Basse goes wild again As Presidential entourage enters URR

It was an all green affair, as flags of the APRC were displayed on both sides of the highway, while many people adorned T-shirts bearing the portrait of the Gambian leader. Also, Dozens of motorcyclists wearing green clothes escorted the presidential motorcade. The presidential entourage was escorted all the way to Basse Mansajang-Kunda, where they were installed. The procession was characterised by singing and dancing in praise of the Gambian leader for his numerous achievements. It took the entourage almost an hour to reach Mansanjang Kunda, which under normal circumstance should not be more than a 10-minute drive from the entrance of Basse.

Reward for Gambisarra
The president and entourage held a meeting in Gambisarra in Jimara District, URR, which was attended by hundreds of people. The meeting also witnessed the defection of 15 opposition supporters in Sotuma-Serer to the APRC. Addressing the gathering, President Jammeh thanked the people of Gambissara and environs for the warm welcome accorded to him and his entourage. He expressed his commitment to rehabilitating the Gambissara feeder roads before the November election by the grace of Allah.

While thanking the people of Gambissara for being supportive to him since during the transition, the Gambian leader also informed the gathering that the village was among the first to recognise and support the APRC. He said: “Gambissara was the first village in 1994 to register their unflinching support and loyalty to my government.” While promising the villagers that he will never let them down, a grateful President Jammeh told the gathering that his government will leave no stone unturned to move the country forward. He again commended the people of Gambisarra for their continuous show of loyalty to him and the APRC.

Gambissara-Sotuma Sere roads
President Jammeh assured the people of Gambissara that he will rehabilitate the feeder road linking Gambissara and Sotoma Sere off the Trans-Gambia Highway. He said this is necessary for the community considering the current poor planning of the road, which makes it difficult for vehicles to pass.

Word to the defectors
The Gambian leader welcomed the defectors to the APRC, saying the move shows that even those in the opposition have been seeing for themselves what his government is doing in the country. He assured the people of the area that their appeal for potable drinking water will be addressed after the election.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Njogu Bah, the minister of Works and Infrastructure said the tour is a constitutional requirement, and that the president meets the people every year to discuss with them and know issues affecting them, with a view to finding solutions. He told the gathering that the meeting was not politics because there is no politics in Gambissara. Minister Bah expressed confidence that the people of Gambisara are behind the president and his government, while thanking them for their support to him [President Jammeh]. He also promised that the sky is the limit for them.

He assured the people that the feeder road project agreement has already been finalised, and that the road will be constructed. He revealed that a communication project meant to enhance the communication system in Gambissara and environs is in the pipeline. Minister Bah further revealed that there will be two milling machines for Gambissara (Coos and rice), as well as sewing and ploughing machines. He concluded by calling on the people to go back to the land and grow what they eat since no person can survive in the absence of food.

For his part, Alhaji Saibo Dukuray, alkalo of Gambissara welcomed the president and entourage to his village, describing it as a big honour for them. He said they cannot repay the Gambian leader enough for all he has done for them, but will continue to show their loyalty and support to him at all times. He stated further that the people of Gambissara are very grateful to President Jammeh’s government for the numerous developments brought to their doorstep.

Alkalo Dukuray also used the meeting to commend the governor of the URR, Alhaji Omar Khan; and the commissioner of Police, Ebrima Cham for their good work in the region. Haji Huleh Camara, the chief of Jimara district in his remarks assured President Jammeh of massive victory for the APRC come the 24th November Presidential Election.  He said the president is what the people need and God has given him to them, noting that out of 38 villages in Jimara, 30 are having clean drinkable water. He also used the meeting to urge the youths to support their parents in their farms.

Aja Nyabally Jallow, Gambissara Ward lady councillor welcomed the president and delegation to her region, describing the tour as a very important one for them. She expressed profound gratitude and thanks to the Gambian leader for donating tractors to the URR, and assured that Gambissara will always support the president because he continues to stand for their welfare.

For his part, Muhamadou Sirandu Singhateh, a youth leader, on behalf of the youths expressed their profound gratitude to the president, saying they see him as their brother since the president’s adopted father is from Gambissara. He informed the Gambian leader that the youths of Gambissara have cultivated 20 hectares of land for him in response to his back-to-the-land call.

“We don’t need to campaign in Gambissara because we are steadfast supporters of President Jammeh,” he concluded. Honourable Sellu Bah, National Assembly member for Basse Constituency and APRC desk officer for URR chaired the meeting.