DPS Dampha deputising for the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Culture
Signing of the contract document
By Mariatou Ngum
Touray Kunda Construction Company has been awarded a contract by the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) to carry out the rehabilitation and conservation works at the Mungo Park Memorial Obelisk. The park which is located in Sami Karantaba in the Central River Region is one of the country’s much cherished historic sites.
The overall contract which values at D4.039 million Dalasi involves several components which relate to rehabilitation, conservation and value addition to the Mungo Park Memorial Obelisk.
The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Hamat N.K. Bah, who was deputised by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mamadi Dampha, said works at the site are meant to conserve the site and to also add new attractions; such as site museum, so that the visitors’ experience will be greatly enhanced. The rehabilitation, he added, is in line with the policy of the government to enhance the cultural heritage sector to economic development and to project a strong Gambian cultural identity.
He added that the project also falls in line with the provisions of the new Arts and Culture Policy 2018-2027, which seeks to optimise the conservation of heritage sites for inclusive economic development through community friendly tourism.
He further disclosed that the money for this project comes from the Development Budget that the Ministry has received from the National Treasury to improve the heritage sites.
“In the past year, the development budget has enabled NCAC to rehabilitate the Kerr Batch Stone Circle UNESCO World Heritage Site which I will soon formally open at Nianija. Other improvement works like extension of electricity has been completed at Juffure/Albreda sites, Kankurang Center at Macarthy and Fort Bullen in Barra thanks to the Development Budget,” Minister Bah disclosed.
He advised the contractor to deliver on time and in good quality as it has been done by the other contractor at Kerr Batch site.
“I urge the NCAC to regularly monitor the progress of works and give periodic updates to the Board and the Ministry,” he advised.
Mr. Hassoum Ceesay, the Director General of NCAC narrated that the Obelisk was built in 1944 by Governor Sir Hillary Blood, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Mungo Park to the River Gambia region in his ardent pursuit of the source of the river Niger. He added that Mungo Park was a Scottish surgeon who later in life became interested in discovering new territories for the imperial Government of the United Kingdom.
He highlighted that by improving the site, the NCAC will be achieving the following: protect for posterity the legacy of the famous explorer; underscore the contribution of The Gambia to the success of the international exploration, especially the help offered to explorers like Mungo Park by the Gambian chiefs and women like the Signaras; add value to a major monument thereby making it more productive in terms of revenue to the NCAC, as well boost cultural and rural tourism.