvious, therefore, that I am here, with you, to inaugurate what will soon become a busy business hub in the West Coast Region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last week, I was in SabachSanjal in the North Bank Region to inaugurate a fifty-four-kilometre road. These recent inaugural ceremonies, like those before them, are outcomes of my government’s vision to provide an agreeable environment where Gambians can access basic services that would enable them to lead decent and dignified lives.
We are convinced that such transformative initiatives are always positively impactful on social life. We are certain also that, as expressed in the new National Development Plan (2022-2027), the nation can develop faster only if the environment is enabling enough for the private sector to flourish. The tell-tale sign of our conviction to the people’s development is the chain of visible physical features and developmental breakthroughs we continue to register around the country.
This is what inclusive development is about. It implies participation, progress, and advancement for all; that is, for those in the public and private sectors, as well as for individuals and communities in urban and rural settings.
Consequently, we will continue to traverse the country with responsive development interventions that ease the suffering of the people and improve their living conditions, without undue costs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is an opportunity to re-echo my government’s commitment to improving businesses and business centres in order to revitalise and transform our economy. Already, we have built markets in Farafenni, Soma, Basse, and Latri-kunda. These centres facilitate trade and commerce and, thereby, enhance income creation for businesses within business-friendly environments.
Although the Brikama Market facility has come to fulfil a long-standing desire of the residents in the West Coast Region, it accords with a key flagship component of the Draft National Development Plan.
The expected output of the market master plan is a modern multipurpose one-stop business facility of international class that would be the first of its kind in The Gambia and the sub-region.
Upon completion, the new market will accommodate more than one thousand, two hundred (1200) stores and various zones and facilities for assorted commodities and activities. All these are meant to boost its commercial visibility and viability.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Brikama is one of the large settlements in The Gambia, and it is in the biggest administrative region. With over seven hundred and thirty thousand (730,000) residents in the area, the market is designed to serve a population size of over eighty-three thousand (83,000). Because it is a huge project, it is designed in phases.
Phase One consists of eighty-eight (88) stores and the other facilities and health and safety measures described in the project profile.
With this edifice, my government has laid the foundation for an ultra-modern international market that will make every Gambian proud. It will certainly be an added beautiful architectural landscape design in the heart of Brikama.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
The entire project is entrusted to the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, while the design and construction supervision is assigned to The Gambia Agency for the Management of Public Works (GAMWORKS). I commend both entities for acting speedily and efficiently, leading to the successful implementation of this phase. I also congratulate the Contractor, GAI Enterprise, on the successful and timely completion of the project, and I look forward to similar commitment from those who will implement the remaining phases.
The immense pressure on the country’s financial resources arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine War, and other global challenges will not stop us from meeting our social responsibilities. Thus, I appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs for putting together the required resources for this significant achievement.
Likewise, I acknowledge the cooperation of the Office of the Governor, Brikama Area Council, the market vendors, and the residents of Brikama during the implementation of the project. I thank them and ask for their continuous collaboration for the proper use and maintenance of the facilities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is now my pleasure to declare Phase One of the Brikama Main Market inaugurated for public use. I pray that the Almighty Allah grants us the grace of witnessing the inauguration of the remaining phases.
Thank you all for your attention.
