Tabling the agreement before parliamentarians, Seedy Keita, the minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, said the financing comprises a loan of US$30 million.
“The overarching objective of the project is to improve the overall functionality of the Bertil Harding Highway by fostering economic activities along the 22-kilometer main carriageway.”
He added that building on the National Development Plan, the government of The Gambia now strives to implement the Recovery Focus NDP.
“As highlighted in the Recovery Focus NDP 2020-2027, the road transport network is the major artery and conduit of the national transport system, and facilitating intermodal transfers,” he said.
“Without a fully functioning road transport network, economic and social activities will be negatively impacted, with great costs to the economy and society at large,” he added.
“The Government is on a concerted infrastructural drive to construct and upgrade 1,200 kilometers of national urban and rural roads, aligning with the predominant goal of the NDP Recovery Focus.”
“The first pillar of the ISDB Strategy Plan Alignment 2023-2025, and the seventh pillar of the ISDB Country Engagement Framework, the Bank is providing support to the government of The Gambia through concessional financing for the widening of the Bertil Harding Highway Phase 3.”
“The objective of the widening of the Bertil Harding Highway Phase 3 is to improve transport accessibility along the Bertil Hardin Highway with a focus on construction of service roads to promote mobility.
“Approximately 42.8 kilometers of the service roads will be constructed parallel to the main high carriageway, which measures 22 kilometers, from the airport junction to Sting Corner.”
“The service roads will include essential drainage, while the main carriageway will be equipped with road furniture such as street lighting, traffic lights and signs, enforcement cameras and others,” he disclosed.”
“The construction of an additional overpass at Sukuta-Jabang will significantly lessen the traffic congestion raised by the road users.”
“The specific objectives of the Phase 3 are as follows: Promoting economic activities, activating the route corridor to encourage economic activity and growth, thereby contributing to the National Road Authority Infrastructure Asset Base and promoting SMEs and employment; Improve mobility, enhancing the road network's mobility by constructing service roads and additional overpass aimed at alleviating traffic congestion, resolving drainage, addressing the drainage issues to alleviate flooding along the road corridor and adjacent properties, and enhancing safety.”
He further informed parliament that “the construction will also increase commercial access along the Bertil Harding Highway through development of parking spaces from 0 to 800; boost commercial activity by 20% in the targeted areas within two years of the project completion; increase the number of traffic signals and signage installation by 25% in targeted areas within six months of project completion and reduce traffic-related accidents by 68% in one year of completion.”
“The following are the terms of Phase 3. The loan financing amount, $30 million, service fee not exceeding 1.5% of the approved amount, grace period 7 years, maturity 25 years.”
