VP Touray Lays Foundation Stones Of 2 OIC-Gambia Projects

By Landing Ceesay 
The Vice President  Dr Isatou Touray laid the foundation stone for the Widening of the Bertil Harding Highway and the Airport VVIP/ Presidential Lounge projects by OIC Gambia. 
The projects are part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Gambia Secretariat’s preparation for the successful hosting of the OIC Summit in 2022. 
While addressing the gathering at the event,  Gambia’s Vice President said infrastructural development is one of the catalysts for economic growth for developing countries. 
She added that her government prioritised infrastructural development both financially and human resources. 
“Infrastructural development is one of the catalysts for economic growth for developing countries. As such, my government has prioritised this sector by investing heavily in both capital and human resources to upgrade, construct and maintain public infrastructures such as roads, bridges and public buildings. Therefore, in support of our ambitions of improving the transport sector especially for roads and aviation, my government together with our development partners embarked on projects that will not connect the communities to the health facilities, schools and markets but also open up the Gambia internationally. This is made possible by the various roads projects in the urban area such as the 50 KM urban roads and the widening of the Bertil Harding Highway, the rehabilitation of the Banjul International Airport and the Presidential Lounge,” VP Touray said. 
Meanwhile, Yankuba Dibba, Chief Executive Officer of the OIC Gambia Secretariat said since its creation in mid-2018, the OIC Gambia Secretariat achieved a lot despite several challenges. 
“Without a doubt, the OIC infrastructure portfolio being the single biggest development enterprise in the history of this country, could not have been possible without the support of our brothers from the Ummah present here today. In line with the teachings and values of Islam, these institutions have proven to be great and reliable supporters of the Gambia,” Mr Dibba said. 
The multiple million dollars projects (widening of the Bertil Harding Highway and VVIP/ Presidential Lounge) are sponsored by the Gambia Government and partners.
The event took place on Wednesday at the airport junction in Yundum.