Ebrima Sillah, who was accompanied by senior officials of his Ministry and National Roads Authority (NRA), was speaking on Friday as he began his routine nationwide inspection of road projects currently underway across the country.
He stated: “We can say with satisfaction that we are profoundly happy with the progress of work on the ‘Hakalang loop’. Currently, almost all the works are completed, except on Section Two from Albreda ---Fass Saho, which is left with only six kilometers to be completely sealed.”
He expressed optimism that the road furniture works that have just started will be completed on time for the contractors to hand over the project to the government in early July, to actually decide the actual date of inaugurating this very important project.
“And as you have all seen from Buniadu going all the way to the very end of that loop, have completely being asphalted. And what we have done is a phenomenal work in that loop. And you have also seen the double surface dressing in the other two loops and the excitement of the local people.”
Minister Sillah thus extends most profound thanks to the contractor, the consultants and the NRA, plus the Ministry for the collaboration that they put together to get where they are today.
He equally thanked His Excellency, the President and the entire government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, who provided the necessary funding for these projects, and the Ministry of Justice that always support the Works Ministry in clearing the legal documents, as well as other ministries that provide technical support like the Lands Ministry.”
The ‘Hakalang Road’, he continued, historically has been one of the most isolated areas of this country, but today, thanks to the road works on this famous stretch, the area has been opened up.
“We can now see that the market women are now coming all the way to the vegetable gardeners to buy directly from them. There is no problem of vehicles coming from Barra to the very remote areas of Hakalang area because they know that the road is good. We are also seeing that tourists are coming with visit the famous Kunta Kinteh Island because the road is done. So, the importance of this particular loop cannot be over-emphasised.”
Minister Sillah also made reference to the Kuntaya Health Center being particularly well attended now, as people no longer have to be on horse carts.
“Elsewhere, on the 17km Banni, Salikenni-Njaba Kunda loop in Central Badibbu, minister Sillah remained optimistic that about the progress of work.
He informed that at least the complete ceiling /sealing of first layer of the double surface should be completed by the second week of July or third week of July.
“And if the rains are not very heavy, the second layer will be laid, if not, then, you know, we will allow for the rains to subside, hopefully by September, October to have the second layer. But by that time, you know, there would have been no problem driving on this road because the first layer would have been laid.”
Further commenting on the economic development associated with roads, minister Sillah maintained that infrastructures like electricity also follows road development.
“Wherever we have road, we see that new schools are coming up, new buildings are coming up. People are developing their communities, now their houses and wherever we have roads, we also see easier access of markets. Women, vegetable gardeners and farmers particularly, are able to transport their produce from these remote areas to the market centers. So that in itself, is bringing in the necessary growth, the necessary economic development and the necessary economic empowerment of the direct beneficiaries of this infrastructure projects.”
Minister Sillah also spoke about plans to encourage the Gambia Transport Company Services to extend communal bus services or rural bus services to these communities.
For his part, Dembo Samateh, deputy governor of the North Bank Region, first thanked the Minister and delegation for the move, saying it is a routine visit aimed at monitoring and assessing the progress on road and other key infrastructure projects.
He said project monitoring is very important and has become a passion to visit project sites to assess the level of works.
“And most of the time if you see him, the President will follow suit. And my governor is also in love with these two projects being the famous road project -the Banni Salikeni - Njaba Kunda Loop.”
He called on all to support government as it delivers this life-changing projects to the doorsteps of people.
The 85km stretch, fully funded by the government of The Gambia, is divided into three components: the Buniadu -Kuntaya (55.7 KM); Albreda -Fass Omar Saho (15.14 KM); and Bangally -Bafuloto (13.71 KM).
