PRESIDENT BARROW REASSURES GAMBIANS OF COMMITMENT TO RENOVATING INDEPENDENCE STADIUM
His Excellency Adama Barrow, the President of the Republic of The Gambia, has reassured Gambians that his government is committed to renovating the iconic Independence Stadium to international standards. The President made the remarks after visiting the stadium in Bakau to assess the ongoing renovation works, which are designed to upgrade infrastructure and services to the required FIFA standards. The President also laid the foundation stone of a fish smoking market and toured the KG 5 mini stadium in Banjul The President first arrived at the proposed fish smoking site in Banjul, where he laid the foundation stone for the construction of a modern environmentally friendly fish smoking market. Until its demolition, the makeshift market was occupied by more than 60 women fish vendors who made a living by smoking fish for sale. During his tour last year, the President was approached by the women vendors who pleaded with him to construct a modern fish smoking facility for them. True to his promise, the President set up a committee headed by the Vice President to mobilise funds to construct the market.The contract for the construction of the market is supervised by Gamworks, the government agency for the management of public works. According to the Project Director, Elizabeth Carayol Ndong, the work entails the construction of modern and environmentally friendly smoke houses to cater for the needs of the women and vendors.The women vendors and fishermen expressed profound gratitude to the president for fulfilling his promise, adding that the new market will empower vendors and modernise fish handling and processing in Banjul.The regional coordinator for Banjul Ebrima Jawo described the development as another milestone for the city, which has seen unprecedented developments under President Barrow's leadership. He thanked the President and urged the women vendors to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to the development of the city.The foundation-laying ceremony attracted wild celebrations from the women vendors, who cheered the President and thanked him for empowering them. Women play an important role in the Fisheries sector, mostly specialising in fish processing and handling. This modern market, specifically designed for smoking catfish, is expected to maximise and solidify Banjul's place as the foremost producer of one of the most prized catfish in The Gambia. The project is expected to finish within 6 months.The President later drove to the KG5 mini stadium, just a few hundred metres from the market, which is equally undergoing construction works to modernise the pitch to CAF standards. The President was received by notable Banjulians and representatives of the youth. Speaking to GRTS, the Project Manager from Gamworks, Sheriff Ndow, disclosed that works are now at the final stages after all the preparatory works have been completed.The youths of Banjul commended the President and his government for restoring the mini stadium to international standards. As the only football field in Banjul, this development, the youths argued, will enable the city to resume its nawettan tournament in earnest.President Barrow also thanked the youths for their patience and reassured them that the government will do everything possible to promote sports participation by providing the necessary infrastructure for young people. The President completed his tour of project sites with a visit to the Independence Stadium, where works are progressing to build the roads around the stadium as required by the continental football body CAF.President Barrow was briefed by contractors and site supervisors on the progress of the works, with assurances that they will be completed by the end of this month. This development will lay to rest speculation about the state of affairs at the country's only stadium, which has been undergoing massive renovation and modernisation works. The President called for patience and reassured that the government is committed to ensuring that all works meet international standards as required by Caf and FIFA.He thanked all stakeholders for the hard work and tasked them to ensure the timely completion of the works to enable the country to host football matches at home.
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