By Mahzouba Maya Faal
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST)has announced that Lot 1 of the fixed package of The University of The Gambia’s Faraba Banta Campus is completed. Lot 1 includes Schools of Business and Public Administration, Arts and Sciences, Education, Information Technology and Communications and a library.
On Friday, 29th September, 2023, the Ministry covened a press conference on-site the University campus. The presser also allowed media personnel to tour the structures and facilities of the campus The Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez led the tour, with his technical team at the Ministry and contractor, Shapoorji Pallonji. The Minister of Information, Lamin Queen Jammeh was also part of the team at Faraba.
During the press conference, the Permanent Secretary at MoHERST, Dr. Yusupha Touray gave a rundown of the project from its inception to date and emphasised the need for the effective use and management of the facilities by UTG as they move into the new campus.
Hon. Gomez thanked the President His Excellency Adama Barrow, for his unwavering support towards the success of the UTG Faraba Banta project.
He also thanked the contractor Shapoorji Pallonji, consultant, Pan Arab Consulting Engineers (PACE), the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), all sub-contractors, MoHERST staff, UTG, the media, and all other stakeholders who contributed to the completion of Lot-1. He also expressed special gratitude to the community elders, leaders and women of Faraba Banta, for their tireless support, commitment and dedication to the project.
On campus, there are well-built structures, electricity and water, modern classrooms, auditoriums, office spaces, office equipment, chairs and desks, smart boards, overhead projectors, air conditioners and ceiling fans, water dispensers, CCTV cameras, WIFI, health and safety measures, lightening protection systems, street lights, solar systems, generators, among many others.
On Saturday, 30th September 2023, the Ministry official handed over Lot 1 of the completed package to the management of the University of The Gambia.
