Speaking at the ceremony, NCAC director general Baba Ceesay said the project is important not only for the area, but for the entire country.
He added that the project had the participation of the community in designing the choice of the building materials, and thanked the two consultants of the project.
Abdoulie Hydara, director general of the Gambia Tourism Board, also thanked the consultants and the community of the area, as well as the National Assembly committee for tourism affairs.
He said laying of the foundation stone is important to the GTBoard, as there is partnership between GTBoard and the NCAC; hence great importance is attached to the project and other tourism concerns.
People coming to The Gambia are not here only for beaches, the sand, and the sun. “Many of them come here also because of strong cultural heritage,” he said, adding: “We are very happy, and we hope the project will yield the maximum benefits.”
Hon. Man Cherno Jallow, National Assembly member for Upper Niumi, thanked the NCAC and the GTBoard for their support in actualising such veritable innovative ventures, as expected of them.
Bakary Jammeh, chairman of the board of directors of the GTBoard, said the day was a symbolic one, as it was in line with the national development blueprint - Vision 2020.
“That is the strategy of tourism, culture and development, which was shared and blessed by the entire government,” he said, adding that their primary responsibility as an institution is to always develop tourism.
