By Buba Gagigo
President Adama Barrow has said that his government has reached an agreement with a contractor for the OIC roads construction but is awaiting for Saudi Arabia’s approval to commence work.
“Now we have agreed with the contractor and now if we have no objection from Saudi Arabia, definitely work will start and I believe very soon,” President Barrow said.
President Barrow made this statement on Friday 20th August 2021, while observing recommended OIC roads for construction.
Among the places he visited were Brufut, Sukuta, Kololi, Kerr Sering, Bijlo and Jeshweng.
While the President journeyed through the muddy roads, residents came out chanting.
“We need good roads. We are tired of the struggle, if you [President Barrow] construct our roads, we will vote for you,” they said.
At the end of the President’s tour, he spoke to journalists. He expressed optimism that the roads would be completely constructed before the OIC summit 2022.
He added that the construction of the roads would be ‘a game changer’ for Gambians, especially the residences mentioned.
Asked about what led to the delay of the road construction, Barrow said 57 countries are making decisions for the Gambia to make these roads, which are not easy negotiations.
He urged Gambians to cooperate with his government while working on the roads saying, “without their corporation, we cannot do these roads”.
“I believe we cannot develop without proper roads. These will make a huge development as far as our infrastructure is concerned,” the President added.
Explaining the reason for his visit, the head of state said he has always been briefed on the OIC roads project, but that was not enough for him that is why he went out physically to see the roads for himself.
He said the construction of this road would reduce the congestion in the country.
The proposed roads for construction together are 50 kilometres costing $50 million, according to him.
He said another road to be built is a dual carriage amounting to $82 million, given a combined total cost of $132 million with 50 kilometres costing $50 million.
Madi Jobarteh Reacts
Reacting to the President’s visit, activist Madi Jobarteh described it as hoodwinking and exploiting the People.
“Look at these expensive vehicles posed in front of muddied lakes in our communities as if [the] shooting of a Hollywood action movie is about to begin. This is how politicians hoodwink and exploit their people. They keep them so impoverished, uninformed and destitute and then appear before them in shiny hardware and in immaculate dresses as if they are not from those people”.
“What is President Adama Barrow trying to prove here? For over one year, public announcements and advertisements are bombarded on our radios and television about OIC coming to build 20 new roads as if that will make The Gambia look like Dubai! Yet where are the workers and equipment to build the roads? [The] OIC summit is in November 2022 yet the construction of 20 new roads, not to mention building hotels and hospitals are yet to start. It is less than 20 months to November 2022. Is it that in every month a new road will be constructed?”
“What’s the value in visiting these roads? Is it only to dirty expensive vehicles bought with poor people’s money? These pictures should make the President ashamed to realize that the masses of our people live in these communities thanks to Government failure,” Madi said in a Facebook post.
He said the President should respond to the leakage at the airport and the ‘bad’ roads that are said to be newly constructed, rather than embarking on the visit.
“Instead, let the President respond to the leakage at the airport. To spend 14 million dollars on such an edifice only to have it leaking is unacceptable”.
“Let the President respond to the bad roads that are said to be newly constructed such as the Ice Man road or the road connecting LK Sabiji market to Coastal Road in Wellingara or the never-ending construction of the road from that same market going into Sukuta”.
“The road from Jokor Westfield to Abuko via Talinding and Faji Kunda is horrible. These are among many public works that are substandard yet millions are spent on them. Let the President address that. All of these roads indicate bribery and corruption and inefficiency,” activist Jobarteh added.
Madi finally told Barrow to address the ‘poor’ drainage and sewage systems all over the greater Banjul area, amid the resurgence of the Poliovirus and subsequent declaration of an outbreak in the country.
“The Minister of Health has just announced a polio outbreak precisely because of poor drainage and sewage systems. The polio virus was discovered in Banjul and Kotu yet the President has not even talked about that yet!!!”
“Polio is a more dangerous situation than COVID because it targets children by making them physically disabled hence undermining their growth, denying them opportunities and equality in future!”
“Let the President stop the foolery and respond to urgent national issues. If you have already secured funding for 20 new roads, then let the work begin [rather] than taking expensive vehicles to dirty them in the mud for nothing. Stop playing with public resources!” he concluded.