By Landing Ceesay
President Adama Barrow expressed to journalists that despite being “impressed” with the progress of the OIC road projects, his government still has tasks ahead.
Following a day-long tour of the ongoing road construction projects under the OIC Summit Projects, President Barrow shared his observations.
“It has been a very long and interesting day. I think you all know that we are organizing the OIC Summit and is on next week. In most of these projects, we mobilized the resources through the organizing of the OIC. That is why I said I must come out, as we are approaching the summit, to see how we are progressing.
“But so far I think we have progressed very well. But we still have work to do. But we will continue with the project even after the OIC. But overall, I am really impressed, and I think these are strategic roads. I think when these roads are ready, they will change the entire road network. It will also impact the traffic, and these are social projects. I think they will make a big impact as far as the lives of people are concerned,” President Barrow told the Journalists. Responding to critics who dismissed these roads as mere promises, President Barrow reaffirmed his dedication to fulfilling commitments. He emphasized the strategic significance of the ongoing road constructions.
“That is why when I arrived at Brufut my question was, it has happened, or it has not happened? They said it had happened. It was a promise and we fulfilled the promise. But not only fulfilling the promise, I think that road is strategic. If you look at the Wulingkama road, going down to Ghana Town, that will reduce the traffic on the main highway going to Gunjur.
“I think that road is very important because there has been a lot of traffic and people are complaining. These are first-class roads. And we have a lightning system also as part of the project. So I think is a life-changing project,” Barrow stated. However, President Barrow acknowledged challenges delaying the projects, including service relocation and demolitions. Despite these hurdles, he remains optimistic about reaching significant completion by the end of the year.
“There were a lot of challenges. Relocation of servicing, and also demolitions, so there were a lot of challenges. Now we have given them time and before the end of the year I think they will be finished with the roads. I think we will be around 80% before the end of May or June. So I think we are on the right track,” he said.
The OIC Gambia secretariat has identified twenty new roads to be built under its project ahead of the forthcoming Summit in May 2024.
The 50-kilometer new road networks in the Greater Banjul Area form a key component for the successful hosting of the summit, and it is envisioned to improve the country’s infrastructure to decongest roads and facilitate communication and economic development.
The OIC Gambia Secretariat has identified twenty new roads to be constructed ahead of the forthcoming Summit in May 2024. These roads, spanning 50 km across the Greater Banjul Area, are crucial for the successful hosting of the summit and are expected to improve infrastructure, communication, and economic development.
President Barrow laid the foundation stones for several of these projects in October 2021, emphasizing their importance for the country’s development. However, construction is yet to commence on two of the identified roads and a hotel designated for the summit.
Detailing the ongoing road projects inspected by President Barrow, it includes various key routes contracted to different firms and consultants. These projects aim to enhance connectivity and infrastructure across the country.
President Barrow inspected several road projects during this one-day tour; they included:
1. A 2.56km road from GPPC – New Jeshwang (GACEM Junction) to Jokor Junction, contracted to SSTP, CSE, and Al Fahd JV, with Pace and Gamecs as consultants.
2. The Bundung Highway Road Project, spanning 2.58km, also contracted to SSTP, CSE JV, and Al Fahd, with Pace and Gamecs as consultants.
3. The Sukuta – Latrikunda Sabiji Road Project covering 3.36km, contracted to SSTP, CSE JV, and Al Fahd, with Pace and Gamecs as consultants.
4. The Bijilo (Bertil Harding) – Sukuta Nemasu Latrikunda Road Project, spanning 6.85km, contracted by Pavi Ford, Gambisara Enterprise, and Huta JV, with Pace and Gamecs as consultants.
5. The Kololi Tavern – Bijilo – Brufut road project, stretching 8.60km, contracted to Pavi Ford, Gambisara Enterprise, and Huta JV, with Pace and Gamecs as consultants.
6. The Sukuta – Wullingkama-Brufut Ghana Town Road project, covering 8.35km, contracted by Pavi Ford, Gambisara Enterprise, and Huta JV, with Pace and Gamecs as consultants.
7. Lot 6 Road Project in Salagi – Mariama Kunda and Yuna, totaling 22km and divided into three sections.
8. Lot 6 Road Project from Farato-Bojang Kunda to Lamin, spanning 10km and contracted to Bologel Construction Company.
9. Lot 8 – Gunjur Seaside Road Project, a 4.5km concrete road contracted to Green Vision International with NRA as the consultant.
10. Lot 9 – Sanyang (Hawba) Seaside Road Project, a 4.5km Concrete Road Project contracted to Zen Construction.
11. The OIC Bertil Harding Road Project, a 22km Road Project contracted to Arezki S.A with Saudi Consultancy as the consultant.
These projects are all in progress and not yet 100% completed.
The nation is preparing to host the OIC Summit on May 4, 2024, expecting representatives from 57 countries for the second-largest intergovernmental summit.