By Arfang M.S. Camara, Communication Officer, NRA
President Adama Barrow has intimated that he is impressed with the level of progress made at the ongoing OIC Road Projects, the 22km Bertil Harding Highway Road and the 50km Urban Road projects.
The Gambian leader was speaking to journalists after inspecting the ongoing road project sites in the urban areas,as part of the 2023 Meet-the-People-Tour across the country.
“It has been a very difficult period for us as far as these projects are concerned, but today, definitely, I am impressed with the progress of the ongoing projects,” President Barrow told journalists on Tuesday, after inspection of the ongoing projects.
He noted that the 50km, i.e., Lot 1 and Lot 2 are all progressing very well, citing that some of the roads are targeted to be finished by the end of December this year 2023. Overall, he revealed that they were targeting to finish the entire project by the end of April, 2024.
According to him, the ongoing works of the 22km BertilHarding Highway are also progressing very well, as they are left with one overpass bridge at the traffic light in Fajara.
“The consultant and contractors have both confirmed to us that by the end of December 2023, the progress of the work will reach ‘Sting Corner’. Overall, we are very impressed, gauging it from the reactions of people who are also very happy with the state of the projects,” he reiterated.
The Gambian leader buttressed that they would still continue to push the contractors because the projects are very important to the government as the country would be hosting the OIC Summit by the end of May 2024.
“We will do everything within our knowledge to work towards hosting a successful OIC Summit next year, 2024. The OIC Summit is just one or two days, but these projects will remain in the country forever,” he remarked.
After the OIC Summit, he went on, there would be landmark projects to be achieved by the country through the OIC, adding that they were able to raise funds for these road projects towards organizing the OIC Summit in the country.
“These roads are very important to me because they are landmark projects for the country. This is the first time we are having such roads in this country. Although they are very expensive, they are durable roads. We are guaranteeing the roads for the next 50 years,” he added.
Barrow thanked the Ministry of Works, NRA, the contractors and consultants, and his entire government for their support.