Thousands of people mostly youths and women yesterday lined-up the main entrance into the provincial town of Basse along  the Trans-Gambia highway to receive His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh and entourage as they enter the Upper  River Region (URR) on day three of his 2010 'Dialogue with the people tour'.

The green flags of the APRC party were displayed on both sides of the highway and T-shirts bearing the portrait of the Gambian leader were visible everywhere while dozens of motor cycle owners wearing green clothes, the colour of the ruling APRC party, provided self-organised escort for 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 two hours to reach Mansanjang Kunda, which under normal circumstance is a ten-minute drive from the entrance of Basse.

A group of women interviewed by the Daily Observer said the move was to show to President Jammeh that they are firmly behind his government due to the developments he brought to their area. "We will ever be supporting him because each time we look around we see more developments," the excited women remarked.

Gambisarra meeting
Prior to their arrival in Basse, the president and entourage's first point of call in the region was in Gambisarra in Jimara District, URR, where he held a meeting. Addressing the gathering, President Jammeh expressed his desire to construct a bridge over  the Basse-Sandugu crossing point that connects Basse to Wuli and Sandu  in the northern part of the region. The Gambian leader further expressed his commitment to ensure that the bridge is ready for official inauguration by 2012 during the July 22nd anniversary celebrations.

"The construction work could start even before 2011, but if I do so, you may think it is because of the election. But I swear that no election, neither coup can remove me from power. If I want I will rule until the time I want to retire and handle the leadership to another person I want," President Jammeh told the natives of Gambisarra.

He further expressed  his government's resolve to leave no stone unturned to move the country forward. He then commended the people of Gambisarra for their continuous show of loyalty to him and the APRC party, enlightening the gathering that the Gambisarra people stood by him at a time when many people were not encouraged to embrace his vision. He noted that the community have been rallying behind him for the past 16 years.

The Gambian leader promised to provide Kossemarr with a new ferry to ease the difficulties faced by the community. He said by God willing the kind of bridge that was constructed at Sunkulay Kunda would be equally built between Basse and Sandugu Bolong.

President Jammeh further spoke about his resolve to construct a modern road network in Gambisarra that will link Sotouma-Sira, noting that this is necessary for the community given the current poor planning of the roads in the village, which makes it difficult for vehicles to pass through. He further stressed that the current road planning in the village will even make it difficult for the Fire and Ambulance Service to access some parts of the village in case of disaster; such as fire outbreak.

On the issue of compensating those compound heads that will be affected  during the construction of the said road project in the village, President Jammeh said it will cost the government a minimum of 11 million Dalasis. He then appealed to the residents especially those whose compounds are going to be affected to come together and discuss among themselves and see how best government can construct first class roads in the village.

He further appealed to them to see how best they could come to terms and allow the government to go ahead with the project. "By the grace of Allah, construction works will start. This is not because the election is coming, but I want to make sure that you have the first class road even better than that of the North Bank Region," he stated.

He then confirmed that in the 2001 election, it was only Gambisarra and Jimara who stood firmly to support the APRC; something he said paid a great dividend. "I have never lost a vote in this district. I will make sure that I fulfil all the promises I made for this village," President Jammeh assured the people.

On the issue of security in the area, President Jammeh assured the people of Gambisarra that in five years' time, he will provide the community with enough security that is rarely seen in any part of the country. On agriculture, President Jammeh urged the people of Gambisarra to diversify in farming productivity, urging them to put in practice the cultivation of other varieties. According to him, there are different types of farming, some of which, he noted do not require much power. He specifically stated that findi, beans and cashew farming are the easiest farming practice that one can do and make living.

He further pointed out the immediate benefits of these produced to farmers. "If you are a farmer and want to make fast money easily, plant more cashews and see. In fact whoever wants to cultivate it, I have a type of cashew that can mature in 13 months after sowing it," said President Jammeh.

Speaking earlier, Kalifa Kambi, the deputy minister of Agriculture responded to some of the concerns raised by some speakers concerning his ministry. He assured that all concerns are noted and will be considered.

The deputy minister used the platform to appeal to farmers to keep seeds, and nuts after the rainy season. According to him, the government has plans to expand rice cultivation across the country and urged the farmers to establish associations to work closely with the agricultural extension workers. Responding to the issue of non-licensing of tractors which according to some speakers normally disturb them, Deputy Minister Kambi said that they will look into the issue and see what will be easier for them (farmers) in sustaining the tractors.

Lamin Kaba Bajo, the minister of Water Resources and National Assembly matters, joined the previous speakers to thank the community of Gambisarra for their large turnout at the meeting. He further commended the people of Gambisarra and its satellite villages for their unreserved support to the APRC government since inception in 1994.

As the election is approaching, Minister Bajo urged the people especially the youths to register so as to vote, saying it is through election that one can manifest his or her patriotism and loyalty to the president. He then acknowledged the giant strides made in the area of agriculture in recent times, as a result of the Gambian leader's 'back to the land' call. He then urged the people to utilise the tractors being donated to them by the Gambian leader wisely so as to double their gains after the rainy season.

For his part, Alhaji Haji Kulley Camara, the chief of Jimara District  assured President Jammeh of his people's continuous support. He declared Jimara as a no-go-area for the opposition, noting that they (the opposition) are only good at making unfulfilled promises. Other speakers included: Alhaji Saiba Dukureh, the alkalo of the village and Haja Nyabally-Jallow, on behalf of women among others.

They all re-affirmed their support for President Jammeh and the APRC party. The 3-hour meeting was characterized by the donation of 4 tractors to the Gambisarra villagers and the naming of a new baby after the First Lady, Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh.