In this interview, NPP Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr. Abdoulie Cham told AG Radio that the current “Meet the people” tour has greatly helped Gambians, particularly the farmers. The president is able to meet and hear from the people on this tour, particularly the Gambian farmers, in order to comprehend their challenges and find solutions. Mr. Cham claims that President Adama Barrow’s administration has received $50 million and an additional $68 million from donor partners. Barrow uses these funds to empower Gambian women, farmers, fishermen, and poultry workers to boost their productivity, lower the unemployment rate, and create jobs.
Since the previous governments were picky about which areas they wanted to develop, there used to be water shortages in many parts of the Gambia. However, President Barrow’s administration has implemented a comprehensive program to address the water problem, and as of right now, there are 55 boreholes nationwide as part of his development-oriented program.
Under President Barrow, the Gambia provides the best support for its farmers in the African sub region when it comes to groundnut trade. According to Mr. Cham, the government purchases groundnuts from farmers at a price that benefits the farmers and their families and to improve the groundnut trade and farming in the country.
To support the Gambia’s agriculture industry, the government purchased numerous tractors just last year. In order to boost agricultural output, the government also purchased 7,500 hectares of land for farmers. Since President Barrow assumed office, the government has supplied more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of fertiliser to Gambian farmers. President Barrow’s administration has taken these actions solely to promote agriculture and aid farmers. According to Mr. Cham, the Gambia government also supports the groundnut industry with subsidies.
However, government support extends beyond the agricultural sector; under President Adama Barrow, the government also provides D178.7 million in subsidies to ensure that the nation’s rice prices are both stable and reasonably affordable. Today, a bag of rice in Senegal costs between D2, 450 and D2, 500 which is less expensive compared to Gambia. However, Yahya Nyangado, president of the SECCO Managers Association, told AG Radio last week that the government has failed to improve the situation of the farmers and that more agricultural investment is needed to increase farming in the Gambia, where farmers are the poorest in Africa. AG Radio panellist Mr. Bura Dibba disputes Mr. Cham’s assertions.
“The budget allocation for the Meet the People tour was D6 million prior to President Adama Barrow’s administration, but President Barrow increased it to D30 million. In the 2025 budget estimates, President Adama Barrow would like to further increase this amount to D50 million,” Mr. Bura Dibba laments. “Fatoumatta Touma Njai, the national assembly member for Banjul South, confirmed in the national assembly that President Barrow received D10 million through virement last year on top of the D30 million allowed for the meet the people tour, making it D40 million,” Mr. Bura Dibba added.
In Regards to term limit for the presidency. Mr. Cham claims that although term limits are absent from the 1997 constitution, they are included in the 2024 proposed constitution. Term limits will apply after the next referendum, not before, and it is up to the Gambians to decide that.
In terms of salaries, during the 22 years of Jammeh’s rule, salaries were increased only once; however, under President Barrow, salaries and allowances have already increased twice. Furthermore, according to Mr. Cham, the President promised during his meet-the-people tour that starting in January 2025, salaries for grades 1 through 12 will be increased. In addition, he said that allowances would also be increased.
Mr. Cham commends President Adama Barrow for his national development initiatives, including the construction of cutting-edge police stations. Mr. Cham acknowledges that there are challenges and that President Adama Barrow is doing his best, but Gambians also need to acknowledge the developments the President has made. Every nation in the world, including this one, faces challenges, but President Barrow will keep his word. Since it is up to us to develop Gambia, Mr. Cham urges all Gambians to band together for the nation’s best interests.
