Managing Director of the National Roads Authority, Sulayman Sumareh Janneh, said the project is 60 percent complete overall, with physical road infrastructure 85-90 percent complete. Earthworks are done, 22 of 23 culverts built, and drainage works ongoing. Street lighting and NAWEC poles are being installed in populated areas.
“Hopefully, by February or March, the President will be able to come back here and do the final opening,” Janneh said.
For residents, impact is already visible.
Saikou Barrow, 60, from Barrow Kunda in Wuli West, said travel to Basse used to take three hours and required waking at 3am to catch the only vehicle. Missing it meant waiting until the next day.
“But now, if you stand on the highway, you will get a vehicle to Basse, and you can come back the very same day, even before sunset,” he said.
He said the road eased access to healthcare, recalling women in labour struggling to reach Basse Health Centre before a ferry closed at 9 pm.
The road has also spurred development, as building materials can now be transported easily. Over 500 youths from the village abroad are now building homes.
Saikou Barrow dismissed claims that roads are unimportant, noting taxes are same as under Jawara and Jammeh, but delivery differs. He pledged 95 percent of votes for Barrow in the coming election.