By: Fatou Krubally
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) is set to play a more prominent role in national infrastructure development with the Defence Minister unveiling plans towards that direction.
The Ministry of Defence announced plans to strengthen the capacity of the Armed Forces Engineering Corps and collaborate with other security engineering units to handle major construction projects.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Minister of Defence Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof emphasized that the GAF Engineering Corps has consistently demonstrated technical expertise and professionalism in past projects, including road construction, school buildings, and the University of Faraba campus.
However, limitations in equipment and capacity have prevented the corps from accessing larger national projects.
“We are working to amalgamate the Armed Forces Engineering Corps with the Police Engineering Corps to leverage skills and resources,” Minister Joof explained. “Once the necessary equipment and partnerships are in place, these forces will be able to compete for national infrastructure contracts on an equal footing with private contractors.”
The minister highlighted ongoing reforms, including skills development, personnel training, and plans to introduce specialized equipment. These measures aim to ensure GAF engineers can efficiently execute large-scale projects such as roads, bridges, and public facilities while reducing public expenditure.
In addition to infrastructure development, Minister Joof updated lawmakers on the relocation of the Lance Corporal Lamin Bojang Firing Range in Brikama, citing safety concerns from increasing encroachment around the existing site.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the GAF and the Ministry of Lands, is overseeing technical and administrative processes to demarcate the new site.
Plans are also underway for the construction of a military hospital on the site of the current firing range. The facility is intended to provide quality healthcare for both armed forces personnel and surrounding communities, including residents of Brikama and Jamisa.
Minister Joof noted that both the relocation of the firing range and the hospital construction will require substantial investment, with implementation contingent on the availability of financial resources.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the GAF’s role in national development, leveraging its technical capacity to benefit both government projects and the wider public.