By Lamin Njie
Infrastructure development is a key driver and a critical enabler of productivity and sustainable economic growth. It contributes significantly to human development, poverty reduction, and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Investment in infrastructure accounts for over half of the recent improvement in economic growth in Africa and has the potential to achieve even more.
It is against this backdrop that the Government of The Gambia has, since 2017 heavily invested in the infrastructural development sector of the country, particularly in the area of road networks linking towns, villages and even commercial facilities.
One of these facilities that benefited from access to new road is the Basse Market. Following the successful completion of the construction of the market, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure has delegated Gamworks to construct a 14.9-million-Dalasis concrete ring road or access road to the new Basse market. The project is awarded to Gai Construction Company as the contractor, while Master Plan is the consultant.
The road is expected to enhance access to the market particularly by motorists, especially truck drivers during loading and off-loading of goods around the market vicinity.
To monitor and assess progress of the work, senior officials from the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure comprising, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr Ousaman Ceesay; and Admin and Director of Technical Services, Mr Matarr Ceesay, together with key stakeholders, recently visited the project site in Basse, Upper River Region (URR).
Updating the officials after the site visit of the project, James Furumus Gomez, Senior Project Manager, Gamworks, revealed that the project would be completed by the end of August, as per the contract agreement.
He further stated that the work is progressing without any difficulties and that all the materials needed for the project are in stock.
He further assured the senior officials that the work will be of good standard and quality when completed. That it will make available a good drainage system for water passage as Basse is known for its heavy rains.
The Governor of URR, Mr.Samba Bah and the Alkalo Mr.Sellu Bah, of Basse, both expressed their satisfaction with the progress of work. They both commended the government for coming up with such a project for the people of the region.
