By Lamin Njie
The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure (MOTWI), together with its line institutions recently concluded a three-day retreat at Sindola, Foni Kanilai, Kansala district.
The annual retreat, which is the 7th of its kind brought together participants to have dialogue among senior staff of various Departments and Public Enterprises under the Ministry. It also witnessed truthful discussion on successes, failures, challenges and the way forward.
Honourable Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure said the retreat is a perfect opportunity for the different sectors to bring out issues affecting them and see how best it can be resolve amicably.
“This Ministry is very critical because everything we do has an impact on the livelihood of the people. From accidents to infrastructure and other government projects that are to be implemented and are not implemented, the blame will come back to us as a Ministry,” he told the participants.
The Minister used the opportunity to call on the line institutions to work harder in other for them to achieve their targeted goals and objectives.
He reiterated the need for proper utilization of public resources especially on projects meant for the people of the country.
Mr Ebrima Sisawo, Permanent Secretary MOTWI described the retreat as an opportunity to share ideas and information from the different sectors under the Ministry.
“This retreat will strengthen the already existing bonds among the different sector institutions who are gathered here today. It is also about reflecting on the key points that were highlighted in the previous retreats and to assess how far the sectors have implemented those key pledges,” he said.
He urged the participants to identify the challenges and come up with tangible recommendations and suggestions for the way forward.
Honourable Yahya Sanyang, National Assembly Member for LatriKunda Sabiji commended the Ministry together with its line departments for organizing the event. He assured them of his support and collaboration at all times.
“This is about nation building and together we can achieve a lot,” he said.
The retreat brought together participants from The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), National Roads Authority (NRA), Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA), Gambia International Airlines (GIA), Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) and the Gambia Transport Services Corporation (GTSC) and the Ferry Services