President Adama Barrow on Tuesday said that his government has delivered in Foni more than previous administrations did in 52 years combined.
At a joint meeting for Foni Jarrol, Bondali and Kansala held at Bulanjorr as part of his Meet the People Tour on 13 October, residents of Foni called on President Adama Barrow to complete ongoing road, water and health projects.
"Foni is part of The Gambia, and every Gambian is equal in my eyes. Whether someone comes from Mankamang Kunda, Kanilai or Sareh Jaliba, I consider them all equal," he said.
He said development in Foni has even surpassed that in his own home village in Jimara, where he noted 30 villages still lack electricity and roads of similar standard.
"If I were to put family ties first, I would have prioritised Jimara," he said, adding that his responsibility is to all Gambians.
Alkalo of Bulanjorr, Wassa Jammeh said the community had pursued road construction for decades.
"For 30 years, we pursued former President Dawda Jawara because of this road. Then President Yahya Jammeh came to power and ruled for 22 years. We did everything we could," he said. He thanked the government that construction had finally started, but appealed for the road to be properly surfaced with blacktop.
He listed water, a befitting mosque and a hospital as other pressing needs, noting that villagers contributed through community self-help locally called "teysito" to start the hospital, which remains incomplete.
Women's Representative Mansata Sanyang said Foni today is different from the past, citing increased political engagement and ongoing electrification.
"Just by looking at this gathering, you can see the difference between Foni yesterday and Foni today," she said, adding that women continue to campaign house-to-house.
She said water shortage, inadequate classrooms at the Arabic school and lack of farming equipment remain challenges. She appealed for motorcycles to facilitate campaign work for the NPP-APRC alliance.
Seyfo of Foni Bintang Karanai, Lamin Jobarteh, acknowledged that his district did not vote for President Barrow in the last presidential election, as well as in the 2021 parliamentary and Area Council chairmanship elections.
"These results made me feel ashamed whenever I met you among my fellow Seyfos. Today, however, I can stand with my head held high," he said.
Jobarteh said the 53-year road problem isolated Bulanjorr, especially during the rainy season when farms become inaccessible.
"No one has relieved us of this hardship until President Adama Barrow," he said.
VDC Chairman Yahya Badjie said the road project has already eased hardships, recalling that pregnant women previously had to be transported on donkey carts. He appealed for extension of the road to Tubabana through Jakoi, fencing for the women's garden, printers for the school's computer lab, teachers' accommodation and completion of a community borehole.
National Assembly Member for Foni Berefet, Hon. Amie Colley, said electrification has significantly improved. She said out of 30 villages in Foni Berefet, only one remains without electricity, while in Foni Bintang, 43 villages have been covered except six.
Responding, Minister of Lands, Regional Governments and Religious Affairs, Hon. Hamat Bah, said within 10 years, President Barrow has delivered roads, electricity and water that previous governments did not, citing the transformation of Bwiam Hospital.