In yet another milestone achievement in the annals of The Gambia's development strides, the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh yesterday evening inaugurated the US$5.5 million Sankulay Kunda - Janjangbureh bridge, at a ceremony witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and thousands of people within the catchment area.

It could be recalled that the foundation stone for the Sankulay Kunda-Janjangbureh Bridge was laid on Wednesday, May 13th 2009 by the Gambian leader, during his last year's 'Dialogue with the people tour'.The multi-million dollar bridge, which is described as landmark project and another milestone development that came as a fulfilment of the promise made to the people in the region by President Jammeh, was inaugurated as part of activities of the ongoing 'Dialogue with the people tour'.

Contracted to the Senegalese construction firm Companie Sahelienne D'Enterprise (CSE) in partnership with Acrow Africa Alliance, the bridge  connects the Central River Region administrative town of Janjangbureh to the southern part.The inauguration is seen by the people of the area as a dream come true, making them to shower praises on President Jammeh for his unwavering quest to improve the status of Gambians.

The construction of the bridge has also ended all doubts of bridging the Sankulay Kunda River due to the evil spirits associated to it, which many attributed to the numerous disasters at the river.The bridge, which is constructed entirely with metal bar, has a dual lane carriage, a length of about 121.9 meters with a width of about 7.32 meters, a capacity of 350 tones, footpath 1.5 meters wide and a lifespan of about 80-90 years.

Speaking at a meeting held at the riverside shortly before officially opening the bridge, President Jammeh reiterated that the successful completion of a bridge thought to be impossible is a fulfilment of the pledge he made to the people of the area. He told the gathering that the idea of bridging the Sankulay Kunda River was conceived during the transition period.

He recalled that when he announced his intention to construct the bridge at the Sankulay during his first meeting at Janjangbureh while in military uniform, many elders at that time thought it was a mere pronouncement given the fact that his predecessor [Sir Dawda  Jawara] could not achieve it throughout the three decades of his rule. The Gambian leader then expressed delight that what was thought to be impossible has been made possible by him.

He also recalled that members of the opposition were critical of his pronouncement to construct the bridge, thus using it as mere propaganda to confuse the people of the region. To this end, the president once again reiterated that he is a leader who delivers on his promises, stressing that he does not make empty promises.

The Gambian leader also spoke about the difficulties encountered by the contractors in the course of constructing the bridge due to the nature of the river that is mainly associated with the presence of supernatural. He however stressed that with a continued determination to see the successful completion of the bridge, they have achieved their objectives.

While urging the beneficiary communities to ensure sanitation around the bridge by constructing toilet facilities far from it, the president also spoke about the potentials of the island town in terms of development in the future. He then commended the contractors and other stakeholders for their strong commitment to the successful completion of the bridge.

Speaking on politics, especially the race to the 2011 Presidential Election, the president reiterated that he will "not campaign" for the election, urging Gambians to be grateful to him. He specifically urged the people living within North Bank Region and the Central River Region to be grateful to his government, reminding them of the hardships they endured before his intervention in improving their status through numerous infrastructural developments.

The Gambian leader again reiterated that the upcoming 2011 election will be one to vote for progress, which his party stands for, or retrogress, which others stand for.While expressing optimism that his party will register a landslide victory that has never occurred in previous elections in the country, he again urged people to vote for progress or retrogress.

Speaking earlier, the secretary general and head of the Civil Service, Dr Njogu Bah, commended President Jammeh for accomplishing a project thought to be impossible, and described the bridge as a first-class one that is second to none in Africa. The Civil Service boss told the meeting that government spent US$5.5 million dalasis on the Sankulay Kunda Bridge, describing it as a manifestation of the president's desire to improve the lot of Gambians.

While assuring the president that Gambians will campaign for him in the 2011 election, Dr Bah called on the citizens to cherish President Jammeh and ensure that they do not vote for anyone else in future elections. To this end, he enjoined Gambians to continue rallying round the winning party with a view to avoid embarrassment.

He concluded by thanking the contractors and the National Roads Authority, under the Ministry of Works, Construction and Infrastructure, for their commitment to the completion of the project.Loum Diane of CSE/AAA recalled the challenges they encountered during the construction of the bridge. He disclosed to the meeting that the actual cost of the bridge was projected at US$9M, but explained that due to the contractors' appreciation of the good work the Gambian leader is doing, reduced it to a little over US$5M.

He lauded the dynamic leadership of the president, describing him as someone who loves his people and humanity in general.The APRC national mobiliser and mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, Yankuba Colley spoke about the numerous infrastructural developments brought in by the Jammeh administration, and commended the president for his visionary leadership. He spoke about the admirable peace and stability prevailing in the country, something he said has contributed significantly to its development.

Colley urged the people to continue rallying behind the Gambian leader, stressing he has done a lot for Gambians. He further stressed that politics is about development.He also told the meeting that he is thankful to the United Democratic Party (UDP) propaganda secretary, Shyngle Nyassi, for acknowledging the achievements of the Jammeh administration. He then urged opposition supporters to join the APRC so as to continue to realize more developments.

The governor of the Central River Region, Alhaji Ganyie Touray expressed the region's gratitude and appreciation to President Jammeh for building the much desired bridge in the region, a development he said will go a long way in improving the lives of the people.

He stressed that the president deserves commendation for his numerous developments in the country, more so constructing a bridge over a river like Sankulay Kunda.The construction of the Sankulay Kunda Bridge, according to Bakary Jam Jawo, chief of Janjangbureh, is a dream come true given the fact that it is something that they had yearned for, for so long.

He expressed hope that the lives of the people in the region will be greatly improved. He then urged the people in the region not to hesitate to vote massively for the president in the upcoming election.Sally Baldeh, a lady councillor, Modou Lamin Baldeh, chief of Lower Fulladu District and Foday Jibani Manka, National Assembly member for Janjangbureh all spoke about the importance of the bridge and thanked President Jammeh for salvaging them.

Benefits
This magnificent project is expected to go a long way in improving the lives of the people of the area, who are mainly poor farmers.
Agricultural productivity is expected to be boosted with the presence of the new bridge given the fact that farmers will no longer be faced with  problems associated with having to cross to the other side of the river by ferry or boat to get to their farms.Economic activities are also expected to flourish, as constraints in communication and access to markets will become a thing of the past.