Ebrima Sillah, The Minister Of Transport Works, And Infrastructure
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, has clarified that Denton Bridge is not currently due for rehabilitation. He made this statement on Wednesday while addressing questions raised by Hon. Modou Lamin Bah, the National Assembly member for Banjul North.
Hon. Bah had asked whether the Denton Bridge in Banjul required rehabilitation. Responding to this, Minister Sillah explained that bridge rehabilitation involves restoring and enhancing the structural integrity, functionality, and safety of a bridge to extend its service life.
“Denton bridge as it is, is structurally sound functional and safe its design life is 100 years, and it has not exceeded half of its design life yet meanwhile an inspection was carried out on the bridge, and it was found out that the bridge is structurally sound in this regard it is not due for rehabilitation,” he told the members.
In response to inquiries about the availability of more ferries, particularly concerns raised by the member for Banjul South about only one operational ferry, Minister Sillah provided updates. He revealed that a 20% advance payment was made in July 2024 for a new green ferry funded by the African Development Bank, with delivery expected in December 2025.
“The GPA has successfully negotiated for a second green ferry with the manufacturer Damen on a supply credit facility which is expected to be delivered in June 2026,” he emphasized. When asked about plans to improve the condition of the Coastal Road, Minister Sillah acknowledged the road’s deteriorating state. He confirmed that the National Roads Authority (NRA) had launched an open tender for the rehabilitation of the Coastal Road from Tabokoto to Sinchu.
“The tender process is completed, and we are in the process of finalizing the contract agreement for the works to commence in earnest,” he said.