Africa-Press – Gambia. The Brikama Area Council has allocated D3 million for the construction of three community markets across the West Coast Region, a move local leaders say will bolster small-scale commerce and expand economic opportunities, particularly for women.
Each of the new markets—located in Jam Welly Village, Brufut New Town, and Tintinto Village—received D1 million, according to council officials. Speaking at the opening ceremony in Tintinto, the council chairman, Yankuba Darboe, said the projects were initiated in response to residents’ own priorities.
“We asked the community residents what their needs were, and they said a market,” Mr. Darboe told attendees. “The council promised to contribute D3 million to make sure these markets are built in Tintinto, Jam Welly, and Brufut New Town.”
Mr. Darboe, who has made infrastructure development a central theme of his administration, said the council has completed 12 markets to date, with several more underway. He framed the latest investments as part of a broader effort to strengthen local commerce and improve daily life in fast-growing settlements.
The chairman also addressed questions surrounding a proposed bridge project in the area. He said the council has not approved construction and must first consult the National Roads Authority.
“We don’t say yes yet,” he said. “We will assign people to assess it and tell us the cost… The NRA needs to give us the go-ahead first before the council can construct the bridge.”
He added that BAC would work with the roads authority to ensure any future bridge project aligns with national regulations governing road construction and maintenance.
At the Tintinto event, Ebrima Jatta, the chief executive of CASA-GAMBIA—one of the community partners—urged residents to safeguard the new facility. “If you see this market is constructed, it is because of the togetherness,” he said.
Residents welcomed the investment, saying the markets would offer vital support to families and expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs who depend on accessible trading spaces. Many expressed gratitude to both CASA-GAMBIA and the Brikama Area Council, calling the initiative an important step toward improving community infrastructure and stimulating local economic growth.
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