The office is said to be fully funded by domestic funds and contracted to a local construction company, Gigo Construction company. The laying down of the foundation stone was done by former Gambian vice president.
In his inaugural statement, President Barrow said the inauguration of the new building marks another proud milestone in the nation’s history.
"Back in 2019, my vice president laid the foundation stone for this superstructure. Our innovative approach to development is to initiate such infrastructure development using Gambian expertise and resources. "
"We are here to affirm a vision of a modern, confident, and environmentally-conscious Gambia," he stressed.
He said his-led government is resolved to take the right path to achieving self-reliance. Thus, the government has taken up this project, fully financed by domestic funds, contracting local companies and generating jobs at home, thereby growing the local economy and solidifying national pride.
"When domestic companies lead, most benefits are recycled back into the economy. This resonates well with our Green Recovery-focused National Development Plan (2023-2027), ‘Yiriwa’, he said.
He said climate change is the defining challenge of this generation, adding rising seas threaten Banjul, farmers and the economy suffer the impact of erratic rains causing droughts and floods in severe cases, heatwaves strain our health systems.
Therefore, he said the “Yiriwa” calls for resilient, climate-smart infrastructure in all our regions.
"This complex is well located and designed to accommodate the Ministry of Environment, its departments and projects. Situating them closer to their natural home adds to enhancing effective and efficient coordination.
"I promise you that this is not going to be our last ground-breaking project. It is part of a country-wide drive for resilient, modernising our infrastructure, including health centres, modern markets and roads - that matches the aspirations of a twenty-first-century Gambia," he said.
He commended the Minister of MECCNAR, staff of MECCNAR for their efforts in ensuring the new edifice is completed. He further thanked GAMWORKs Management and Gigo Construction Company for stepping and ensuring the government realized its goal.
