By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow on Sunday officially laid the foundation stone for the construction of 13.6 kilometers of feeder roads in the Upper River Region (URR), a move aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and market access.
The project, financed by the World Bank through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security’s Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV), will link farmlands to major highways and key marketplaces.
Lot 1 of the development includes an 8.2km stretch from Sare Fodike to Sare Jammu Mballow in Sandu and a 5.4km stretch from Chamoi Bunda to Limbambulu in Wuli West. The Pace and Ceeteq Joint Venture has been appointed to oversee the construction works.
Addressing community members benefiting from the project, President Barrow highlighted that the initiative primarily targets agricultural communities, particularly rice farmers, who face challenges in accessing markets due to poor road conditions.
He addressed criticisms regarding project funding, emphasizing that while the World Bank is supporting the initiative, domestic taxes also play a crucial role in national development. “Those seeking the presidency—if elected—will they use their own money to build roads?” the president asked. He added that past tax revenues were often misappropriated, but under his administration, taxes are being used for their intended purpose.
President Barrow assured the residents of URR that the feeder roads represent only the beginning of a broader development agenda, with major infrastructure and community projects slated for 2027–2031.
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