Road Construction, Rehabilitation in Focus

All Gambians who use the various roads which have been constructed and repaired over the last ten years will no doubt appreciate governments efforts in this regard.

It is an undeniable fact that the Government of the Gambia has for the past years concentrated her efforts in constructing roads across the country. The Kombo Coastal road, Farafenni-Laminkoto and Serrekunda-Mandinaba are a clear testimony of these efforts.

However, the Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Lamin Bojang, on Monday gave a break down of the cost and sources of funding of the roads constructed for the past 10 years, which amounted to US$82m.

Responding to a question raised by Hon. Sidia Jatta, Member for Wuli West, as to the roads that have been constructed for the past 10 years, their cost and sources of funding, Secy. Lamin Bojang said the Essau-Kerewan road project, a 51 Kilometre stretch funded the Republic of China on Taiwan and the Gambia Government cost US$7.2m.

According to the Works, Construction and Infrastructure Secy, the Kombo Coastal road project, a 168 Kilometre stretch funded by the Kuwaiti Fund, BADEA and The Gambia Government cost a total amount of US$14.6m.

He also revealed that the Farafenni-Laminkoto road project, a 115 Kilometre stretch funded by the Kuwaiti Fund, Opec Fund and The Gambia Government cost US$25.0m.

"The Kerewan-Farafenni road project, a 59 Kilometre stretch sponsored by International Development Bank IDB and the Government of the Gambia cost a total amount of US$18.5m while the Serrekunda-Mandinaba road project, a 28 Kilometre stretch sponsored by IDB and The Gambia Government cost US$16.7m", he revealed.

On the total number of feeder roads constructed and completed from 2006-08, Secy. Bojang said between the year under review, three major feeder roads were constructed in the Western Region to boost standard.

For Secy. Bojang, a feeder road programme is being prepared to give a nation-wide coverage to the effect. The programme, he added, has been submitted to the EU for their consideration to fund.

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