The National People’s Party candidate
By Landing Ceesay
President Adama Barrow, the leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) has said that the Gambia will not import rice in the next five (5) years.
“…I want farming to progress in this country. Because 100% of the rice we eat in this country, only 15% of it is cultivated here, 85% is imported into the country. I want that to stop in the country in the next 5 years. The Gambia will not import rice from outside anymore. I will make sure we eliminate that because we have the land and enough water to do that. We have an 80 million dollars project, which is solely meant for the cultivation of rice.
“The project has already started and it is in the whole of Basse. By the grace of Allah, we will not import rice from other countries. It will create jobs where our youth can work. It will stop the youths from going back away because we want Gambians to stay and work in this country. When we start cultivating rice and improving the gardens, it will benefit this country. Because our youth will be able to work there. We want to industrialise our farming system and establish factories, light industries, so that Gambian youth will not go backway again,” President Barrow said.
The Gambian President made these remarks in his NPP’s Nationwide Presidential Campaign tour in Basse (URR) on Sunday.
President Adama Barrow, the standard-bearer of the National People’s Party (NPP) currently on votes canvassing campaign would on December 4 lock horns with his former party and the main opposition- the UDP; PDOIS; GDC; National Unity Party; and Essa Mbye Faal, the Independent Candidate.
Barrow who came through a coalition in 2016 is seeking a second term, while each of the 5 opposition candidates is looking for a maiden term in State House.