By Aminata Sanneh
The Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Ebrima Sillah, has expressed optimism that the Bertil Harding Highway will be ready in time for the Banjul session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit, slated for mid -May 2024.
In this interview, Minister Sillah expressed delight over the progress of construction works on the Bertil Harding Highway and the OIC 50km roads project being implemented in key strategic locations within the Greater Banjul Area.
“Our plan has always been that the Airport Junction to Senegambia should be completely ready, and that is on course. The second layer of asphalt is already being laid, and the railings are being fitted. What is left now is to do the road furniture, and I’m happy to say that most of the things needed are here in the country,” he said.
Minister Sillah is confident that the Airport Junction to Senegambia will be done in time to host the event. He is also optimistic that the road from Senegambia to Stink Corner and the overpass bridge that is being built at Kairaba Avenue will also be ready before the summit.
Asked whether the roads will be accessible to the public during the meeting, Honourable Sillah said his Ministry’s responsibility is to ensure that the road works are completed on time; that its accessibility to the public during the summit will be determined by the Ministry of Interior.
“It is up to the Ministry of Interior and other security agencies to determine whether or not the road will be accessible to the public. However the other secondary roads will be readily available,” he assured.
Giving an update on the status of the fifty kilometers roads, the Works Minister said the Wullinkangma-Ghana Town road is ready, and that in Kanifing, the road from Kairaba Avenue which passes through the National Environment Agency all the way through to Old Jeshwang around Gambia Technical Training Institute foundry is ready, as well as the road from the Serrekunda General Hospital to the Bertil Harding Highway is also completely asphalted.
“The Bundung Road is also making a significant progress. All of the roads we are currently constructing will come with solar-powered street lights, and other road safety measures. The roads, when completed, will enhance the smooth and safe movement of people, goods and services,” he noted.
The Gambia hosts the 15th edition of the OIC summit from the 4th -5th May 2024 with several heads of state and representatives expected to grace the conference.
