OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.
The mega event organizes the Islamic Summit, which is the largest meeting, attended by the Rulers and the Heads of State and Government of its member states.
Hosting this mega international event is important not only as a Muslim-majority country, but the infrastructural development it comes with. Currently, there are many infrastructural projects lined up for the successful hosting of the event.
On a recent site visit to see firsthand the level progress made, the Gambian leader, Adama Barrow expressed delight with the level of progress made at the ongoing OIC Road projects; the 22-kilometre Bertil Harding Highway Road and the 50-kilometre Urban Road projects.
As he rightly stated, these roads are very important to the country for the simple reason that they are landmark projects for the country. Let’s remember that this is the first time for the country to have such roads.
Although they are very expensive, their durable nature is unquestionable. These are high quality and modern roads that can stand the taste of time.
It is no gainsaying that the current OIC projects taking place are changing the country’s outlook especially in the Greater Banjul Area.
The Bertil-Harding Highway, one of the country’s major roads in the Greater Banjul Area, which is being widened to convert it into a dual carriageway with three lanes on each side, two flyovers, 12 roundabouts, including streetlights, pathways, and drainage systems. This dual carriageway would significantly reduce traffic congestion especially during peak hours.
Another remarkable and magnificent edifice is the Sir Dawda Kairaba International Conference Centre. This international conference centre boasts of all the latest facilities required of modern centres hosting mega events.
We want to commend both the consultants and contractors for the remarkable engineering works on site. The engineering work currently taking shape at the various OIC projects is really changing the status quo.
We equally call on consultants and contractors to do their best and complete the project on the stipulated time. This mega international convergence has been postponed several times due to the non-completion of the project. We cannot afford to lose hosting this event this time around.
It would amaze one to know that a mere hosting of this international event speaks volume of the country’s level of development.
We have seen how it changed countries that have successfully hosted it in the past. From infrastructural developments to injecting huge sums of monies in terms of GDP, are just the least to mention.
Let’s all embrace it and support the country to host this international mega event.