Gambiaj.com – (NBR, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding electricity access and improving road infrastructure across The Gambia’s North Bank Region (NBR) by 2026.
Speaking during two joint meetings held in Badibu Salikenni and Farafenni, President Barrow said his administration is determined to close the decades-long infrastructure gap that has hindered socio-economic progress in the region.
For over sixty years, communities in NBR have struggled with limited access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and markets due to poor roads and inadequate electricity. However, data shared at the meetings highlighted the significant gains made since 2017 under the Barrow government.
Between 1965 and 2016, only nine out of 158 communities in the Lower Nuimi, Upper Nuimi, and Jokadu districts had access to electricity. Since President Barrow assumed office in 2017, 106 additional communities have been connected to the national grid.
In Lower and Central Badibu, 35 out of 60 communities are now benefiting from ongoing electrification projects, a sharp increase from only six communities with electricity before 2017. Likewise, in Sabach Sanjal and Illiasa, 50 communities have gained access to electricity under the current administration, compared to just one in previous governments.
The Bangaly NAWEC Substation, a major infrastructure project in the region, now connects approximately 233 communities to stable electricity for both residential and industrial use.
Towns like Barra, a key commercial hub, and Amdalai, a strategic border point, have seen marked improvements in power reliability, boosting local trade and investment opportunities.
President Barrow assured residents that his government remains focused on delivering sustainable development to the North Bank Region through continued investment in energy, roads, and other vital infrastructure.
“We are committed to ensuring every Gambian, regardless of where they live, benefits from the progress of our nation,” Barrow said, promising that the transformation of NBR’s infrastructure will be completed by 2026.
