Urgent Action is the Solution

There’s no doubt that an efficient transportation network is indispensable to the realisation of government’s Vision 2020 objectives, but only if urgent actions are taken to put both major and minor roads in the country in excellent condition within a reasonably short time.

Concerns have been raised regarding the poor state of roads not only within the Greater Banjul Area but also some parts of the rural areas, which is indeed a matter of grave concern.

Availability of a proper road network has now become a major concern in all corners of our society as we now enter the rainy season, the time when life gets extremely difficult for commuters what with the dilapidated condition of most of the roads as well as the poor drainage system in almost all the areas.

A good example is the Trans-Gambia highway. Going from Kalagi to Jarra Soma and even beyond. It is a dreadful experience; it’s so horrible that you wouldn’t even wish for your enemy to undertake such a journey.

Taking a stroll along the Serrekunda-Senegambia highway, Westfield-Sukuta stretch, Manjai-Kotu highway, Bundung-Serrekunda highway and some parts of Ebo Town, one cannot help but see how dilapidated our roads have become. 

The National Assembly approved the construction of the Westfield-Sukuta road project sometime ago and Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) recently presented a cheque to Gamworks for their counterpart contribution towards the construction of Kayupa Road in Churchill’s town but it is strange that not much has been done in that regard.

The condition of some of the roads is such that it appears that councils are not taking any measures to address the bottlenecks in their respective areas.

This is a disgrace in view of the grand strives needed for the development of the country.

While we appreciate the efforts of the government and more so the Department of State for Works and Infrastructure in such bids as putting up of street lights and rehabilitation of some roads, we are still urging the authorities to boost efforts in putting our roads in a good state as this would do well for the country and her citizens.

The councils should also be seen working instead of making bogus promises because they owe obligations to the tax and rate payers.