By Lamin Njie
The newly appointed Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure Ebrima Sillah , on Wednesday, 11 2022 visited the ongoing 84.5 km Nuimi road project – Hakalang loop, secondary roads project, and the toll plazas in Jarra –Jenoi and Bereto, along the Senegambia bridge .
Minister Sillah was accompanied by Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs; senior officials of the ministries of Transport and Finance, National Roads Authority, Accountant General's Department, the contractor and the consultant as well as other stakeholders.
Minister Sillah (Right) and Minister Keita (Left)
Minister Sillah noted that the the main reason for the visit is to have first-hand information on the ongoing infrastructure projects in the North Bank Region, as he wishes to be updated on the achievements, challenges and the way forward before the commencement of the rainy reason.
According to the Minister, the tour was also meant to assess the level of preparation for the full operationalisation of the toll plazas in Bereto and Jenoi. It was concluded that both stations will be open to traffic by June 2022.
He therefore, used the visit as an opportunity to buttress the need for the contractor and consultant to work very hard to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
“We need to work hand in hand and make sure the works are done accordingly. Government will give you the money and the necessary support, but at the end of the day, you should also do your part as well,” Minister Sillah told the contractor and consultant.
The new toll plaza in Bereto along the Senegambia Bridge to be operationalized 1ST June, 2022
Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, also emphasised the need for timely completion of the project and of better quality.
He affirmed that the project is funded by the Government of The Gambia, and therefore, every butut matters and should be accounted for .
“These projects are for generations to come. So we need to do our best to ensure that things are in the right standpoint,” he said.
Mr Momodou Senghore, Managing Director of the National Road Authority (NRA), told the delegation that his office would always ensure that quality is never compromised.
“Our staff is here on the ground to ensure that work is done as the way it should be done,” he said. He called on the contactor and consultant to redouble their efforts in order to finish the work on time.
Felix Ocloo, representative of the Resident Engineer for the Nuimi - Hakalang roads project gave a presentation of the entire work, by highlighting the level of progress , and challenges.
The consultant told the Minister and team that they would continue to work tirelessly to ensure that high quality is maintained throughout the project.
He said when completed, the road will be equipped with bus stops, guardrails, road signs, road markings and pavement markers.
He further stated there will be speed bumps in villages and around social amenities for traffic control; such as schools, hospitals and reflective marker posts at sharp curves.