The
management of the Brikama Area Council (BAC) in partnership with Gamworks
Monday commissioned the Brikama Market extension project worth D8,453,610.
The handing over ceremony was graced by the
Minister of Lands and Regional Government, staff and management of BAC,
communities and Governor WCR.
The
ceremony was chaired by the public relations officer, who doubles as senior
admin. officer of the Brikama Area Council, Modou Njonga.
In
his statement at the ceremony, the BAC Chairman, Bakary Saibo Sanneh, said the
multimillion dalasi project was under the priority infrastructural projects of
the council, and it was implemented in partnership with Gamworks Agency under
the cross-community component of Community-based Livelihood Improvement Project
(CILIP).
According
to Sanneh, the project was among several other developmental projects
undertaken by the current administration of the council, geared towards
addressing the ever-growing demand for market space for the teaming number of
businessmen and women, who in one way or the other are contributing to the
socio-economic development of our dear motherland.
BAC
Chairman Sanneh saluted the staff and councilors of BAC for their hard work and
dedication in addressing the welfare of tax and rate payers.
He
also thanked Gamworks, CILIP, the contractor and the consultant for giving them
a beautiful facelift of the Brikama Central Market.
Also
speaking on the occasion was Omar Gaye, Technical Director at Gamworks, who
said the project that had been inaugurated forms part of many projects they
implemented on behalf of BAC under the community-based infrastructure and
livelihood improvement project.
He
said Gamworks signed the contract in November 2014 with Santa Yalla Business
Center, with the design and supervision handled by Fenta Consultant architects.
He
said the original contract was for D6,653,610 and was supposed to be two
buildings associated with facilities like 21 shops up with a supermarket and
numbers of shops upstairs.
However,
he said, during the course of the implementation of the construction, BAC upon
further consultation requested for additional canteens and some shops and, for
these reason, there was a variation of another D1,800,000 added to the contract,
given a total sum of D8,453,610 for the
construction of the magnificent building.
As
a result, he added, the shops under the upper level were increased to 17
(seventeen) shops with two big shops with toilets facilities, and there are
external toilets added for both males and females.
He
described this as a big effort from Gamworks and BAC, which put together
resources to realise this state-of-the-earth building.
They
have already also started another project with BAC, regarding roads and other
infrastructure.
The
CILIP project manager, Maria Dacosta, expressed happiness on behalf of the
management of the project to hand over the keys to the chairman of the Brikama
Area Council.
In
her speech, the WCR Governor, Ajariatou Siffai Hydara, said this was a great
moment of joy and appreciation, and thanked Gamworks and Brikama Area Council
for making the event a reality in West Coast Region.
She
said there have been development under the administration of the council, all
geared towards addressing the ever-increasing demand for market space for their
vendors, who in one way or the other are also contributing their quota towards
the socio-economic development of the nation.
She
dilated on the importance of markets towards the daily living, and that every
household needs the services of a market.
Therefore,
she added, the extension of the Brikama market was not only timely, but it
would undoubtedly enhance business activities, and thereby increased the
revenue base of the council.
“At
this juncture, I want to implore the direct users of the facilities, the
vendors, to be paying their dues to council, and on time, which is very key.”
She
said these are the moneys that council ploughs back to the community in the
form of projects and programmes.
“To
the BAC management, I want to salute them through the Chairman and the CEO for
their commitment, hard work and dedication in addressing the welfare of the
taxpayers of my region.”
She
also advised both the council and the users to maintain the facilities.
The
Chief Executive Officer of Brikama Area Council, Mama Sait Jallow, expressed
his impressions and delight over the commissioning of the market extension,
which he said was one of its kind in the country.
“We as management are very proud to have this
kind of facility, and we are looking forward to getting more of this kind of
structures,” he said.
He
added that there would be sustainability mechanisms that would be put in place
to ensure the durability and the sustenance of the structure, as well as its
cleaning.
He
thanked the management and staff of the council for their cooperation and team
work in collaboration with Gamworks, during the course of the implementation of
the project.
CEO Jallow also assured all that there are
more development projects for their tax and rate payers in the pipeline.
