Seedy Keita Minister of Finance
By Buba Gagigo
The Concession Agreement between The Gambia and Africa50, aimed at upgrading, financing, operating, and maintaining the Senegambia Bridge, has sparked widespread debate following revelations of an exclusivity clause. Dr. Ousman Gajigo, appearing on Kerr Fatou last Thursday, disclosed key details of the clause, which has since drawn mixed reactions from the public.
According to Dr. Gajigo, the agreement includes a provision that prevents The Gambia from constructing any new bridges along the Gambia River within 150KM radius of the SeneGambia bridge for the next 15 years. This claim was met with a swift response from the Ministry of Information, which dismissed the assertion as “baseless and unfounded.”
“The Government of The Gambia has dismissed as baseless and unfounded, a trending social media report claiming that following the signing of the Concession Agreement with Africa50, an exclusivity clause in the Contract bars the Government from building any new bridge including the Banjul – Barra Bridge for the next 15 years on The Gambia River.” the ministry stated.
The government clarified that the exclusivity clause only restricts the construction of bridges within a 50-kilometer radius of the Senegambia Bridge during the concession period. This limitation, officials argued, does not hinder ongoing plans to build the Banjul–Barra Bridge.
“COMPETING BRIDGES” only restricts the building of any new bridge during the concession period within 50km radius of the Senegambia Bridge. However, this exclusivity clause does not in any way affect the Government’s ongoing efforts to construct a bridge between Banjul and Barra.” the statement reads in part.
However, Dr. Gajigo responded by highlighting a lack of transparency regarding the clause. He pointed out that the clause was not made public until he raised the issue, citing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) document that referenced a broader non-compete agreement.
“During the concession period, nocompeting route will be developed until the traffic volume reaches a sustained profitability level.”There is no mention of a 50-kilometer radius,” Dr. Gajigo argued. He called on the government to release the full concession agreement for public scrutiny.
“As everyone can see from this statement, there is no mention of a 50km radius. If the government wants to settle this issue regarding the 50km radius, they need to immediately release the concession agreement for the public to decide. What is indisputable is that the government made no mention of this clause until I brought up the matter.” Dr. Gajigo said.
In response to growing pressure, the government released the agreement to an online portal. The document confirmed a restriction on bridges within a 50-kilometer radius of the Senegambia Bridge but included an exception for the Banjul–Barra Bridge.
“Competing Bridge” means any new bridge traversing the Gambia River within a fifty (50) kilometre radius of any part of the Bridge erected after the Signature Date (but excluding the Banjul-Barra Bridge).” the clause from the agreement reads
Critics quickly highlighted another contentious provision within the agreement’s “Competing Route” clause. This clause prohibits the development of alternative transportation infrastructure—including new ferry crossings, rail systems, or mass transport schemes—that could impact traffic on the Senegambia Bridge during the concession period.
The agreement defines a “Competing Route” as any transport infrastructure developed by or on behalf of the government that “adversely affects, or is likely to adversely affect, traffic volumes on the bridge and/or the operating revenues of the concessionaire.”
“Competing Route” means any new sea-faring (including ferry), road excluding Competing Bridges, or rail transport infrastructure, including any mass transport scheme, developed by or on behalf of any Government Authority {including by means of a public, private partnership or otherwise) or otherwise permitted, subsidized or authorised by any Government Authority which adversely affects, or is likely to adversely affect, traffic volumes on the Bridge and/or the operating revenues of the Concessionaire, provided that, the performance of routine maintenance of Access Roads, or the upgrading of the surfaces of Access Roads where there is no increase to the capacity of such Access Roads shall not qualify as the development of a “Competing Route” for the purposes of this Agreement.” The agreement states.
These revelations have fueled debate, with critics questioning the long-term implications of tying future infrastructure development to the terms of the concession. Despite the criticism, the government maintains that the agreement with Africa50 represents an innovative and transformative model for infrastructure financing through asset recycling.
Africa50, a pan-African infrastructure investor and asset manager, has officially taken over the operations of the Senegambia Bridge, following the disbursement of an initial $15.5 million as part of a $100 million Asset Recycling Program in partnership with the Government of The Gambia.