US$4M highway, street lightening loan ratified

The US$4 M between the Government of the Republic of The Gambia and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) for the Highway and Street Lightening Project, was yesterday unanimously ratified by Members of the National Assembly, at an extra-ordinary session held at the Assembly Chambers in  Banjul.

The projects’ scope includes a detailed design, supply, installation and commissioning of all equipment and materials required to ensure the satisfactory installation and connection of the entire lightening system for the areas specified.

Presenting the loan before NAMS, Musa Gibril Balla Gaye, Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, said the Highway and Street Lightening Project covers: Banjul/ Westfield (Serrekunda) Highway that is from Banjul Arch 22 roundabout, through Old Jeshwang, Kanifing Industrial Area to West field Traffic Lights,
b; Old Cape Road (Mile 5 to Bakau Tourist Market that is, from Mile 5 Nawec switchyard to Bakau roundabout tourist market,
c; South Atlantic Boulevard/ Koffi Annan street, that’s from Fajara Hotel through MRC, Bakau Market, Bakau roundabout, tourist market to Sunbeach Hotel Resort including Kofi Annan street,
d; Shell traffic lights on (Kairaba Avenue)-Sting Corner, that’s from Shell Filling Station traffic lights, through Fajara M Section, Kanifing Industrial Area, Kanifing East, Old Jeshwang to Sting Corner,
e; Sait Matty Road through Mile 7 to Methodist Academy, that’s from Bakau Trust Bank Ltd, through Daily Observer Newspaper, Mile 7 Radio Station to Methodist Academy,
f; Shell Traffic Lights/Total Filling Station (Kairaba Avenue) that is, from Shell Filling Station Traffic Lights to Total Filling Station on Kairaba Avenue.

The loan, according to SoS Gaye, is repayable over 15 years, after a grace period of 5 years. He added that interest rate is 1 percent per annum on the principal amount of the loan withdrawn and outstanding from time to time, noting that government will also pay a service charge of 1 percent per annum on the principal amount of the loan withdrawn.

SoS Gaye then informed NAMs that the government of The Gambia has decided that Nawec will execute the project to build-up capacity and ensure sustainability.

Supporting the loan, Sellu Bah, NAM for Basse commended the SoS for negotiating such a huge loan, on behalf of the people of the country and urged the local authorities to make the best use of it. He also commended the new management of Gamworks and then urged them to keep up the momentum.

Hon. Babading KK Daffeh, NAM for Kiang Central appealed to government to also consider his area, and to decentralise the projects rather than focusing only on Jarra Soma.

Hon. Abdoulie Kanaji Jawla, NAM for Sandu appealed to government to also consider electrifying the roads linking Serrekunda and Sukuta to prevent the escalation of crime rates.

Hon. Momodou Sanneh, Minority  Leader and NAM for Kiang West, urged the authorities to create a monitoring team to ensure that the jobs are well-done and properly evaluated.

Kalifa Jammeh, NAM for Bakau described the project as one of the most important projects for the nation. This, he said, is due to the fact that the specified areas, more especially in Bakau are areas that tourists visit.

Haddy Nyang-Jagne, NAM for Jeshwang described it as another manifestation of the love the present government has for the Gambian people.