President Yahya Jammeh inspects progress on road constructions at Churchill’s Town, Buffer Zone, New Yundum, Mandina, and Brikama.
Nov 28,2006 00:00
by
Anna
President Yahya Jammeh has inspected progress on road constructions at Churchill’s Town, Buffer Zone, New Yundum, Mandina, and Brikama.The inspection came barely, two months after he took charge of the Department of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructural Development.
At the Churchill’s Town roundabout, President Jammeh faulted the construction work and demonstrated how it’s prone to accidents. The Gambian leader also complained about the drainage system.
After the pinpoint of areas for improvement, Muhammed Zioui, Consultant for the West Field Mandinaba Road Project noted President Jammeh’s suggestions and then agreed to make the necessary adjustments.
From Churchill's Town, President Jammeh also inspected works at the Buffer Zone, where he faulted the standard of workmanship there. He suggested to the consultants to increase the road size to create more space for motorists. Instead of a curved shape, President Jammeh said, the contractor should have made a V-shape to avoid vehicles hitting the sides. He also criticised the footpath as “crooked and must be redone”.
President Jammeh urged the consultants to ensure efficient work, adding that the government has spent a lot of money on the project.
The coastal road at the New Yundum intersection was also on President’s itinerary. This highway is reported to have recorded several accidents during the course of the year.
President Jammeh explained to the consultants how vehicles, especially trucks slip over and cause accidents, due to the nature of the design. He then spilled water on the road to elaborate his point.
About the streetlights, President Jammeh told the consultants to fix the poles or refund the money. After inspecting the road, the Gambian leader took time to distribute T-shirts to the bystanders.
President Jammeh and his entourage later inspected the Mandina road, where he met officials of Kharafi Construction Company.
In Brikama, the consultant pointed out that works in Brikama are divided into zones. He said the roundabout at Kabafita is Brikama1 and the other is Brikama2.
President Jammeh said the roundabouts are prone to accidents. He then noted that it’s not a pleasure for him to be angry, saying “I am concerned about the money government spent on the project”.
He then urged the consultants to make adjustments on the intersection in order to give more room to vehicles to pass. The consultant and his team members agreed to redo the work.
President Jammeh was accompanied on the day-long inspection by Ms Ya Elizabeth Harding, Secretary-General, and officials of the Department of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructural Development.