By Ramatoulie Jawo.
Drivers and commuters around Old Yundum, Costal Road, and Bursubi Turntable have on Monday, January 9, 2023, called on the authorities to fast-track the ongoing Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) road construction projects that place a chokehold on traffic in the urban corridor.
Speaking to Kerr Fatou, Ebrima Janneh, a driver at the Airport Junction stated that, the government should have constructed feeder roads for drivers to use before embarking on the construction of the highway.
“They should have constructed the feeder roads properly before touching the highway. Even if they can’t construct it properly, but at least from time to time they should bring caterpillar to level the way for their use,” he told Kerr Fatou.
Mr. Janneh said the construction has been going on for quite a long time and that it needs to be fast track considering the dust and the difficulties both the drivers and commuters are facing.
Mr. Janneh said most of the drivers have stopped using the road which connected the airport to the Brusubi turntable highway because of the poor network.
Modou Njie, another Coastal Road driver appealed to the contractors to fast-track the construction so that they can go back to their normal business.
He said the construction is affecting them a lot as drivers.
“I am calling on them to fast-track the construction. So that we can go back to our normal routines. If they know that the construction will take time let them please open the sides that are ready and let us use that, because we are suffering a lot,” he appealed.
Mr. Njie said sometimes they sit for hours before getting any customers because they (drivers) now overcharge commuters due to the terrible condition of the roads.
Seedy Nget, also a driver from Coastal Road said they always find it very difficult to get to the Brusubi Turntable.
Mr. Nget told Kerr Fatou that the bad nature of the roads is forcing drivers to use shortcuts to Brusubi Turntable which he said usually affects the commuters and as well as damages their cars
“Anytime we use the highway they always stop us and using the feeder roads is damaging all our cars. They should at least allow us to use the highway up to the traffic lights and then use the feeder roads” he told Kerr Fatou.
Mr. Nget revealed that most drivers have stopped using the Coastal Road- Brusubi turntable highway due to bad traffic caused by the ongoing construction.
He further joined his colleagues to urge the government to fast-track the construction.