President Adama Barrow, of the Gambia has laid the foundation stones for bridges and roads in Upper River Region (URR), on Saturday the 15th of December, 2018 at Bassending about 3km away from Basse, the provincial Capital of URR.
The Basse-Fatoto-Koina road and bridges project in URR of the Gambia was funded by the People’s Republic of China.
On May 19, 2017, China and The Gambia entered into an agreement on economic and technological cooperation.
Also, on July 19, the same year; the two governments signed the exchange of letters on the feasibility study for the construction of the China Aid Road and Bridge projects in URR of The Gambia.
Moreover, three months later on October 12, 2017, entrusted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government organized an investigation team to come to The Gambia to conduct a feasibility study on the road and bridges project in URR of The Gambia. The investigation team had worked on the site for 31 days and did returned to Beijing on November 12, 2017.
On December 10, 2017; the Feasibility Study Report and Project Initiation Proposal of the projects were approved.
President Barrow was accompanied to the occasion by a large crowd of Jubilant named Barrow Youths for National Development, Women and Cultural groups amidst of Fanfare and Political commentaries from political surrogates and griots.
However, President Barrow arrived at the occasion at 17:40pm flanked by the Second Lady, Sarjo Mballow and received by the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, and Speaker of the Parliament, Mariam Denton Jack, Service Chiefs and Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia HE Ma Jianchun.
“I am here today to lay the foundation stones for the long awaited and long overdue projects namely the construction of the Basse-Koina road and the construction of bridges in Basse, Fatoto, Chamoi and Suduwol as well as a Teachers Training College in Basse. Without doubt, this projects marked a significant milestones in the development of the Upper River Region (URR) and the entire country”, the President disclosed.
President Barrow recalled that being growing up in URR and living the most part of his life in the area has exposed him to the realities of the many hours of waiting for vehicle which the people do encounter by moving from one end of the region to another due to poor roads conditions.
He then said that it has always a matter of luck to secure transportation to other places which normally becomes unbearable during an emergency situation.
According to him, the lack of good and adequate road infrastructure in the rural areas lies at the heart of the disparities between rural and urban areas that keep on worsening, noting that with the laying of these landmark projects which the Gambian populace are witnessing today is the evidence of his government’s efforts to minimized rural-urban drift, adding that, it’s also a demonstration of the government’s commitment to rebuild The Gambia.
“Improved road network will serve for better educational reform as well as health services and the creation of a booming business environment to increase the economic status of the rural residents of The Gambia, “President Barrow said that of the new infrastructural projects for URR.
He continued to disclosed that it was during the presidential campaign that he had the singular honor to visit villages and towns particularly those located in the northern part of the URR, stating that he made this promise to the people that if he wins the election, his government’s first infrastructural projects will starts at URR. He said he is happy that his government has kept its promise as the projects come to fruition.
“In 2017, The Gambia happily reestablished ties with the People’s Republic of China to strengthening the diplomatic services as well as trade and economic ties between the two countries.
It was during my visit to the People’s Republic of China in last December that I signed series of agreements including the building of roads and bridges in URR and now, this is a dream comes true,” President Barrow revealed the secret behind the China Project for Infrastructural Development in URR.
He also said that many towns and villages in this region and the Central River Region of the country have been isolated for ages due to poor infrastructures, making it difficult to access farmlands, markets, schools and health centers.
“There is no doubt therefore with these roads and bridges, the residents of this region and everyone else stands to benefit from these projects. When completed the projects will provide vital access for the communities of Tumana, Basse, Jimara, Kantora, Wuli as well as all the communities in Senegal and beyond,” President Barrow reveals the economic benefits that will avail itself to the people of the provinces and the sub region at large.
HE Ma Jianchun, the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia also said that the projects are new milestone of the ever growing and strengthening relations between China and the Gambia, and its populace in a new era, adding that since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries their friendship has been growing and moving forward positively.
“Modern, reliable and efficient infrastructure will spur growth, catalyst economic transformation, and contribute to a high standard of living,” said HE Ma Jianchun.
He expressed his optimistic that the projects will give full expression to the Chinese design, engineering and management and as a first-class construction standard.
