NRA, Works Ministry inspects WCR, LRR ongoing road projects

As part of the ongoing routine inspection of all ongoing road construction projects across the country, the National Roads Authority (NRA) led by its Managing Director and the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure (MOTWI) under the leadership of the Hon. Minister Ebrima Sillah on Monday 27th January 2025 visited the EPC Lot 3, 4 and the Kiang West Road Projects in the West Coast and Lower River Regions respectively.

These visits, amongst other things, aims to provide heads of institutions with first-hand information and assess the work progress registered in the ongoing projects.

The NRA and the Ministry’s entourage started the inspection at the ongoing Lot 4 Foni Road Project

The Foni Lot 4 road is 22.53km, and it is divided into four loops:

1. Kalagi – Kamangka – Bondali is 10.2km;

2. Jorem Nema Kunda – Jorem Bunda Kunda is 1.45km;

3. Sangajorr _Dasilami is 5.78km and

4. Kamfenda – Tintinbaa is 5.1km respectively.

The project is contracted to SOMAGEC, and the Consultant is Gamecs.

Meanwhile, the Contractor completed the earthworks and pavement in Kalagi – Kamangka – Bondali road; in Jorem Nema Kunda – Jorem Bunda Kunda, they completed the earthworks up to the base level; while in Sangajorr -Dasilami, some are on subgrade while other roads are on subbase level. But works yet to start in Kamfenda – Tintinbaa road.

Overall progress is approximately 22%.

The Kiang West Road Project

This project, which is divided into two (2) phases, is 87km.

Phase 1 is from Kiang Sankandi to Karantaba – 39km, while Phase 2, which starts from Kiang Keneba to Kiang Kemoto is 48km.

Phase 2 comprises several roads connecting to Phase 1.

The Consultant for the project is CityScape Associates, while the Contractor is Gai Construction.

The Contractor entirely completed asphalt in Phase 1, while in Phase 2, it completed asphalt in Jali and is now moving to Manduar -Jolly.

The project has overall achieved 90% of work progress in Phase 1, while 75% of the work progressed in Phase 2.

Lot 3 Kabada Road project in the LowerRiverRegion (LRR).

This road is 102kms, and it is contracted to Long Jian Construction (a Chinese company), and Gamecs is the Consultant.

This network of roads for Lot 3 will be implemented in three (3) phases, as follows: –

Section 1 links: Kwinella – Wellingara – Tabanani – Madina – Nioro – Sare Sajo – Njolfe

Nioro – Sibito – Sare Suna – Kudong Fula Kunda

Share Sajo – Nemakuta

Njolfen – Toranka Bantang – Kolior

Section 2 links: Njolfen – Madina – Sare Samba – Daru Salam – Kohel – Konkol Kunda – Munkutalla

Section 3 links: Missira – Sare Musa – Sunbundu – Senoba Jonki

Foroya Fula -Amgalei – Sara Seidy – Buiba – Buiba Mandika

Sasita Medina Alla – Japineh.

The contractor is actively working on all three sections of the roads. They are also working on the hydraulic structures, i.e. Irish crossings and culverts.

Nine of the 12 roads are on base, two are on subbase and one is on subgrade. Overall progress is at 22%.

Speaking after the site visits, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure (MOTWI), said that it is the first time in the Gambia to have a government that has vested resources, energy and time to the welfare of the people of Kiang in the Lower River Region.

“Today, we can say that with certainty we are on course to the election promises to the people of Kiang, especially Kabada to not only provide them with roads but electricity as well,” he said.

According to him, they are very hopeful that the contractors will deliver the projects on time.

For his part, Ousman Sanyang, Managing Director of the National Roads Authority (NRA), stated that these ongoing projects in the West Coast Region and Lower River Regions are very important projects not only to the regions but the country at large.

He added that these roads will provide connectivity to several communities in both regions while promising that all the ongoing roads across the country are going to be built with quality.