By Lamin Njie
President Adama Barrow has said that the gains made by his government in the past two years provide enough evidence and assurances of better days to come.
In a New Year message to Gambians on Monday, President Barrow offering a blunt review of the achievements and challenges the country experienced in 2018 said every Gambian should be encouraged to stand by his government for greater development.
“Our successes in 2017 and 2018 provide sufficient evidence and assurances of better days to come. At the current rate of development, every Gambian should be encouraged to stand by my government, be sincere to the nation and do the utmost to repel all agents of disunity, evil and backwardness,” Barrow said.
“With much relief, 2018 will be remembered in the years ahead as the year we broke down barriers and unlocked the doors to success, progress and development. It has been a year of success, inspiration, renewed optimism and hope. The result is that we have been inspired to believe in ourselves and build confidence to run the affairs of this nation. We are convinced that, acting together, we can achieve whatever tasks and targets we set ourselves.”
On the achievements, the President said the economy has been revived thanks to friends and international organisations.
“With consolation, the economy that made us nervous, has now been revived – thanks, most especially, to the European Union for spearheading the Brussels meeting in May of this year. Of course, we will ever remain grateful to all other international organisations and friends who have stood by us,” Barrow said.
“It is obvious that realistic plans with clear goals, targets, indicators and strategies are essential for national development. In this light, the launch of the 2018 – 2021 National Development Plan was another key achievement of the year. To cite a few more examples, other achievements registered during the year include the Legislative and Local Government Elections; the setting up of three important commissions; namely: the Constitution Review Commission, the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission and the Commission on the activities of the former President.”
The Gambia in 2018 registered some negative strides, a fact that was highlighted in President Barrow’s speech.
The President said: “Life cannot be rosy all the time. Quite naturally, therefore, 2018 had its dark side. The Faraba Bantang and Busumbala incidents, as well as the standoff at the Social Security, Housing and Finance Corporation, are regrettable examples.
“In spite of the complexity of the challenges that emerged during the year, the right approach was adopted and appropriate action taken in each case. I hope that the lessons learnt in the process will prevent the occurrence of such events.”
