By Lamin Njie
Come August this year, construction works on the famous Bertil Harding Highway are expected to be completed as the Gambia prepares to host one of the world’s biggest gathering, which is the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in May 2024.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, formerly the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, is an inter-governmental organisation founded in 1969, consisting of 57 member states, with 48 being Muslim-majority countries.
The organisation aims to protect the interests of its members around the world in economic, social, cultural, and scientific activities.
In order to make the summit a memorable one, preparations are in high gear in terms of infrastructure development with the construction of a first-class road with three lines on each side from the Airport junction to the busy Senegambia area to the Stink-Corner, connecting to the Banjul Highway.
The Bertil Harding Highway has three overpasses. The first one is situated at the coastal road market junction, while the second oneis built at the Turn-Table and the third one is at Kairaba Avenue.
It will also have the features of modern-day highways such as culverts for waterways, gutter markings, street lights, and signs forspeed limits among others.
Apart from the Bertil Harding Highway, about 50km of 20 new roads are currently under construction within the Kanifing Municipality and the West Coast Region.
Most of these roads are now completed and will soon open to traffic. The issue of water and electricity supplies is also part of the project package, meant to ensure a constant and adequate supply of water and electricity for the summit, and also for the thousands of residents livingwithin and outside the summit venue. New water pipes were laid and new electricity poles and wires were also fixed as well.
In an interview, Manager of the OIC Project, Mr Alagie Darboe expressed satisfaction over the progress of the work. According to him, very soon the third overpass which is situated along Kairaba Avenue Traffic Light will be concrete as well and work is progressing steadily.
He assured Gambians that his team and other relevant stakeholders are working hard to ensure that the project is completed within the timeframe.
He further added that the work is of quality and that all the necessary measures would be in place to ensure that quality is never compromised at all times.
During a visit to the project site last year, President Adama Barrow made this remark: “We will do everything within our knowledge to work towards hosting a successful OIC Summit. The OIC Summit is just one or two days, but these projects will remain in the country forever”.
He used the visit to thank the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, the National Roads Authority, contractors and consultants and his entire government for their support.
The new VVIP-Lounge constructed for the summit at the Banjul International Airport is also completed and ready for the summit. The magnificent edifice is one of the most beautiful infrastructural achievements of the Barrow administration since coming to power some seven years ago.