He pointed out that President Adama Barrow has proved the doubters wrong as he has already ‘Kalang’ (dealt with) the Hakalang Road, which is set for inauguration by end of April or into May this year.
This 85.5 km popular stretch is one of the hallmark projects that the government of Gambia has embarked upon in its resolve to not only deliver world class road infrastructure, but also ensure connectivity and access to basic services to the people of Nuimi and beyond.
Ebrima Sillah was speaking on Thursday as he inspected ongoing roads in the area as he wrapped up his nationwide tour of ongoing road infrastructure projects in the country.
The Hakalang Road Project is divided into three sections: Bunaidu to Kuntaya 55.1km, Albreda to Fass Omar Saho 15.1km, and Bafuloto to Bangally 13.7km, making it a total of 84.5km. However, section 1 will be asphalt, while sections 2 and 3 will be double-surface dressing with street lights and other features expected of standard roads. Contracted CSE and PACE/GAMECS JV being the consultants, the progress of work is approximately at 85%.
Minister Sillah stated: "I think today is an important day in the history of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure in our efforts to deliver world class infrastructure to the people of this country. At least, we have proved the doubters wrong that today; we are almost at the finishing end of the main loop of Hakalang and the other secondary loops. Hopefully, in the next two months, those two will be finally done and dusted."
To this end, Works Minister extends profound thanks to His Excellency President Adam Barrow for his unwavering support and commitment to the infrastructure development especially roads.
"We’ve come from a long way. A lot of people use this road to as a scapegoat and hit at the government, to criticize the government that we are not committed to delivering this stretch and that it was all fake election promises. But today, the road is almost completed and we challenge them to come here take pictures, or come with any expert in road infrastructure to look at the quality that has gone into this road. All what we can say is that this road is one of the best roads in this country. "
The road, he added, can withstand the test of time and a lot of quality and energy have gone into making the road to what it is right now.
In this vein, he thanked the National Road authority and the consultants, contractor and all stakeholders, who played a part in the smooth execution of the works.
Ousman Sanyang, managing director of the National Roads Authority (NRA) spoke about the progress made in terms of ongoing road constructions, further assuring the people that it will serve for test of time whether asphalt or concrete.
MD maintained that the people of this country should be very proud of the work of the government in terms of building roads for this country.
"I said this before, and I'll say it again. When you compare us with other countries where the GDP is acquired higher than us, and you compare the road density per population in terms of how much roads we are building, paved roads against population, we are hitting far, far above our weight in terms of our GDP. And in countries like Nigeria, Kenya and other places we are comparing very well. In some areas we are doing very well and surpassing some of these countries that people know about. And so for that reason, we would say we are small, but we are mighty in terms of our road, road building efforts."
The road, he also added, is fully funded by government, 100% funded by government and that in fact, all the projects, saying that the whole portfolio of 365 kilometers of road under the EPC that government is currently funding is in excess of 10 billion dalasis over a four-year period.
"Look, I mean funding that from national budgets where there is a competition for use of resources. You know, on other aspects of government's work is a huge achievement, and government is still doing that. And we are really proud, and we are really, really appreciative of President Adama Barrow for all the support."
Felix Ocloo, representing the consultant PACE, disclosed that so far, the contractor has achieved the progress of 85% as asphalt is ongoing.
"There are other loops that work is currently going up. So now we are at 85%. We envisage that by March, we should be done with construction, majority of construction.”
Gibril Loum, project manager, PACE, acknowledged that from the last visit of President Adama Barrow, there have some substantial progress made, thanks to the support of government and Gambians in general.
Loum spoke of their resolve to deliver best quality and at stipulated time frame.
