Addressing tens of thousands of people who flocked into the Basse Mini-Stadium, earlier on Friday evening, the Gambian leader asserted that political affiliation has no relations to national development. Gambians, he said, should unite and work together for the interest of their nation - The Gambia.

President Jammeh also called on Gambians to come together as one, despite political differences, and to work hard for the progress of the country.
"I have come to work and develop this country. We want to bring developments that will benefit everyone. But to attain those developments, we must come together under one umbrella with one aim, which is to develop our country," President Jammeh told the gathering. "Even the opposition, if they like to see the progress of this country, they should work hard to ensure that The Gambia is developed," he added.

Attitudinal change, the president noted, is essential among Gambians, especially among the men folks. According to him, women of The Gambia remain at the forefront in making sure of  the good living and better upkeep of their families, with their male counterparts remaining largely indifferent. This is a rather disturbing subject that has featured in almost all of the president's speeches throughout his 'Dialogue with the people'. The central message has been collective efforts towards national development.

The Gambian leader again reiterated what has become a familiar call of his, for the men to desist from the practice of spending all their time sitting at Bantabas (village meeting points), leveling unnecessary criticisms on other people, instead of working hard for the development of the country. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the issue of foreigners taking advantage of all the available job opportunities in the country at the detriment of Gambians, whom he condemned for doing nothing but remaining visionless, while they keep saying that this country is hard.

He forwarded a strong advice for Gambians especially the youths, calling on them to take up skills training and to venture into profitable businesses, to enable them to earn more and contribute positively to the development of the nation. Responding to some of the concerns raised by previous speakers during the meeting, President Jammeh said: "My intention is to provide electricity for the whole country. The Rural Electrification Project Phase II is in the offing and the Upper River Region is among the beneficiaries." "In fact," the Gambian leader went on, "light fuel generators will be changed to heavy fuel generators, to enable NAWEC to supply enough electricity to the country."

Earlier, shortly before the meeting at the Basse Mini-Stadium, President Jammeh visited the SOS Kindergarten Village in Basse, where he laid a foundation stone for the construction of one more hut. He also disbursed thousands of dalasis to the children in the village. resident Jammeh and delegation then proceeded to the Basse Health Centre, where he expressed dissatisfaction over the protracted nature of the ongoing construction. This project is said to be part of an overall plan designed to transform the Health Centre into a modern regional hospital. President Jammeh cautioned the proprietor of ALCO Gambia Limited Company, who was contracted to do the building, to ensure the speedy completion of the work.

The Gambian leader later joined thousands of worshippers for Friday prayers at the Basse Central Mosque, where he donated D300,000 to the elders before leaving for a visit to a farmland allocated to him by the people of Banna Tenda, a settlement located in the outskirts of Basse. President Jammeh also visited a banana farm in Bakadaji, belonging to one Bajeja Jawara. The banana farm is reported to measure 10 hectares, with 10 employees (youths) on its pay scale. The owner of the banana farm told the president he cultivates an array of plants, among them cassava, corn and other cereals. In a gesture of encouragement, the president promised to construct a borehole on the farm.