The Member of Parliament for Latri Kunda Sabiji
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Member of Parliament for Latri Kunda Sabiji and chairperson of the monitoring committee, Hon. Yaya Sanyang showed his dissatisfaction with the status of the Banjul rehabilitation project.
He voiced his dissatisfaction on Tuesday, while reading the matter of the day in accordance with standing order 51 in the parliament.
Hon. Sanyang said the project is a major infrastructural project carried out by the government and locally funded by the taxpayers worth millions of dollars.
“This project was meant to improve the entire roads and the drainage systems in Banjul upon completion. The current situation of the project is not the least expected. The Gambian taxpayers are concerned about the project and many people, especially the Banjulians have registered several complaints and dissatisfaction about the project and want clarity on the entire project,” he added.
The member for Latri Kunda Sabiji recalled that the project was approved by the 5th Legislature and therefore, the National Assembly through its committee on the monitoring of government projects would continue to perform oversight functions in the monitoring and implementation of government projects.
“The committee will consider opening a public hearing with regards to the project, and in particular make requests for these documents- which are the project designs, the original and the addendum, the project Bill of Quantity (BoQ)…the Cabinet approval, the GPPA approval, and the contract award letter with all its terms and conditions,” he said.
Sanyang commended the government for the initiative of local funding, and said the Committee’s oversight function is only meant to complement the efforts of the government in nation building in an effective and efficient manner.
“We will endeavour to give support to the government in all future development projects to ensure efficient, effective, and judicious execution of government projects,” he assured members.
After Honourable Sanyang’s intervention, the speaker, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta opened the flood for the members to discuss the matter.
During their discussion, most of the MPs urged Hon. Sanyang to work with his committee to gather more facts on the project.
Meanwhile, the President launched the major construction project in February 2019 to rehabilitate the sewages, drainage and roads of Gambia’s flood-prone capital, Banjul.
The project covered the drainage and sewage systems as well as a 37km-road network, but also to beautify the city with green-ups.
The over D1.8 billion (US$35.5 million) project was contracted to Gai Construction Company for the construction of the roads, drainage and sewage systems of the capital city and was pre-financed by the company.
However, the work by Gai Construction Company could not save the city from the recent floods, after continual heavy downpours across the region.