President Adama Barrow has described the new nine-meter-wide double-sealed carriageway, connecting the trunk road to the riverside settlements of the North Bank Region as significant and will promote trade activities and additionally foster regional connectivity.
He made the statement at the inauguration of the north bank rural roads project (lot 1) on Saturday in Sabach Sanjal, North Bank Region.
According to the Gambian leader this Road Project, which commenced in November 2021, stretches for fifty-four (54) kilometers along and within various communities, adding that “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.”
“This notable symbol of development will positively impact thousands of lives. It will create access to health care and education while enhancing the 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,” he pointed out.
President Barrow noted that those who knew this part of the country before the intervention know that the condition of the road there had deteriorated badly due to several reasons with the absence of a proper drainage system standing out vividly as one of them.
He added that to address that pitfall, the issue of a viable drainage mechanism was one of the carefully considered aspects of the project design.
“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,” he further said.