By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow on Monday renewed a long-standing pledge to construct a bridge linking Banjul and Barra as he presided over the commissioning of a new ferry intended to ease chronic transport bottlenecks along one of the country’s busiest crossings.
Speaking to residents of the North Bank Region, Mr. Barrow said the newly inaugurated vessel, named Barra, would not be the government’s final intervention. Another ferry, to be called Banjul, is expected to follow, he said, even as he reiterated plans for a permanent bridge that would ultimately replace the crossing.
“I will not stop at providing ferries,” Mr. Barrow said. “We will build a bridge that will put an end to everything.”
The Banjul-Barra route, which connects the capital to the north bank of the River Gambia, has long been a critical but strained artery for passengers, goods, and vehicles. In recent years, ferry breakdowns and delays have sparked public frustration and criticism of the government’s handling of the service.
Mr. Barrow pushed back against such criticism, pointing to broader infrastructure gains under his administration. He cited the completion of bridges in Farafenni, Basse, and Fatoto — projects once considered unlikely—as evidence that the Banjul-Barra bridge is within reach.
“There was a time when ferry problems sparked public outrage,” he said. “Some even claimed that The Gambia had never lacked a ferry and that both my government and the country had failed. I find that perspective absurd. To judge a nation’s progress solely on ferry services ignores the strides we’ve made in electricity, water supply, roads, salary increases, and maintaining peace across the country.”
The president acknowledged that ferry services have operated under mounting pressure for decades, driven by rising demand for transport and trade. He described the addition of the Barra ferry as a significant step toward expanding capacity and improving reliability on the route.
The new vessel, he said, is designed to enhance operational efficiency and passenger comfort, though he cautioned that it would not, on its own, resolve the system’s longstanding challenges.
“Infrastructure investment must be matched by professional management,” Mr. Barrow said, calling on ferry authorities to strengthen maintenance systems, control costs, and improve customer service to ensure safe and consistent operations.
He also used the occasion to underscore his administration’s responsiveness to local concerns. Responding to a request from the Alkalo of Barra for the construction of a road, Mr. Barrow said he had already directed the relevant minister to move forward with the project.
“I am your servant,” he told the gathering. “I will deliver on what you ask.”
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