By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Wednesday inspected several major ongoing developmental initiatives, including the University of The Gambia’s Faraba Banta campus, the 5.78km Sangajor–Dasilami road, and the 10.2km Kalagi access road linking multiple communities across the Fonis. The road projects are funded by the Government of The Gambia and construction is at an advanced stage.
From project sites, President Barrow and his delegation proceeded to Foni Bondali — a joint convergence point for communities from Foni Bondali, Foni Jarrol, and Foni Kansala in the West Coast Region for a meting
Addressing the crowd, President Barrow underscored the importance of unity and national cohesion. “The Gambia cannot be complete without Foni because Foni is part of The Gambia. You cannot separate Foni from the rest of the country,” he declared.
The President also questioned the political shift in the area in recent years, noting that Foni strongly supported former presidents Sir Dawda Jawara and Yahya Jammeh but withheld its support from him. “In terms of development, I brought more than the past two governments combined. The communities that have electricity during my eight years in power are more than that of Jawara and Jammeh’s eras combined,” he said, adding that leadership must always recognize that its tenure will one day end. “Foni is changing, and we must maintain peace in this country,” President Barrow stressed.
At Foni Bulock, where communities from Foni Berefet and Foni Bintang converged, President Barrow handed over keys to eight newly constructed boreholes to the West Coast Region Governor for onward distribution.
He further announced major expansion works at Bwiam General Hospital, including the construction of new wards, staff quarters, and training facilities.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Demba Sabally, revealed that two new community gardens are being constructed in Foni, alongside several animal husbandry centres to boost local production.
Deputy Governor of West Coast Region and former APRC National Assembly Member, Musa Amul Nyassi, thanked the government for the ongoing projects, noting that two of the three roads he previously requested are now under construction. The outstanding one, he highlighted, is the crucial Sangajor– Cassamance link.
Former APRC lawmaker Hon. Kaddy Camara added that the level of development brought to Foni in the last eight years has never happened before. Chief Omar Kolley of Foni Bondali commended the Ministry of Agriculture for strengthening mechanized farming, which he said has contributed to the reduction of the price of rice. He noted that rice fields abandoned for more than two decades are now fully cultivated due to government support.
Lady Councillor Fatou Jarju assured the President of continued community backing: “You have no enemies in Foni. The people of Foni will support you.”
Youth Representative Galo Gagiko thanked the President for various development interventions including electricity, roads, schools, and health facilities. He appealed for support to fence their football field and transform it into a mini-stadium and also requested a vehicle for the Bondali Police Station.
