By our special Banjul correspondent

At a time when hundreds of Gambians are complaining bitterly about small size of the roads considering the increasing number of vehicles plying the busy Banjul –Serrekunda roads, officials of the works and infrastructure ministry are busy supervising on-going maintenance works being carried out on various roads within the Western Region.

Residents of Tallinding Kunjang in the Kanifing Municipality and Sukuta who are living along the main highway have since been informed about plans to extend the highway, which is usually congested especially during the morning and afternoon rush hours. However, Gainako went out and about to a number of residents who are likely going to be affected by the latest road expansion project which by all indications is sitting on well with a number of drivers and commuters alike.

 Buba Samura, a business man operating along the busy Tallinding said in as much as the road expansion project is going to affect his business center, the fact of the matter is that the development of the country supersedes personal or family business ventures. Considering the increasing number of accidents on the Banjul, Tabokotto, Brikama Highway, Samura said the government’s intervention is timely, adding ‘just imagine almost on a daily basis accidents are recorded and most of these incidences are partly as a result of the narrow roads’.

Even though he did not tell Gainako precisely the amount of money he collects daily, Buba said at least he does't lack fish money and some basic necessities to take care of his family, however he is still worried about what will happen to him when he vacates the place. "Actually, If I think about that, I feel like changing my mind because every business man wants to have a shop on a busy highway like the one along Tallinding and Tabokotto". But again, no one can challenge the status quo and get away with it, that’s why I have to move and allow development to prevail’ Said Buba Samura.

Another landlord who was approached by Gainako told us categorically clear that he would only speak to us on conditions of anonymity. He has some scathing criticisms for CSE the Senegalese road construction company. "Yes, I welcome the road expansion project, I think The Gambia like other countries in the sub region should move faster in its development projects but such projects should be executed with ingenuity and seriousness of purpose". The Landlord urged the Jammeh administration not to give CSE another chance to destroy the road network, the Landlord recalled the sufferings hand his family went through during the rainy season when the house they occupied was invaded by flash floods thereby rendering them homeless for a good part of the rainy season.

As for Isatou Touray a housewife in Sukuta, she said "the people should stop throwing missiles at the Jammeh administration, arguing each time a project comes up some people will come up with their ideas – just to frustrate the system. ‘ I know how we feel each time we go to the market, I know Sukutarians will complain, deep down in their minds the road expansion stands to bring them good tidings.

Isatou who sometimes tries her hand in retail business said already a number of people have expressed interest in opening outlets around the areas where the road is being expanded, and for me this means a lot. ‘ We have seen how certain towns in the Greater Banjul Area have been transformed into major business centres, so who are we to say no to this new development plan?

The road expansion which started in November 2009 is expected to give a better face to the road network in areas such as Sinchu Alagie, Banjul, Brikama, Serrekunda, Sukuta and most importantly the Soma – Basse stretch.