Locals made this disclosure on Sunday as minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure Ebrima Sillah, accompanied by delegation continued on day-two of his routine inspection of ongoing road projects within the area. The nationwide exercise seeks to gather first-hand information and assess progress made in infrastructural works.
While constructions in some communities have gone half way into the life-changing transformation, works have heightened in other areas with many keenly anticipating the final completion.
Narrating some of the challenges they encounter, Maimuna Dampha, a resident and student at Abuko Secondary School, recounts the daily challenges they endure during the rainy season in getting transport to their various destination.
That challenge, she said, forced many to resort to taking town-trips to reach their various destinations. She added that once construction works are completed, it would significantly help residents to move about freely.
“She “welcomes” this road project she said, adding it will also include installations of street lights and traffic signs. She also recalled that there were instances when some residents got attacked due to the nature of the area especially during the night.
Another Abuko resident, Ansumana Dampha, while expressing similar sentiments, acknowledged the importance of this feeder road project. He said that the road is very vital for business due to its strategic nature, connecting vital communities in the area.
The area, he added, has also become a hotspot for criminal-gangs, who sometimes used the nearby Abuko Nature Reserve as a hideout. He said that once the road construction works are completed with street lights, such threats posed by criminals would be a thing of the past.
Elsewhere in Bafuloto, residents spoke in the same line, commending the government for its foresight in bringing such an important landmark project to their area.
Yankuba Daffeh, widely known as ‘Oustass’ and a resident of the community, acknowledged the transformative impact the roads would have on the lives of the people once completed.
The deplorable condition of the roads, he said, has cost them greatly from economic standpoint, education, health and even access to basic services.
“The people here are suffering due to the poor road condition especially during the rainy season when the area is regarded as a no-go area.”
The road condition, he observed, also contributed to low performance of children in schools in view of the fact that some will be absent from schools while others arrive late at school.
Alpha Omar Jallow, a driver in Youna, explained that the road condition used to be a nightmare for many especially when planning a trip to the community.
“Usually, if one was able to visit the area, to go back had always been a problem as drivers would avoid the area due the deplorable road conditions.
“We commend the government for their foresight and commitment to construct a standard road for us.”
Meanwhile this project, under the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) is divided into different components.
Lot 5 project covers a 4km project, contracted to Bologel Limited, a Gambian construction company, while the National Roads Authority (NRA) supervises. The project involves a double surface dressing road with two lanes of carriage, paved shoulders, sidewalks, and parking spaces, including streetlights and drainage facilities.
The project covers Farato Bojang Kunda to Bafuloto (4km); Wellingara Kunkujang Keitaya (4.2km); Wellingara to Abuko Abattoire (4km); Lamin - Babylon- Makumbaya Road (6km); Tabokoto- Abuko-Banjulinding Road (3.7km).
Lot 6 project in the West Coast Region is divided into three road sections with a total length of 28 kilometres.
Section 1 comprises Youna -Jambur -Jalangbang -Brikama, (13.9 km); Section 2 connects Jambur -Baniaka -Kunkujang -Tujereng, (11 km) and Section 3 stretches from Old Yundum -Tawto -Jabang, (3.2 km). The contractor is working on section 1 and is currently on the construction of the culvert.
Lot 9 Sanyang (Hawba) Road Project stretches to Sanyang seaside and is a 4.5km road contracted to Zen Construction and Trading Company, a Gambian-owned company. The project is a carriage concrete way, with a sidewalk and drainage facilities, including an Irish crossing.
The Lot 8 project in Gunjur starts from the Brusubi-Kartong Highway to the Gunjur seaside and also branches to the Gunjur Sheikh Ahmad Futi Grand Mosque. The 4.5km road project is contracted to Green Vision International, a Gambian-owned Construction Company, and the consultant and supervisor is the National Roads Authority (NRA). The project is a concrete pavement and drainage facility on both sides. It would be a modern road with streetlights.
