The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), formerly the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1969, consisting of 57 member states, with 48 being Muslim-majority countries. The organisation regarded the collective voice of the Muslim world and works to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony”.
The Gambia, a key member, has been billed to host the prestigious Summit since 2019 after winning the bids at the 13th summit of the bloc held in Turkey in April 2016, but the Banjul edition has been dragging due to the country’s unpreparedness, mainly in the area of infrastructure.
However, over the last 2 years, the country has been sorting itself out with purposeful intensity and eagerness in readiness to host the second largest gathering in the world.
The infrastructural development is in high gear. The road network is undergoing extension and expansion. The most notable road work is the Bertil Harding Highway, which has overpasses being installed at strategic points. Once completed the road network would ease traffic and transportation, thereby improve commerce, productivity and economic activities.
We therefore commend government for the fact that works are at advanced stages on the Highway. The news that the Old Yundum overpass is receiving finishing touches is quite encouraging.
With the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre and the VVIP Lounge at the Banjul International Airport now done, there tends to a general feeling that The Gambia is on the right trajectory to finally being ready to host the OIC Summit.
What’s more intriguing about the OIC projects is the fact that these projects, whether the Summit is held or not, or delayed, will pose a modernizing effort on the country’s outlook and thus engender a life-long positive impact in our society. The developments are projecting and positioning The Gambia as a viable tourism destination and a magnetic centre for regional and sub-regional meetings.
Therefore, authorities - project managers, implementers and decision makers are encouraged to execute these OIC projects in the most competent and professional manner so that they serve their purpose and last for generations. The public is admonished to maintain the projects with care and patriotism. As a country we must embrace the culture of maintenance so that development initiatives last long and purposeful.
