Saturday, 25th April 2025
Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,
Honourable Ministers,
Honourable Members of the National Assembly,
Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service,
Service Chiefs,
Senior Government Officials,
Regional Governors,
Religious and Community Leaders,
Development Partners,
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Press,
In 2021, my government made a firm commitment to bring development closer to the people. As a result, inclusive development, without discrimination or exclusion, remains our guiding principle. With the conviction that development must never be determined by location or political affiliation, we are here today to celebrate progress in a region that, for many decades, remained constrained by limited infrastructural development and restricted access to opportunity.
Mindful that inadequate infrastructure contributes to rural-urban migration and constrains economic growth, my government’s policy is to decentralise development and create opportunities for all Gambian citizens, regardless of where they live. We continue to pursue this goal through sustained investments in roads, electricity, health services, and other critical infrastructure.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
For ages, Kiang remained isolated, particularly during the rainy season. Movement was difficult, economic activity constrained, and access to essential services limited. This has changed permanently.
The Kiang West Roads Project has opened the region to the rest of the country and, importantly, to the world for business. Farmers can now transport their produce efficiently to markets, and traders can expand their operations with reduced costs and improved reliability.
Furthermore, investors can access opportunities that were previously hindered by poor connectivity. This is what development means. It is about initiating real change in people’s lives and should be measured, ultimately, not only by the structures we build, but by the lives we improve.
Implemented at an estimated cost of GMD 1.2 billion, the Kiang West Roads Project is already delivering that change. It is directly impacting more than thirty communities across the region, bringing connectivity, opportunity, and improved livelihoods to thousands of Gambian citizens.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Road infrastructure is not just about transportation; it is equally about transformation. Roads connect people to opportunity, facilitate electricity expansion, support delivery of potable water, and improve access to services.
Among other services, roads ensure that teachers reach classrooms with ease, medicines reach clinics on time, and farmers reach the markets of their choice. Practically, roads make all other investments work. Development stalls without good roads, but with proper road infrastructure, it becomes visible and inclusive. Such advantages obliged my government to prioritise infrastructure as the foundation for a more connected, prosperous, and equitable Gambia.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since 2017, my government has relied on domestic resources to finance major road development projects. This is unprecedented. Through domestic revenue, we have invested over GMD 18.5 billion and delivered more than 1,200 Km of all-weather roads.
We have significantly transformed connectivity and strengthened national ownership of development. This reflects our vision of using infrastructure as a driver of economic transformation, national integration, and inclusive growth.
Through sustained commitment, we have successfully delivered major flagship projects across the country. These include the Banjul Roads, Drainage and Sewerage Project, the Niumi-Hakalang Road Project, the Sabach Sanjal and Saloum roads, the Kiang West Roads Project, and the ongoing Kabada roads. These are not isolated interventions. They are part of a coordinated national infrastructure programme designed to connect regions, unlock economic potential, and strengthen national unity.
By the end of 2026, my government will have added 375 Km of paved roads to the national network. This huge expansion is the result of strategic policy choices anchored in domestic resource mobilisation and innovative financing mechanisms.
Our strategy is to expand infrastructure at scale, reduce dependency on external financing, and retain investment benefits within the Gambian economy.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a pride that the Kiang West Roads Project was executed entirely by Gambian enterprises - namely, GAI Construction Company and CITY SCAPES Consultancy Company, under the oversight of the National Roads Authority. This demonstrates the growing capacity of our local firms, and it reinforces our commitment to building Gambian expertise, creating jobs, and retaining value in the country. Every kilometre of road constructed by Gambians is an investment not only in infrastructure, but in skills, experience, and national confidence as well.
I sincerely thank the engineers, technicians, equipment operators, supervisors, and labourers who worked tirelessly to deliver this project and, similarly, commend the nearby communities for their patience, cooperation, and support.
As we inaugurate new roads, let us commit to maintaining them. Infrastructure is a national asset that rests on shared responsibility. I urge all road users, therefore, to respect our traffic regulations and safeguard this important investment.
Satisfied that the Kiang West Road Project now stands as a permanent symbol of transformational vision, determination, and national unity, I declare the new 91-kilometre road officially inaugurated and open to public use. May our roads bring lasting prosperity to the nation, strengthen national unity, and advance the continued development of The Gambia.
I thank you for your attention.
