His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Saturday, July 23rd laid the foundation stone for the construction of the much eagerly-awaited hundred million US Dollar (US$100M) five-star Radisson Blu Hotel. This is one of the many critical OIC Banjul Summit edifices and infrastructural projects.
Described as the single biggest investment portfolio ever of its kind on Gambian soil, the five-star hotel is expected to match the Radisson Blu brand in the sub-region, and will house four hundred high-end garden and sea-view guest rooms, as well as VIP suites. It will have royal villas, presidential apartments, meeting rooms, and other event venues.
Speaking at the site on the occasion of the foundation laying, the President of the Republic used the opportunity to assure that The Gambia will host the Summit, emphasising that the country has the will, the ability, and the resources to do so.
He revealed that within three years, his government has successfully mobilised more than three hundred million US Dollars (US$300M) in its effort to host the world’s biggest organisation of the Muslim Ummah.
“Small as the country may be, The Gambia has always captured the attention and imagination of the world, primarily, for all the right reasons. History is, therefore, on our side. The General Secretariat in Jeddah and the entire membership of the OIC have expressed, in no uncertain terms, their fullest support to us in this endeavour,” he remarked.
The President however pointed out that authorities are engaging the General Secretariat and other partners to agree on a suitable date for the event.
“While the support of our allies and development partners continue to encourage us as we prepare for this important global gathering, we will neither be complacent nor allow anyone to distract us,” he declared.
The OIC Summit projects, he noted, are designed to be legacy projects, and their advantages, benefits and impact will far outlive the Summit. “For this reason, we will make sure that we get it right in the best interest of the nation and the global Muslim community. We will not accept indifference or foot-dragging anymore”.
He expressed optimism that once completed; the project will have a lasting impact on lives and livelihoods; and that it will contribute to diversifying the tourism portfolio further, while addressing the demand for internationally branded luxury hotels across Africa.
“The joint operation of Radisson Blu Banjul, the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, and the ultra-modern VVIP lounge, nearing completion at the Banjul International Airport, is expected to uniquely position The Gambia as a leading destination for international meetings, incentive travel, conferences, and exhibitions”.
The Radisson Blu Banjul Hotel is a project under IMMOGAM, a company jointly owned by the people of The Gambia, through The Gambia Government, and the investing company, Immoland Sarl.