A construction project that seeks to expand the road from Sting Corner to Airport junction will affect businesses and settlements 40 meters off the road, the secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Gambia has said.
A multi-sectoral road reserve committee working with the secretariat has faced the media on Tuesday to sensitise the public on the impending project.
The acting CEO of the OIC secretariat, Banding Sillah, said they have been engaged in pre-feasibility work to facilitate the execution of the project and some impediments have been encountered along the way.
“These included encroachments along the highway which are in contravention of the 40-meter buffer off the highway and other issues affecting the timely execution of the project,” he said.
Mr Sillah said a notice has been issued to all active construction sites along the road corridor between the Sting Corner and Airport junction to stop work.
“To this effect, the public is hereby notified that a notice will be issued by the Department of Physical Planning and Housing to all occupants within the 40m reserve along the 22 kilometer stretch of the road. All those served with notices should contact the Department of Physical Planning and bring along any relevant document within 14 days. The cooperation of the public is highly solicited for the smooth execution of the project, “He concluded.
“The Road Reserve Committee has noticed the presence of commercial billboards and outdoor advertisements along the road. The owners will be duly notified for the decommissioning and relocation of billboards. Used car dealers displaying their cars within the 40-meter buffer off the highway will also be impacted by the work…”
Meanwhile, the authorities said businesses or people who have been legally occupying the 40 meter buffer will be liable to compensation.
However, people illegally occupying the 40 meter buffer illegally may not be compensated.