By: Yunus. S. Saliu
The Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure (MoTWI) Honourable Ebrima Sillah, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering first-class road infrastructure in rural Gambia as he continued his periodic nationwide inspection tour of ongoing road construction projects.
On the third and fourth days of the tour, Minister Sillah and his team visited key sites under the EPC Lot 1 and Lot 3 projects, assessing progress and engaging local communities.
Day 3: Monitoring Progress in URR
The Minister’s delegation on Day 3 toured several roads under the EPC Lot 1 package, covering a total of 69km. These include the Basse Manneh Kunda – Demba Kunda – Gambisara Road, Basse – Dampha Kunda – Tambasansang Road, Chamoi – Dampha Kunda Road, Angalfuta Road (reinforced concrete pavement), and Manneh Kunda Road, among others. The 27km Sutukoba – Chamoi Bunda Road was also visited.
Day 4: A Historic Transformation in Kiang and Jarra
On Day 4, attention shifted to the Lot 3 Kiang Kabada Road Project in the Lower River Region (LRR). The project spans approximately 101 kilometers and covers key locations including Kwinella, Wellingara, Tabanani, Madina, Nioro, Sare Sajo, Njolfe Njolfen, Toranka Bantang, and Kolior Sulah, with road lengths ranging from 3.8km to over 8km in various segments (and more, see work in progress below).
Speaking to members of press corps accompanied him on tour at Medina Kaiaf, Minister Sillah highlighted the historic nature of the developments.
“This is the first time since independence that proper, tarmacked roads are being constructed across the Kabadas. These roads, when completed, will also be equipped with solar streetlights, bringing modern infrastructure to long-neglected farming communities,” he said.
He emphasized the economic and social significance of the roads, noting they would drastically improve mobility and access for farmers and residents who have been isolated due to poor road conditions for decades.
Minister Sillah revealed that initial plans were to construct the road through Medina Kaiaf community but due to community resistance it was diverted from routing the road through the village. However, villagers later reversed their stance, requesting the road be routed through their settlement at their own cost when they discovered the importance of it.
But to accept their U-turn decision for future reference, “They brought us a fully signed, notarized document, which individual signed with copies of their ID Card, showing community consensus. While a few individuals initially resisted, they later demolished their own structures to make way,” he noted.
Once again, Minister Sillah thanked the Alkalo and village elders of Medina Kaiaf for their cooperation and urged all communities to support the contractors.
“These roads are for you, for your development and for future generations,” he told residents.
With rural infrastructure finally receiving the attention it has long lacked, residents across the regions can now look forward to improved connectivity, economic upliftment, and safer transport.
Meanwhile, Mass Faye, Resident Engineer with GAMECS, commended the ministry and the National Roads Authority (NRA) for their support. He explained that previously disconnected communities are already experiencing benefits from the partially completed roads.
“What used to take an entire day now takes under an hour. Though unfinished, the roads are already being used,” Faye said. “The contractor is working two shifts daily and aims to finish the four-year project ahead of schedule.”
He noted that critical drainage infrastructure will be tackled during the rainy season, ensuring that water is properly channeled and roadworks can continue despite the weather.
Mr. Ly, a representative of the Chinese firm Long Jin Construction undertaking Lot 3, echoed this commitment.
“This is a very important project for the region. After the rainy season, we aim to complete up to 80% of cement stabilization and significant surface work before year’s end. We are proud to be part of this national transformation,” he stated.
Progress of Work on Day Three Visit In Brief
EPC Lot 1: – Construction of Nationwide Roads DB Projects Lot 1 – 69Km
The project activities commence on 9 project roads out of the total 15 roads. The current progress of the project is 30%. Brief descriptions of the progress made on the various roads are below.
Basse Manneh Kunda – Demba Kunda – Gambisara Road – Road Length – 12.18Km, earthworks – completed, except for access junctions, culverts – 100%, subbase – completed, except for access junctions, base – completed, except for access junctions, concrete Road Pavement – 52% competed, bituminous surface dressing – not started. Progress – 62%.
Basse – Dampha Kunda – Tambasansang Road, road length – 9.20Km, earthworks – 70% completed, culverts: – 25% completed, subbase: – 54% completed, base: – 30% completed, bituminous surface dressing – not started, – concrete road pavement – not started. Progress: – 33%
Chamoi – Dampha Kunda Road, road length: 2.66Km, earthworks – 95% completed, culverts: – 100% completed, subbase: – 100% completed, base: – 64% completed, bituminous surface dressing: – Not started. Progress: – 43%. Angalfuta Road – reinforced concrete pavement, road length: – 1.75Km, earthworks: – 95% completed,subbase: – 95% completed, concrete road Pavement: – 95% complete, progress: – 94%
Manneh Kunda Road – Reinforced Concrete Pavement, road length: – 1.68Km, earthworks: – 52% completed, subbase: – 50% completed, concrete road pavement: – 47% completed, Progress – 47%.
Brikamaba – Boiram – Njoben Road, road length: – 6.32Km, earthworks: – 40% completed, culverts: – Not started, subbase: – Not started, base: – not started, bituminous surface dressing: – not started. Progress: – 16%.
Sutukoba – Chamoi Bunda Road, 27km, site clearing and roadbed preparation – 25%, sub-grade layer -20%. Progress: 14%.
Progress of Work on Day Four Visit In Brief
The Lot 3 Kiang Kabada Road Project in LRR. The 102km project is contracted to Long Jin Construction (a Chinese company), and GAMECS, a Gambian company, are the Consultant.
This project constitutes part of the Kabada Loop transport link to the Trans-Gambia Highway and it is fully funded by the Government of The Gambia.
The project consists of the construction of twelve (12) roads approximately 102 km in total length.
Section 1 links Kwinella – Wellingara – Tabanani – Madina – Nioro – Sare Sajo – Njolfe Alignment (18.880km). Section 2 links Njolfen – Toranka Bantang – Kolior Sulah (5.728km). Section 3 connects Gambia Border-Sare Sajo- Jatta Kunda- Nemakuta (8.545km). Section 4 starts from Nioro – Sibito – Sare Suna – Kudong Fula Kunda (7.336km). Section 5 links the Sibito-Gambia Border (3.8km). Section 6 connects Njolfen – Madina – Sare Samba – Daru Salam (9.882km). Section 7 starts from the Sare Sajo-Sibito-Trans Gambia Highway (11.010km). Section 8 links Sare Sajo-Sare Ndalla-Toranka Bantang-Sare Pateh-Yoro Jula (6.296km). Section 9 links the Daru Salam-Sare Musa-Trans Gambia Highway (10.123km). Section 10 connects Medina-Kaif (5.221km). Section 11 links Kaiaf-Munkutalla-Medina (5.711km). Section 12 starts from Daru Salam-Kohel-Fonkoi Kunda-Jarra Soma-SBTR-Trans Gambia (9.570km)
The contractor is currently working on all twelve roads, and all roads are on base level following the completion of the earthworks. The current overall progress is at 49.5%.
