The inspection was aimed to have firsthand information on the progress of work of the ongoing construction of the School of Dental Clinics, Administrative Block, Theatre and Ward of UTG Dental School at Polyclinic in Banjul.
Speaking at the school of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences in Banjul during the inspection, Prof Gomez said that they were on transit in Banjul to accomplish a mission and then continue to Faraba Banta Campus as their final destination.
He informed that President Adama Barrow had instructed for the project work to be completed soon, while highlighting the significance of the project inspection.
Prof Gomez revealed that the project funds were internally generated from tax payers, while revealing that President Barrow has also instructed for extra funding of over D30 million to be provided to support the completion of the work.
He said upon project completion, it would be the first time in the history of The Gambia to have a School of Dentistry which is expected to graduate the first batch of home grown dentists from Banjul.
Minister Gomez commended the government and people of Nigeria for providing the necessary support of first-class professors to help as their manpower to other professors within the School of Dentistry.
According to Prof. Gomez, a concept has already been developed. He added that the UTG, Ministry of Finance and all stakeholders are looking for extra funds of over $43 million for the third phase with new structures in Faraba Banta.
He revealed that this would include pharmacists to enable them to train pharmacists in The Gambia.
Herbert Robinson, the vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia, revealed that they have challenges to overcome, adding that the Dentistry requires a clinical space.
He added that the government committed D28 million for the construction of the project, revealing that there are still gaps to be filled.
He revealed that the UTG also had to commit funds to ensure that the project continues.
He further appealed to MoHERST for more support to expand the capacities of the project. He said the Dentistry would be able to accommodate 25 students at a time.
For his part, Alhagie Saihou Ndong, the project consultant, said once the project is completed, the Dentistry would have all the required facilities which include laboratories, theatre, administrative site, nurses’ stations, conference room and lecture rooms with modern equipment among others.
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