NA Select Committee Question Westfield/Sukuta Road Implementation Delay

Friday, August 22, 2008
The issue that has been of concern to members of the joint sessions of the Public Accounts and Enterprises Committees of the National Assembly is how soon the rehabilitation of Westfield/Sukuta road project will be implemented.

The rehabilitation of Westfield/Sukuta road project, one of the busiest road in the country, was recently ratified by the National Assembly to the tune of D7.5m but unfortunately, much is yet to be done.

According to reports, the joint sessions of the Public Accounts and Enterprises committees of the National Assembly have expressed grave concern as to the delay in the implementation of the project.

Road construction, which has been seen by many as a priority for the government, is reported to have cost the government a total amount of US$82m for the past ten years.

The report also highlighted concern over the appointment of external auditors by the Gambia Agency for the Management of Public Works (GAMWORKS) without the knowledge of the auditor general, high budget deficit among others.

It however commended the Agency for the Basse mini stadium, water supply problems addressed in Garawol and Demba Kunda all in the Upper River Region and Kaur market in the Central River Region.

It could be recalled the Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Lamin Bojang, recently gave a break down to the National Assembly as to the cost and sources of funding of the roads constructed for the past ten years.

According to the Works, Constructing and Infrastructure Secy, the Kombo Coastal Road project, Essau-Kerewan, Farafenni-Laminkoto, Kerewan Farafenni, and Serrekunda Mandinaba roads, which were all constructed in the past ten years cost the government a tune of US$82m.

Author: By Baboucarr Senghore