State House, Banjul, 26th March 2024: On Tuesday, President Adama Barrow received the Minister of Youths and Sports, Honourable Bakary Badjie, together with his team to update the President on the Ministry’s ongoing activities at State House in Banjul.

The forum aimed to update the President on progress in infrastructural development for young people and sports. It also provided a briefing on the ongoing renovation of the Independence Stadium and other infrastructures developed across the country from Kafuta, Bwiam, Janjanbureh, Sandu, and Farafenni Youth Center, supported by other development partners.

Honourable Badjie said most of the projects have advanced. However, he highlighted the challenges the Ministry has encountered over the past months, such as budget constraints and contractors’ late completion of projects. “The completion part of the football fields have been poor, but they have been completed and handed over to the community except Kafuta,” he said.

President Barrow commented on the presentation and said he was happy the projects were completed but disappointed over the long delays due to contractual issues. He expressed concern over the delivery level of some contractors and consultants contracted for the projects and how to move forward to ensure they deliver on time. “We want to support Gambians, but there are challenges,” he asserted.

Considering the experiences and lessons learned, President Barrow called for the Government to look for better alternatives in giving out contracts.

Honourable Badjie said he is optimistic about improving work at the Ministry, with continuous support from the President and all the executives.