By Assan Bah
President Adama Barrow has promised to oversee the construction of 180 kilometres of roads across Kanifing Municipality (KM), alongside improvements to water supply and the redevelopment of a football field in Manjai.
The announcement followed appeals from residents of Serekunda West, Bakau and Jeshwang constituencies during a joint meeting with the President in Manjai on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
Residents raised concerns about water shortages, poor road conditions, inadequate street lighting and a lack of space at the local cemetery, urging the government to address infrastructure needs in their communities.
Responding to the concerns, Barrow said the proposed road projects were in the pipeline and would bring further infrastructure development to the municipality. The roads, he stated, are all in the Government’s KM road projects, which is in the pipeline.
“KM alone has 180 kilometre of roads that we should build in the municipality,” he said.
Barrow said the planned road construction programme would transform the municipality.
Ismaila Camara, the Manjai Kunda Alkalo, appealed to the President to address water shortages affecting several communities, particularly Sanchaba and Central.
He said residents in the affected areas sometimes spent the night trying to obtain water for their daily needs.
“The people of Sanchaba and Central are facing acute water shortages and spent all the night getting the water they drink,” Camara said.
He described the situation as a serious hardship for households that struggled to access running water.
The Alkalo said the communities needed urgent intervention to ensure a reliable water supply.
In response, Barrow said he had discussed the matter with his minister and assured residents that the affected communities were included in an ongoing water project under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“The Alkalo has asked about water supply for some of the areas that are facing water shortages but I have discussed with my minister. We have an OIC water project and all the areas mentioned by the Alkalo are part of this project,” the President said.
He added: “I therefore assuring him that before 6 months-time he will see a lot of difference in water supply in the area.”
Camara also appealed for additional land for the community cemetery, saying the existing burial ground had reached capacity.
“Our cemetery is full and now exhume to burry,” he said.
He further called for streetlights along feeder roads in Kotu and Kololi to improve visibility and security, particularly at night.
“The new road is dark. Kotu is dark. We want street lights there,” he said.
The Alkalo also highlighted the poor condition of several roads in Manjai, saying some had deteriorated to the point where they were difficult to use.
Among the roads he mentioned were the routes from Bantaba to Amsterdam, SOS to Dippa Kunda, Badjie Kunda, Sergeant Tala Barry to Irrinjang Street, and the bridge to Tippa Garage.
He urged the government to include these roads in its planned infrastructure programme.
Beyond road construction and water supply, Barrow promised to redevelop the football field in Manjai to provide a suitable playing facility for young people and the wider community.
The President expressed concern about the condition of the ground, recalling that it had previously hosted major football matches.
“I felt sad when saw the condition of this ground because it used to have a very good turf which even hosted some big football matches but I’ll take a decision to redevelop it to a standard field,” he said.
Barrow pledged to pursue the redevelopment even if funding could not be secured through the government budget.
“Even if not through the government budget I will take other initiatives to develop it because this field can no longer host matches,” he said.
The proposed redevelopment is intended to restore the field’s capacity to host football matches and provide a recreational space for young people.
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