Dr Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of Information, has defended President Adama Barrow’s recent assertion that the coastal town of Brufut is like Dubai, insisting that critics are taking the president’s comments out of context.

According to Dr Ceesay, the president was highlighting the rapid infrastructure developments the town has experienced under his leadership.

President Barrow’s remark sparked widespread debate after he compared Brufut’s development to Dubai, drawing laughter online. Many Gambians reacted sarcastically, mocking the statement, while others questioned the comparison.

However, Dr Ceesay and other loyalists have defended the president, urging the public to focus on the message rather than the caricatured interpretation.

“Yes, Brufut is like Dubai because, if you look… when we talk about Dubai, it transforms very quickly, from almost nothing to something big,” Dr Ceesay explained.

He further described Brufut’s transformation: “Go to Brufut today… We forget too easily. Two years ago, if you took the route from Gamtel to Brufut, it was like crossing a different river just to get there. But today, that is gone. The rapid transformation of Brufut, from almost nothing in terms of infrastructure to what it is today, is remarkable.”

Dr Ceesay emphasized that the comparison was intended to highlight the pace and scale of development, not to suggest that Brufut is identical to Dubai.

Modern roads, residential estates, and commercial centers have emerged in recent years, changing the town’s landscape and boosting economic activity.

He urged critics and citizens alike to recognise the achievements made in Brufut as part of the government’s broader infrastructure agenda, noting that rapid urban growth, when planned and executed effectively, can yield significant benefits for local communities.

By Adama Makasuba