Photo: AP

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, shown in 2006 after his election to a third five-year term. (AP photo)

Kiangkas and the residents of Fulladu Darsilami village in the Central River Region (CRR) will soon benefit from electricity and water supply, according to the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

The president was speaking at meetings held in Fulladu Darsilami and Kiang Kwinella on Days 5 and 6 respectively of his 2013 'Dialogue with the people tour'.

Fulladu Darsilami, a small village behind Brikama-ba in the CRR, has since the transition been a strong supporter of the APRC, while Kiang was previously an opposition stronghold.

The Gambian leader thanked the people of Kiang and Fulladu Darsilami for the warm welcome accorded to him and his entourage. He said: "By the grace of the Almighty Allah, we would start constructing your roads in 2014 and complete everything before 2015 and by the grace of the Almighty Allah you will also get electricity and pipe-borne water. The whole of Kiang would have electricity; already your water project is coming. Your entire request would be met. Whatever promise I made here today would be realised before the next election." He also informed them about the new development package set aside for the youths of the country. He said this would also go with reciprocation, "What I mean by that is that, any youth group that is able to produce up to 1000 bags of either, "Findi", coos, corn or groundnut would be given extra two million dalasi," he explained.

He continued: "Three years from now rice would not be imported in this country. We are going to feed on our own produce and that is eating what you grow and grow what you eat because by 2016, nobody is going to import rice in this country. There is no reason why we cannot be food self-sufficient."

The Gambian leader used the opportunity to warn against provincial nawettan. He said as from henceforth there would be no nawettan starting from Foni Bullock to Koina. He warned that the alkali, chief and any two teams found playing the tournament will be dealt with accordingly.

"It is not fair for your parents to be working on the farms paying your school fees from that proceeds and you choose to stay at home playing football; this will no more be accepted. I want the village "Kafoo" spirit to be revived. You hardly hear about young farmers club anywhere; that is why asthma and hypertension became so common among us. You will see young persons with diabetes, this is not normal and I want to make sure that before 2020 Gambia becomes a food exporter," the president added.

Speaking earlier, the mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, who also doubles as the APRC National mobiliser, thanked the people of LRR for their turnout and for the APRC victories in the region in past elections.

The ministers of Health and Social Welfare, Finance and Economic Affairs, Basic and Secondary education and Fisheries and Water Resources respectively responded to some of the concerns raised by the locals.

First to outline his sector's plans on some of the problems highlighted by locals was the Health and Social Welfare minister, Bala Garba Jahumpa. He said his ministry has already upgraded the Soma Major Health Centre and put in theater facilities covering most parts of LRR that would take care of women with complications. The health minister also announced the delivery of an ambulance to the health centre.

Abdou Kolley, the minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, who doubles as the APRC liaison officer for LRR, told the meeting that a feasibility study for construction of the feeder road linking Sankandi and Tankularr has already been done and they are working to mobilise funds to kick-start the project. "A similar survey has also been conducted on the road connecting Sankandi and Barrow-kunda. These projects will surely be implemented as soon as we mobilise funds for it," the finance minister assured Kiangas.

The Basic and Secondary education minister, Fatou Lamin Faye informed the gathering that government is working to upgrade some lower basic schools in Kiang to upper basics which would eventually bring some new high schools.

"We would soon open a high school in Karantaba and Keneba. There would be no school fees at the upper basic level when schools open in 2014 and the same would be for high schooling after."

For his part, the minister of Fisheries and Water Resources, Mass Axi Gye, assured the Kiangkas that their water need is already captured in the JICA project fund in which Kwinella is given utmost priority.

Locals' account

The chief of Kiang Central, Alhaji Demba Sanyang, welcomed President Jammeh and entourage to his district and assured them of a peaceful meeting.

Chief Sanyang told the Gambian leader that Kiangkas have fulfilled their promise in registering victory in the immediate past elections. He further assured President Jammeh that the trend will continue and Kiang, especially west, will never be left behind.

While listing the numerous developments registered by the Jammeh administration, chief Sanyang used the opportunity to appeal on behalf of all Kiangkas for electricity and potable drinking water supply. He equally thanked President for providing them with rice and sugar amongst a host of other things. He added that as a way of reciprocating the president's gesture, they have also donated three bulls and a ship to a leader they cherish so much.

The governor of the region, Alhaji Lamin Darboe, also welcomed President Jammeh to the LRR. He said the developments registered by the Jammeh government are visible everywhere, citing the trans-Gambia highway as one amongst many. "He has made significant achievement in the areas of health, education, agriculture and in the environment," he said, referring to President Jammeh.

Also speaking at the meeting, Mahany Jallow, lady councilor, appealed on behalf of all Kiangkas, for pipe-borne water, electricity as well scholarship opportunity for boys. She also appealed for an ambulance and theatre facility at the Kiang Karantaba Health Centre, and a skills centre. Like Chief Sanyang, Lady Councilor Jallow further appealed to the president for an electricity and potable drinking water for the people of Kiang. "We have long been misled but have now realised what is best for us," she said, while also appealing for more help from the Gambian leader.

Honourable Yaya Dibba, the National Assembly member for Kiang West, also spoke at the meeting.

"We were in the dark but have regretted that now," said the Kiang West NAM, while also appealing for an ambulance to be at the Kiang Karantaba Health Centre. Rtd. Captain Ebrima Kambi and Alhaji Demba Manneh, APRC district chairman, both spoke at the meeting moderated by Njie Darboe, National Assembly member for Jarra Central, who also doubles as APRC desk officer for LRR.