Mansakonko Area Council (MAC) earlier today convened a stakeholders meeting on the creation of special Economic Zone, to be bankrolled by African Development Bank (ADB), European Union (EU), AUDA and NEPAD, respectively.
The Chairman of the Council, Mr. Landing B. Sanneh, said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss key issues regarding the creation of the proposed special Economic zone to be financed by the above-mentioned donor’s partners. Chairman Sanneh noted that Soma stands at a strategic location with roads linking to the sub-region, and that business could easily grow/develop in the area.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MAC, Mr. Pa Sait Ceesay, posited that the Council Development Coordinating Committee should work together towards the successful implementation of the said project. He disclosed that the project would include town planning and traffic control.
The CEO underlined that their Council would not compromise with developments in the Region, and he revealed that one stop-border post would be created for both The Gambia and Senegal in order to avoid delays.
Mr. Omar Saidykhan of National Road Authority (NRA) Mansakonko, said LRR is blessed, and held that with time, “Soma will be the main business center in the Gambia and around the sub-region”.
According to Saidykhan, the corridor project entails many opportunities towards the development of the region. He further said construction of feeder roads is also part of the project within the LRR.
The Chief of Jarra West, Alhajie Yaya Jarjusey is optimistic that the creation of economic Zone in Soma would reduce the rural-urban migration and also create job opportunities for the people of their region.
