The Managing Director of the National Roads Authority (NRA), Mr. Ousman Sanyang has expressed optimism that all three ongoing road projects in the North Bank Region will be completed in 2024.

The NRA MD was speaking during an interview after visiting the ongoing road construction works at Nuimi Hakalang; Kerewan-Njawara; and Banni-Sallikenne-Njaba Kunda Road respectively in the North Bank Region (NBR) on Wednesday 12th June 2024.

Hakalang Loop and Secondary Roads Project

The Hakalang Road Project is divided into three sections: Bunaidu to Kuntaya 55.1km; Albreda to Fass Omar Saho 15.1km and Bafuloto to Bangally 13.7km, respectively, making it a total of 84.5km.

The contractor is CSE, and PACE/GAMECS JV are the consultants. Progress is estimated at 78%.

Kerewan-Njawara Road Project

The Kerewan-Njawara Road Project, which is about 10km, is contracted to Gai Construction Company, a Gambian-owned company, and NRA is the consultant for the project.

This project is substantially completed. The remaining items include signs, road markings, and snagging to confirm completion of contracted works.

Banni-Sallikenne-Njaba Kunda Road Project

The 17km road is from Banni Salikenne to Njaba Kunda. It is contracted to Bajam Enterprise Limited, another Gambian-owned construction company, and NRA is supervising the construction works. The progress of works is estimated at 70%.

“I am hopeful that all the three ongoing road projects in the North Bank Region will be ready by the end of the year, 2024,” he said, “This is contingent upon payments to the contractors on time to meet their timelines for the completion of the works.”

According to him, these roads are quite important as they aim to provide and improve access to day-to-day services and facilities for people, such as hospitals, markets, schools, and workplaces.

“These roads are vital to people’s daily lives. Roads provide some benefits that are intangible, i.e., hard to place monetary value on them, such as improved lifestyle, health, and well-being.”