Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow has begun a six-day nationwide tour to launch the construction of more than 200 kilometres of feeder roads, describing the initiative as a long-awaited effort to connect rural communities to markets and accelerate agricultural growth.
The projects, funded jointly by the Gambian government and the World Bank at a cost of about $25 million, are expected to improve access to remote farming areas and strengthen the country’s agricultural value chains.
The president, accompanied by cabinet ministers, World Bank officials, and other senior government representatives, departed from the Banjul Ferry Terminal, where he was seen off by Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow, several ministers, and security chiefs. He boarded the new Barra ferry after receiving a guard of honor from the Gambia Navy.
Explaining Why the Projects Are Being Rolled Out Now
During the first leg of the tour in the North Bank Region, Barrow said the feeder road program reflects his administration’s focus on infrastructure as a driver of rural development.
According to the president, expanding road access to hard-to-reach farming communities is essential for unlocking the country’s agricultural potential.
He argued that many rural producers struggle to bring their crops to markets due to poor transport links, adding that the new roads are designed to bridge that gap and stimulate local economic activity.
“These projects are unprecedented,” Barrow said, emphasizing that his government is prioritizing infrastructure that directly supports socio-economic growth and agricultural productivity.
First Phase of Road Launches
The president’s first stop was Kerr Jatta in the Lower Nuimi District, where he laid the foundation stone for a 7.3-kilometer road linking Kerr Jatta, Ndofan, and Kerr Walli to the main highway.
He also launched work on a nine-kilometer stretch connecting Fass Njaga Choi to Ndungu Kebbeh. Additional ceremonies were held for nearly 13 kilometers of roads in Kerr Selen and Kuntaya, which will link several communities in Jokadu.
Barrow later moved to the Baddibu area, where he laid foundation stones for 22 kilometers of roads that will connect 12 communities in Makka Farafenni, Illiasa, and Yallal Tankonjala to the national road network.
The construction contracts have been awarded to Chino Gam, a Chinese construction firm, with the projects expected to be completed within two years.
Agriculture and Market Access
Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally welcomed the initiative, saying the partnership with the World Bank will significantly strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.
He noted that improved road infrastructure will help farmers move produce more efficiently from rural farms to urban markets.
Presidential adviser Momodou Sabally described the program as a “game-changer” for food security and sustainability, arguing that easier transport will allow farmers to sell their produce more reliably.
Funding for the road construction is being provided through a World Bank grant under the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, which aims to strengthen agricultural productivity and resilience across the country.
The feeder road initiative will continue across the North Bank, Central River, Upper River, and West Coast regions during the president’s tour.
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