Sites for the construction of 75.7km of GIRAV financed feeder roads in NBR handed over to the contractor

The Gambia Government on 27^th December 2025 handed over sites for the construction of 75.7kilo metres of feeder roads in the North Bank Region to the contractor Chino Gam for the commencement of the construction works.

Hon. Lamin Saidykhan, Governor for the region presided over the brief ceremony held at Njawara village in Lower Baddibou District. A total of eight road within six districts in the region will benefit from the initiative financed by the Gambia Government-World Bank funded GIRAV project.

It could be recalled that The Gambia Government on 9th December this year signed three contracts worth USD16,502,061.30 (equivalent to GMD1,195,904,382.41) with three contractors for the construction of 155.9km of feeder roads across the NBR, LRR and WCR.

In his introductory remarks, Mr. Abdoulie Touray explained that the intervention aims to improve rural connectivity and access to markets for agricultural produce and products as part of government’s agricultural transformation programme.  He explained that the roads to be constructed by Chino Gam include a 24.5km road in Central and Lower Baddibou Districts connecting Minteh Kunda to Njawara through Kerr Pateh Koreh; three roads measuring 22.1km in Upper Baddibou District, two roads measuring 12.8km in Jokadou and two roads measuring 16.3km in Lower Nuimi.

Salifu Jallow, Alkalo of Kerr Ardo Village, speaking on behalf of the Alkalolu of the target communities expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow and his government. He described the gesture as a full fillment of the promise president Barrow made during his meet the people tour. He underscored the importance of the intervention to lives and livelihoods recounting the huge challenges people especially pregnant women and the sick had been enduring for decades.

Mr. Jallow used the opportunity to appeal to the contractor to consider the native youths when employing workers. This he said will help discourage rural-urban and illegal migration as well as help empower the youth and transform their lives for the better.

Alhagie Fabala Kinteh, Chief of Lower Baddibou called on the people of the intervention sites to take ownership of the investments and jealouly safeguard and secure the materials earmarked for the roads construction.

Modou Sanyang, Engineer and GIRAV Focal Point at the National Roads Authority assured that quality and standards will not be compromised. Mr. Wang, the Contractor assured that they will deliver the project on time with quality.

Speaking at the event, Governor Lamin Saidykhan said the intervention demonstrates the importance that President Adama Barrow and his government attaches to the welfare of the people of the region. He called on the local authorities and the people of the region to work in close partnership with the contractor to ensure the timely execution of the project while assuring the contractor of his office’s full support and cooperation. Governor Saidykhan used the opportunity to call on the people of the region to rally behind President Barrow for accelerated national development.  He encouraged the local authorities and the people of the region to work in close partnership with the contractor to ensure the timely execution of the project while assuring the contractor of his office’s full support and cooperation.