The Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, yesterday returned to Banjul after 10days crisscrossing the country, as part of his 'Dialogue with the people tour'.

Days of preparation in anticipation of the president, clearly the people's president, resulted in a tumultuous welcome for him. From Brikama in the Western Region, KMC, right to Banjul, there were extraordinary scenes with tens of thousands of people lining the streets, and thousands more accompanying him all the way to the State House.

For a great many people in the Greater Banjul Areas, 10 days absence of the Gambian leader had been months, and an understanding President Jammeh appeared well aware of this, all the while reciprocating the people's gesture of support with constant waving and smiling, all the while throwing biscuits as a way of maintaining some kind of friendly contact between president and people.

President Jammeh's return to Banjul does not mark the end of his 2009 'Dialogue with the people tour' as he is set to continue on it with the people of the Western Region, KMC and finally Banjul. When the presidential delegation departed Kanilai, where the Gambian leader spent two nights, it headed for Mandinaba where he was to inspect the just completed Mandinaba-Seleti Road project. By 4pm, the delegation was been escorted by the people of the Western Region, led by Governor Lamin Sanneh.

The people of the Kanifing municipality, headed by Mayor Yankuba Colley, received the presidential convey in Lamin Village, accompanying it through Tabokoto, Tallinding, Westfiled, up to the Denton Bridge, where Banjulians, led by Mayor Samba Faal, where all set to receive them.

As the delegation approached Banjul, the procession became all the more slower, with top Gambian artists like Jaliba Kuyateh, Sedhiou Band, Army Band, Musa Afia Ngum, the Senegal based Gambian Mbalax star, Magnificent Joe, among many others, filling the air with melodious songs full of thanks and praises for the Gambian leader, laying emphasis on his development and heroic stance. It took the presidential convoy about five hours from Brikama to Banjul, with every single person along this route wanting to have a glimpse of a leader they clearly adore.

This year's welcome ceremony, it has been observed, symbolises unity among all Gambians. It also shows how increasingly popular the Gambian leader has become over the past years. It has been described by many as one of the best if not the best welcoming party ever organised for the president.

Visit to Mandiba - Seleti Road
The president's 10th day engagement began by the visit to the 12.7kilometer road project which is part of the European Union (EU) funded road network project with a total investment of 3.2 million Euros. With Balast Nedam as the contracting agent, construction of the road lasted for nine months.

At the Gambia-Senegal boarder in Giboroh, President Jammeh, out of pure magnanimity, gave out the sum of D50, 000 to both the Gambian and Senegalese security personnel there. The elders of Giboroh, who had recited the Holly Qur'an in prayers for the new road, also benefited from a D50, 000 donations from the president.

The presidential tour continues tomorrow with a visit to the Wellingara Horticultural Centre, and two meetings inMarakisa and Gunjur.