“It’s important to let you know that the concession is not coming to take people out of job or business. However, it’s coming to enhance efficiency in the port and also addressing our main challenge which is the faster ship turn-around time. The problem of Banjul port is to address the ship waiting time, increase ship output,” he said.
The GPA boss was speaking yesterday during stakeholders’ engagement with Alport and other port users meant among others to discuss the concession agreement and the benefits it will bring to the Banjul Port.
“We are calling on the port users because there are people that use the port on a daily basis. One of the things that Alport is committed to, is to respect all third parties' engagements that are currently existing in the port,” he stated during the stakeholder meeting held at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.
He added: “Their role is to come and improve the infrastructure and improve efficiency so that the statutory function and responsibility of all parties will be fulfilled in an improved manner.”
“Be rest assured that people like vendors, clearing agencies and shipping agencies will still be relevant. However, all the business processes will be re-organised with a view to increase efficiency by investing in infrastructure improvement and improving the system. I will encourage all of you to embrace this partnership with a positive attitude,” he emphasised.
Alport, he said, will operate Banjul port for six years commencing 11th of January, adding: “In the meantime, the engineering study and the details that are required for the facility to be constructed in Sanyang will be investigated, and the construction will start in earnest. Thus, we expect within six years, the first phase in Sanyang will be delivered.”
This investment, he continued, will improve efficiency at the port and make sure that Banjul port remains relevant in the face of competition within the sub-region.
The Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Gambia Port Authority (GPA) and Alport, the GPA MD said, seeks to provide and efficient environment while continuing to upgrade and expand facilities to ensure that customers are satisfied and as well establishing necessary infrastructure with a view to transforming Banjul Port to an international hub.
“The main reason for going to concession is that the financial resources that are required to do the capacity improvement in Banjul port is not with GPA and that is why it’s very difficult to expand the port infrastructure.”
“We are faced with competition and by looking at the sub-region and in order to stay relevant as a port, you need to up your game. If you look at the landscape, all the ports in the region from Mauritania to Angola are all dotted with private investment.”
The Commissioner for Customs at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Alhagie Mbaye, underscored the significance of the convergence, claiming that the transformation will enhance effectiveness at the port.
“There’s no job loss in this concession and let’s embrace this concession and make sure that we are together as stakeholders. Whether we know it or not, but we are in competition.”
