The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh Friday laid the foundation stone of a D25M ice plant project in Basse, Upper River Region (URR) as part of his 'Dialogue with the people tour, 2010'.

The plant, according to the proprietor, Hamid Jah of Jah Oil Company will have a borehole unit, water treatment unit, ice making unit and cold storage facility to preserve the produce of farmers. He further explained that the plant is meant to meet the need for an ice plant in the region, given the fact that most of the ice used in the area comes from the neighbouring Senegalese villages.

Jah told the president and entourage that the construction of the plant will last for about three months and will also create employment opportunities for youths in the region. He added that it would also help curb rural-urban migration. Prior to the laying of the foundation stone of the ice plant project, President Jammeh and entourage held a meeting in Basse, where the Gambian leader told the people that his tour was not a campaign as he is confident of another landslide victory in 2011.

He commended the people of Basse for demonstrating love and support for him, acknowledging that they have ever been loyal to him since 1994. According the president, since he came to power 16 years ago, he has been able to provide for the people of Basse, numerous development projects that both the 400 years and 30 years of British rule and the First Republic respectively were not able to provide. While advising the people not to be carried away by those politicians who are always against his development programmes, the president stated that his government will never entertain politicians who are only interested in their individual interest. "Believe me, they would not have even alkalorship or chieftaincy in my government, since they are enemies of progress," he said.

He then promised to construct first-class roads in Basse by 2013, as well as street-lights and a bridge in 2012 that will also be of equal standard to that of Janjangbureh/Sankulay-Kunda from Basse to Wuli, assuring that by end 2011, the use of ferry will become a thing of the past. "I am not a politician. I am not here to look for money but here to work. So I want you to know that I am again not a politician," he told the people.

He further promised that Phase II of the Rural Electrification Project will be expanded to the other remaining areas in the region. "My intention is to make the power supply 24 hours, but due to the increase in the price of fuel in the global market, there will be at least 22 hours electricity supply," he said.

Farming
President Jammeh then emphasised the need for farmers to diversify in crop cultivation, and urged Gambians to eat what they grow. "I am not asking anyone to farm and give it to me but where the world is heading to in five years to come, if we don't mind, we will have money and cannot have any food to buy," he said.  He then re-echoed the need for diversification in farming, urging farmers to venture into findi, beans and bee-keeping farming, as according to him, these are farming methods that could generate fast income for farmers.

Illegal migration
The president also advised youths to venture into skilful businesses instead of scheming to travel to Europe, noting that 90% of the deportees from abroad are all from the URR. "My government will not hesitate to allow you go anywhere you want, but my government has instituted a law that if you are deported twice and you are being caught somewhere, I swear my government will not pay for your return back. If anybody wants to go, you are free to do but bear that in mind," he said.

Speaking earlier, Kalifa Kambi, the deputy minister of Agriculture underscored the importance of agriculture and its diversification, and advised the farmers to engage in mixed farming system. He enjoined them to venture into other farming activities such as findi and beekeeping, describing them as two easy methods with fast income generating potential. Deputy Minister Kambi urged Basse farmers to emulate the Nerica rice growers of Suduwol towards achieving the Gambian leader's food self-sufficiency initiative. He thanked the two opposition supporters who defected to the APRC during the meeting, and described the ruling party as a party of development.

Also speaking at the meeting, Jato Sillah, the minister of Forestry and Environment, who is also the liaison officer for the URR, spoke at length of his district's intention to vote out the opposition in the 2011 election, while acknowledging the support and loyalty of the people of URR to President Jammeh and the APRC. He urged them to nurture unity among themselves and be grateful to the Jammeh administration for having brought about numerous infrastructural developments to their doorsteps.

The minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Lamin Kaba Bajo talked about the infrastructural development Gambians enjoyed from the Jammeh administration from 1994 to date.Nasiru Barry, the alkalo of Basse, thanked President Jammeh for sponsoring the completion of the construction of their mosque, and prayed for his long stay in the presidential seat.

The chief of Fulladu East, Alhaji Hameh Minteh Krubally, joined the previous speakers to thank President Jammeh and entourage for coming to his district. He further commended the president for providing farmers with fertilizer and further assured of the region's total support for the APRC.He also commended the green boys and girls; alkalolu; youth and women mobilisers, and the village development committees (VDCs) for their support in successfully welcoming the president and entourage to Basse.

Buba Njie, the former United Democratic Party (UDP) regional secretary general and youth coordinator said he was moved by the development projects undertaken by President Jammeh and his government. According to him, after struggling for 16 years, he realised that election could not remove President Jammeh from power. "I am urging all those UDP supporters in the seven districts to come and join the majority now," he stated.Another strong supporter of UDP, who also defected to the APRC recently, Sulayman Manneh of Manneh Kunda, said he was motivated to join the ruling party as a result of the Gambian leader's support for the Islamic religion, manifested on many occasions during the months of Ramadan; and the president's support in the construction of mosques as well as religious functions.

Also speaking at the meeting, Alhaji Banta Tunkara from Banikokero Ward appealed for the expansion of electricity to the remaining areas in Basse. Omar Sompo Ceesay, the chairman of Basse Area Council commended President Jammeh for the good intention he has for Gambians especially the people of Basse. He also thanked him for conferring national awards on a number of people in Basse.

On behalf of the school children, he appealed to President Jammeh to help them with school buses as students in Basse always find it difficult to go out for excursions and meet their mates in the Greater Banjul Area.Mariama Jaw, regional women mobiliser thanked President Jammeh for providing development in all sectors for the people of Basse. She assured President Jammeh of victory come 2011.

For his part, Alhaji Omar Khan, the governor of URR spoke of the unity in his region, and reaffirmed his region's unflinching support to the APRC. He added that they will vote massively for President Jammeh in 2011.Other speakers at the meeting included, Neneh Jallow-Darboe, lady councilor; Donkee Sillah on behalf of The Gambia National Transport Control Association, Basse Branch; Alhaji Mama Tunkara from Alunhari; and Hameh Jabou Krubally among others.