“Barrow’s Rural Road Revolution Gains Momentum as Connect Gambia Expands Across CRR and URR”

As The Gambia moves steadily toward another crucial election season, the government of President is intensifying what many observers describe as one of the country’s most ambitious rural infrastructure drives in decades. Following the recent commissioning of major road networks in Kiang, Nuimi and Kombo, the administration has now advanced its nationwide feeder roads expansion into the Upper and Central River Regions.

From the Upper River Region, the presidential groundbreaking tour for the nationwide 1,500-kilometre road project continued into the Central River Region amid jubilation, relief and growing optimism from beneficiary communities long affected by poor road access and isolation.
At a well-attended ceremony in Niani, President Barrow reaffirmed his government’s commitment to building “a prosperous and modern Gambia” as he laid foundation stones for 49.2 kilometres of roads linking several provincial settlements across the region.
The roads earmarked under the latest phase of the “Connect Gambia Project” include:

Jarumeh Koto – Manna – Salikeneh – Jarumeh Kuta – Kayai (12 km)

Wassu Junction – Kuntaur – Jakaba – Niani Sukuta – Barajally Tenda (16.4 km)

Nyagabantang – Bakadaji (10.8 km)

Wassu – Kataba Omar Ndow – Kataba Seringe (10 km)

President Barrow assured residents that the projects would be implemented steadily and urged communities to remain patient as development efforts continue across the country. He emphasized that Niani and neighbouring settlements remain central beneficiaries of the government’s expanding infrastructure agenda.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Lamin Jabbie, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and a native of the region, praised the President for what he described as transformative development reaching previously neglected communities.

Minister Jabbie assured residents that the roads would be fully completed, noting that similar projects launched in other parts of the country have already materialized. He recalled the painful struggles women and patients endured in seeking urgent healthcare services due to inaccessible roads, saying the new network would significantly ease transportation challenges and improve access to essential services.
“In less than ten years, developments many considered impossible are now becoming realities under President Barrow’s leadership,” the minister stated.
Excitement and appreciation echoed throughout the gathering at Wassu as community leaders and residents reflected on decades of neglect and isolation from basic infrastructure and public services. Speakers described the project as a historic intervention that would improve mobility, stimulate local trade, support agriculture and uplift livelihoods across the region.
The nationwide “Connect Gambia Project,” implemented under the government’s Yiriwa development agenda, is aimed at expanding inclusive national development through modern infrastructure and improved rural connectivity.
With Badibu, Jarra, Kiang, Nuimi, Kombo, URR and now CRR all witnessing major road interventions, the government’s rural transformation agenda continues to gather political and developmental significance ahead of the national elections.