By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Thursday 15th September 2022 delivered the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) at the National Assembly in Banjul. He spoke about his government’s policies, programmes, achievements and challenges as reflected in the activities of all the ministries, departments and agencies for the past years.
The Gambia Daily reporter spoke to some of the National assembly Members (NAMs) about their reaction to President Adama Barrow’s SoNA.
Honourable Saikou Bah, NAM for Basse Constituency in Upper River Region (URR) disclosed that the President has well explained his governance policies and programmes that are achievable. He also highlighted some of the reform policies and some bills that will be presented to the National Assembly for scrutiny and ratification in the interest of the Gambian people.
He admitted that the plan for the separation of electricity and water by splitting National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) into two stand alone entities is long overdue.
Honourable Suwaebu Touray, NAM for Wuli East, URR explained that he did not read the President’s speech yet because when the President was speaking the members of the national assembly were not provided with the speech “so that you can know exactly about the issues. Though I have taken down some notes but that is not quite enough to say that this is what the President said.”
Honourable Touray further said that the President talked about the production of rice and general agricultural development as his achievements. He called for more processing and marketing of our agricultural produce.
On the separation of NAWEC, Honourable Touray “believe when the two are separated each side will be able to do their work effectively also each side will have their experts.”
For his part, Honourable Almameh Gibba, NAM for Foni Kansala in West Coast Region (WCR) “commend the President for the youth empowerment for the GIZ project that is providing training for the youth and they should not be training them but it has to be in line with Gambia’s context to be able to use the skill and fill the working condition of the country.” He added that “we want policies and programmes that will make impact on the lives and livelihood of the people. We will debate all the issues mention in his speech.”
