Cabinet approves transformation of GTTI into University of Science, Engineering, Technology

State House, Banjul: July 05, 2019 – In its sixth Session presided over by His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, Cabinet has approved the proposal by Ministry of Higher Education to transform the country’s tertiary technical institute into a university of Engineering, Science and Technology.

“The transformation of the GTTI into a University is expected to create opportunities to address the high level skills gaps within the Gambian workforce,” the Minster of Information, Ebrima Sillah said in a statement to the media at the end of the Cabinet deliberations on Thursday.

The transformation will also accord the emergent university to retain its current responsibilities to augment and improve the quality and relevance of these programmes. It will also strengthen technical certificate and diploma levels while responding to critical needs to offer degree programmes in Science, Engineering and technology, Minister Sillah explained.

The Cabinet also discussed and approved other key issues, among them the Master Plan and Proposed Development Project of Banjul Sea Port, the management of bird and wildlife hazard of the Banjul Airport, to develop a waste management control programme for the airport, The Gambia’s leading legal action against Myanmar at the international Court of Justice to ensure accountability and justice for the gross violations of the rights of Rohingyan Muslims, among others.

Below is the full text of the statement:

The conclusions of the 6th Cabinet Meeting held on Thursday 4th July 2019

Cabinet deliberated on a paper presented by the Hon Minister of Transport, Works ad Infrastructure on the National Launching of the GPA Masterplan and the 4th Banjul Port Development project. 

The new Masterplan aims to address the capacity improvement needs in order to enhance Port competitiveness and contribute towards the achievements of the National Development Plan and the National Transport Policy (2018 – 2027).

The Masterplan and the proposed Port Development Project are expected to take the Port of Banjul and indeed the country to another level as the traffic forecast will increase remarkably which will have positive impact on the overall economic development of the country.

Hon Minister of Transport, Works ad Infrastructure also presented an information paper on the way forward on the challenges of bird/wildlife hazard management at Banjul International Airport.

The Hon Minister of Works recommended the following measures to mitigate the risks posed by birds and wildlife to aircrafts at the Banjul International Airport.

To review land allocation around the airport and where necessary, control land use;To finalize the airport lease with emphasis on increasing the buffer area;To develop a waste management and control programme to eliminate existing waste dumps and prevent the establishment of new waste disposal dumps within 13km radius of the airport boundary.To setup a national aviation wildlife hazard management committee which includes representation of officials from government departments, environmental, conservation and bird and wildlife organizations and agencies and aviation stakeholders.

Cabinet endorsed the recommendations by the Hon Minister of Works to reinforce efforts to manage the hazards posed by birds and wildlife to aircrafts at the Banjul International Airport and reducing the risks to aircrafts and air travel passengers.

The Hon Attorney General and Minister of Justice presented a paper on the OIC proposal for The Gambia to lead the international legal action against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. It would be recalled that at its 45th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Bangladesh, the OIC setup an ad hoc Ministerial Committee on Accountability for Human Rights Violations against the Rohingyas. The Gambia was unanimously selected to chair the said ad hoc committee.

Some of the responsibilities of the ad hoc Ministerial Committee on Accountability for Human Rights Violations against the Rohingyas is to ensure accountability and justice for gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law against the Rohingyas. The committee is also to assist in information gathering and evidence collection as well as mobilize and coordinate international political support for accountability for human rights violations against the Rohingyas Muslims.

Cabinet has approved the proposal of the OIC for The Gambia to lead the international legal action against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Cabinet also approved the appointment of the Hon Attorney General and Minister of Justice to represent The Gambia throughout the proceedings at the ICJ.

The Hon Minister of Interior also presented a paper on The Gambia National Migration Policy 2019.  The Policy among other things, aims to manage migration in a manner that contributes to national development including the promotion of diaspora engagement and reduction of brain drain and its potential impacts. The policy also seeks to ensure the protection of vulnerable Gambian migrants and immigrants in The Gambia and work towards the eradication of human trafficking and smuggling while at the same time encourage the participation of Gambians abroad in economic activities at home, through foreign direct investments and social remittances. Cabinet endorsed the National Migration Policy and some insightful suggestions.

Cabinet also endorsed a Paper presented by the Hon Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology to transform The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) into a University of Science, Engineering and Technology. The transformation of GTTI into a university will accord the emergent university to retain its current responsibilities to augment and improve the quality and relevance of these programs. The transformation will also strengthen Technical Skills at certificate and diploma levels while responding to critical needs to offer, in The Gambia, degree programs in Sciences, Engineering and Technology. 

The transformation of the GTTI into a University of Science, Engineering and Technology is expected to create opportunities to address the high level skills gaps within The Gambian workforce.

Press Release issued by State House