By: Fatou Krubally
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, has informed the National Assembly that government will terminate a controversial contract for the construction of several eco-lodges across the country after the project failed to deliver despite millions of dalasis already paid to the contractor.
The minister made the disclosure while responding to questions from lawmakers regarding the status of eco-lodge projects, including the Mungo Park eco-lodge in Sami.
According to Jobe, the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) in 2020 contracted LERF Group to construct five eco-lodges at various locations, including Barra, Kunkiling, Sutukoba, Sambukowe, Nyanga, Banteng and Arafat. The contract was valued at over D111 million with completion expected by September 2021.
He told lawmakers that the payment structure included a 40 percent advance, amounting to more than D38 million, which was paid in April 2020. Subsequent addendums later increased the contract sum to over D118 million.
However, the minister revealed that despite about 61 percent of the contract value being paid, none of the eco-lodges had been completed and construction never even started at Nyanga, Banteng and Arafat.
“After my appointment, I directed the GTBoard to submit a full report on the matter,” Jobe said.
An independent assessment conducted by GAMWORKS found serious problems with the projects.
The Barra eco-lodge was only 44.4 percent complete and built on a waterlogged site, while Kunkiling was 30.95 percent complete with substandard work.
The Sutuma Samakoi facility was destroyed by a forest fire, and three other sites had no construction at all.
GAMWORKS estimated that completing the outstanding works would now cost about D157 million at 2025 prices.
The minister further disclosed that legal advice from the Ministry of Justice concluded that the contract was fundamentally flawed and did not comply with the Gambia Public Procurement Act.
Cabinet has since approved the termination of the contract and instructed GTBoard, under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice, to initiate legal proceedings against the contractor to recover public funds and damages.
Meanwhile, Jobe also updated lawmakers on the Mungo Park project in Sami, stating that about 90 percent of the works have been completed, including the perimeter fence, toilets and solar installations.
However, he acknowledged that the project has suffered delays and that the quality of some works is below expectation.
Government has now adopted a policy that construction projects of this nature will be managed through GAMWORKS to ensure stronger supervision and contract management.