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Gambia: European Commission to Start Road Projects

The European Commission project to support the Gambia National Transport Plan has taken off the ground with the signing of contracts with the Gambian govt. to rehabilitate and upgrade the trunk road in Barra-Amdallai, Mandinaba-Seleti, Soma-Basse, Basse-Wellingara and the Trans Gambia highway. The work is expected to start within three to four weeks.

According to the representative of the European Commission in The Gambia, Madam Helene Cave,

Madam Helene made this pronouncement at the occasion of the European Development Fund Day held at the EU Commission headquarters in Fajara, on the 9th May 2007, which also marks the 58th anniversary of the treaty of Rome.

Madam Helene further revealed that the commission is currently implementing the 9th European development fund, adding that the 10th development fund will start next year and will have a financial envelope more important than the one on the 9th EDF.

According to her, it will be around seven million euros (2,500,000,000 GMD) for the period 2008-2013.

“Our co-operation will always remain coherent and complementary with the one other donor, in particular that bilateral co-operation with member states, the EC concentrates of issues, where we have a comparative advantage and know-how, the sector of transport being one of them,” Madam Helene said.

Speaking on behalf of the govt., the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands, Ismaila Sambou, indicated that the EU intervention in The Gambia dates back to the early 70’s. He affirmed that they funded many development projects in The Gambia during this period in such diverse areas as roads construction, education, health, fisheries, local govt. reform, and electoral process.

SoS Sambou thanked the EU Fund and supervising the civil works contracts for the Amdalai-Barra, Mandinaba- Sility road through the 9th EDF national initiative programme in the tune of 56.4 million euros, adding that similarly the 10th EDF has an indicative financial envelope of 63.2 million euros.

It is not surprising therefore that the govt. and people of The Gambia hope and pray that the already fruitful relations between The Gambia and the EU grows to high heights for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the Gambia and the EU.