He made this pronouncement on Tuesday after realising that drivers have started causing accidents on the newly constructed bridge, thus damaging the guard rails that are fixed for protection.
“We have seen at the Senegambia Bridge that there have been some serious accidents and some guard rails on the bridge are already tampered with as a result of the accidents. We instruct the NRA to quickly work with partners to repair the damaged rails,” the minister said.
He added that it’s important for the drivers to drive carefully on the bridge, saying without having strong guard rails, some of the vehicles would have plunged into the river. He called on the police to arrest people causing such accidents to pay the damages.
“The amount of money to be used for the repair could have been used to do other important things. It’s unacceptable and the police should now make it so that whoever makes an accident on the bridge should be arrested to assess the damages for onward payment,” he said.
After visiting the Senegambia Bridge, the minister proceeded to Lot 2 of 50-kilometre (km) road constructions contracted to Cornerstone Company in Upper Saloum. The ongoing construction of Laminkoto, Banni, Youna, and Kunting is an 11-kilometre road project. Karantaba, Reneru, Tabanani Demfaye, and Njaga-Fitu Fulla are 26kms while the Njau Sawalo loop is 13kms.
The minister was pleased with the ongoing works, saying the contractor could finish before the contract timeline. He encouraged the contractor and the consultant to work together with NRA to ensure the project can be delivered expeditiously on time and within budget. He said the roads would open the region to trade and other services like health, education, electricity and water.
Jonas Agyemang, Chief Designer of Njau Road, explained that the objective of the project was the construction of earthworks, double surface dressing, hydraulic structures, road furniture, and the erection of solar-powered street lights.
“Plan for the following months is the completion of 8km base course – Njau loop, construction of concrete structures in Njau and Karantaba, surface treatment for Njau and Karantaba and civil works to start on Laminkoto Road. Estimated progress of work is 28%,” he declared.
Mary Ceesay, a beneficiary from Reneru village, testified that some women, especially pregnant women died due to lack of proper roads.
Pa Jagne of Reneru, also reiterated the importance of the road, reaffirming that many have died along their way to connect to Bansang Hospital or Karantaba Health Center. He added that many women delivered along the road to the hospital due to improper road network.
“During the rainy season, some have died on the road while others faced attacks by wild animals like hyenas. Currently, the village is in a danger zone because criminals from Senegal used to attack us always and we need the support of the government to provide us with a paramilitary camp,” he appealed.
The Minister further visited the Basse Manneh Kunda-Gambisara Road Construction, a 12km road contracted to Gai Construction.
