By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
President Adama Barrow promised to build a road costing $1 million US Dollars per kilometre when he spoke to the “Serer Community from Jeshwang Ndangan” in a televised meeting live on EyeAfrica TV. The meeting was overshadowed by the President’s statements that he would instruct the Inspector General of Police to clamp down on rallies and political gatherings after the 4th December 2021 Presidential Elections.
Understandably, so President Adama Barrow’s promise that the road going through Jokor and connecting to Abuko “will cost $1 million USD per kilometre. This will be D50 Million for one kilometre of the road,” did not get the same attention from Civil Society Organisations who condemned President Barrow’s IGP instruction statement.
Below is the link to the video where President Barrow made the statements in Wollof from the 1hr 33 mins mark.
Transcript of President Adama Barrow excluding some inflammatory Speech
“Sweet words alone don’t develop a country. Work is what develops a country. We speak less and work a lot. That’s why I said leave them to keep talking while we continue to work.”
“This month coming on the 4th of September 2021, the roads and bridges we have constructed in URR we are going to inaugurate those roads on the 4th of September 2021. We want the whole of Gambia to be aware of the inauguration. This will be a big event which will gather all Gambians to show the work we are doing. There are some people who are giving incorrect information but, on that day, it will be very clear on September 4th 2021.”
“The construction work that we are doing in Banjul we said after the elections we will start doing construction works in Serrekunda / KMC. Because we have seen that the development of the country needs roads. If there are no roads then it will be difficult for us.”
“Your constituency, New Jeshwang has a road that passes through Jokorr which is part of our OIC projects and we have identified a contractor. At this moment the negotiations have been concluded. We are about to sign the contract and as soon as we launch the project you will see us at Jeshwang. That road that goes to Jokorr and connects to Abuko. We are going to build that road.”
1$ Million USD per Kilometer 1st Class Road
“It will not be an ordinary road that we are going to construct. It will be a first-class road. Every kilometre will cost $1 million per kilometre. This will be D50 Million for one kilometre of road that’s what we will be using to construct the roads. You will have first-class roads that everyone can use.”
“Those roads will start construction soon. There has been a lot of noise from many saying the construction will not be completed. The work will not be possible.”
President Adama Barrow’s infamous IGP Statement
“Since when I took power in 2017 still there are some people who are politicking every day. Every day they are drumming and blocking the roads. Every day they are on Social Media and every day they are [——-] people. This time on the 4th of December if we win that will end in the Gambia here.
“After that, we will give instructions to Inspector General of Police anybody who wants a permit will not be given one. We want to continue working. All those actions that people are doing blocking the roads have no benefit for Gambians.”