Speaking at the handing-over ceremony held at the barracks, Ambassador Chen said the work on renovation of the living quarters of the barracks lasted for two years.
According to him, it involved the repairing of leakages, replacement of doors, steel louvre windows, repainting of the houses and carrying out the entire electrical work in the quarters.
“The renovation project cost US$660,807 (six hundred and sixty thousand eight hundred and seven dollars),” he revealed.
He further revealed that the second project, which involved the provision of fuel dumps to the Yundum, Bakau and Farafenni Army barracks cost US$167,688 (One hundred and sixty-seven thousand, six hundred and eighty-eight dollars).
The chief Taiwanese diplomat told his audience that the projects were made possible through a request from the Gambia Government to make the barracks a centre of excellence in the sub-region.
He noted that it was the wisdom of President Jammeh to equip Gambia Armed Forces with modern equipment and safety standards of living.
“The successful completion and handing-over of these projects is based on the fraternal relations between our two countries,” he remarked.
For his part, Major General Saikou Sekan, deputy Chief of Defense Staff, commended the government and people of Taiwan for the support they have been rendering to GAF.
He urged the officers, men and women of Yundum Barracks to ensure proper upkeep of the facilities.
“We must endeavour to ensue we have new approaches to maintenance as good maintenance planning schedule is needed to keep the facilities functional,” he said.
He commended the contractors for a job well done and urged the soldiers to put the facilities in good use.
Abdoulie Kah, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence, said the gesture will boost the welfare of the soldiers.
Mr Kah also expressed hope that the bilateral relationship between The Gambia and Taiwan would be further strengthened.
Major Timothy Sanyang, commanding officer 1st infantry battalion, said the development has marked another milestone in the annals of Yundum Barracks.
The development would impact positively on their lives as a battalion, Major Sanyang said, whilst assuring officials and donors that they would take good care of the facilities provided to them.
