President Adama Barrow has inaugurated an US$800,000 elevated water storage tank in Brikama Nema and a new 24-classroom building at Salagi Senior Secondary School as his 2026 Meet the People’s Tour continued in the West Coast Region.

The water storage facility, with a capacity of 1,000 cubic metres, is designed to provide clean water to more than 70,000 people across eight communities.

The beneficiary communities include Brikama Nema, Suma Kunda, Mansaring-Su, Newtown, Gidda, Santa-Su, Sanneh Kunda and Nyambai.

The project is expected to strengthen water supply infrastructure and improve access to clean water for residents in the area.

At Salagi Senior Secondary School, President Barrow inaugurated a newly constructed 24-classroom building supported by the MRC Holland Foundation.

The facility is expected to ease pressure on existing classrooms and provide students with a more conducive learning environment, particularly those who previously had to travel long distances to attend school.

The President also visited Lotus Industries Limited, a local company specialising in the production of detergents, soaps and antiseptics.

The factory employs Gambian youths and contributes to domestic manufacturing, with local production expected to support economic activity and reduce reliance on imported goods.

The visit highlighted the role of private-sector businesses in creating employment and supporting the country’s industrial development.

Later, President Barrow inspected progress on the 12-kilometre EPC Lot 7 road project linking Brikama, Kassa Kunda and Nyofelleh.

The road project is expected to improve connectivity and facilitate movement between communities along the route.

The inspections and inaugurations formed part of the President’s nationwide Meet the People’s Tour, which includes visits to development projects and engagements with communities.

The projects cover water supply, education, manufacturing and road infrastructure, addressing several areas of public service delivery in the West Coast Region.

By Adama Makasuba