It is very common for members of the ruling party from the President down to ask what the former colonial masters have done compared to what the APRC had done since it took office. They give the impression that development in the Gambia is on a self reliant basis. Foroyaa wishes the Gambian people to know that Development has to be viewed from its proper context if we are to make a genuine comparative analysis of its different phases.
Colonialism did lead to the promotion of the importation of manufactured goods and exportation of groundnuts from the Gambia. Infrastructural development was neglected and the social sectors did not expand to meet the needs of the population. The relation between Europe and the Gambia was that of domination.
However, the Gambia just commemorated its 45th birthday. However, the country still imports most of the manufactured goods we consume and export mainly groundnuts. The revenue base of the country is therefore very limited. Hence the country depends on loans and grants to carry out development projects. Hence whenever the APRC claims for people to see what it had done in 15 years one should be able to tell the people that the Mandinaba-Seleti road, the Barra-Amdalaye road and the 47 Km of the Soma-Basse road are built from a grant of 2900 Million Dalasis provided by the European Union. Foroyaa will monitor how the 73 Million Euros will be expended so that developments which come from the growth of the productive base of the economy will be weighed from the developments which come from foreign assistance.
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Posted - 12 May 2010 : 20:28:01
