By Yunus S Saliu
The Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure (MOTWI), Ebrima Sillah, has expressed displeasure over the pace of the ongoing Bundung Highway construction project.
Bundung Highway, which has been in a state of decay for many years, has been causing nightmares to the commuter community in that part of the Kanifing Municipality. The highway links downtown Serekunda and Latrikunda Sabiji and even beyond.
Following public outcry over the deplorable state of the highway, the Gambia government contracted a construction company to build it but on Sunday, when the transport minister went to Bundung with a delegation to see the progress of the construction works, he was disappointed.
“We will not accept any further delays to the project. The contractor has agreed to expedite and also fix those defects identified while we have agreed to increase the manpower for the sub-contractors some of them already demobilized when the work was yet to be finished, which means there were a lot of miscommunications between the contractor, consultant, and the sub-contractors. This act is unacceptable under contract management,” Minister Sillah stressed after a two-kilometerwalk.
“Under no circumstances or uncertain terms, we would not allow this work to go beyond March 2024. Bundung is a heavily-populated community and closing the road from one section to the other has placed immense challenges and inconvenience on the people,” he added.
The minister said the excuses that the contractor might give for the delay would be unacceptable.
“And all other excuses that the contractor might have said to us are not acceptable. They have to expedite the work. And if there is any responsibility contingent on us as a government, we will make sure that those things are done. But right now, a large section of the road is clear for them to continue with the work. The relocation of water services is almost 70, 80% done. We will continue to work with the contractor for this Lot to make sure that this particular stretch of road is expedited,” stated the transport minister.
The lawmaker for Bundungka Kunda Sulayman Jammeh, whocame to meet the Minister and his delegation, thanked them for coming again to inspect the progress of work done so far.
NAM Jammeh said his people just want to see the constructiondone in a very efficient manner and he appealed to the contractor to fast-track the work.
The lawmaker said when the road construction is complete, the people of Bundung will be happy and they will celebrate it.
SSTP is the contractor handling the Bundung Highway Road construction project and its manager Momodou Sowe elucidatedthat the delay was neither caused by finance nor the government but by some obstacles on the road, which included water pipes, telephone, and electricity cables.
He said his company is putting everything together to overcome the challenges and assured the authorities that the BundungHighway, among other road construction contracts handled by SSTP, will be completed by March 2024.
Meanwhile, on day three of the Minister’s visit to the road construction project sites, the Minister and delegation visited Bertil Harding Highway, 50 Kms urban roads – P6, P9, P13, P15
And they later proceeded to the Banjul Road Project sites.
