The
Gambia Ports Authority is a government agency responsible for the governance
and maintenance of the ports facilities of The Gambia. It is being reported in
the news in today’s edition that the authority has roll-out a new 20 year
master plan. With this new master plan couple with current political
dispensation, the future looks bright for the GPA.
What
is more encouraging is that the new master plan spells out all the
infrastructural improvement needs of the port as well as key priority areas.
It
is an undisputable fact that maritime shipping is the lifeblood of Africa, with
over 90% of the continent’s imports and exports transported by sea.
But
despite significant opportunities, Africa still makes up just a small
percentage of global trade, with problems persisting at its ports from capacity
issues to inefficient handling time, poor security and in some places,
corruption.
However,
as economic operator, GPA remains steadfast in its operation, thus ensuring
efficiency and improvement in cargo handling to contribute meaningfully to the
economic development of the country.
Therefore,
the coming of this new master plan would significantly enhance service delivery
and reposition the ports of Banjul as a hub for the sub-region.
With
rapid growth in terms of the volume of businesses at the port in the last seven
years has been overwhelming. And this in no small measure has contributed
greatly to the overall expansion currently taking shape at the GPA.
It
is true that the potential of Africa’s shipping sector is vast, but the
continent runs the risk of sacrificing growth by not investing in sufficient
port terminal infrastructure. However, with the new development taking shape at
the ports such as digitalization and computerisation would greatly help not
only in information handling and processing, but to the tandem with other
seaports.
Human
resources development is are in any viable institution. And the inclusion in
the new 20- year Master Plan of institutional arrangement of human resources
production and improvement measures is just great.
So
we commend GPA for coming with such a brilliant move, the overall objective of
which is to contribute to the socio-economic development of The Gambia.
“Well
done is better than well said.”
Benjamin
Franklin
