Members of the National Assembly on Tuesday, 22 February, 2022 ratified two loan agreements for the widening of Bertil Harding Highway. They, however, stressed the need to ensure effective monitoring during the execution of project, so as to guarantee value for money (worth the money spent on it.)
The lawmakers were speaking on the loan agreements between The Gambia and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), to the tune of US$14 million, and US$20 million, respectively.
In his contribution on the motion before them, Hon. Saikou Marong of Latrikunda Sabijie Constituency, called for clarity on the need for such loans, pointing out that the said road is captured under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (road projects) and that works have already commenced for the expansion of the Bertil Harding Highway.
At that juncture, he said: I would like the Minister to inform this Assembly whether there is any payment plan to generate revenue to finance the said loans, which are designed for the said widening of the Bertil Harding Highway.
For his part, the NAM for Jokadu, Hon. Salifu Jawo declared his support for the two agreements, reasoning it would ease traffic congestion. Notwithstanding his support, Jawo called for the judicious monitoring of the implementation of the project, once the loan agreements are ratified, to ensure a quality and durable road.
Member for Nianija, Hon. Amadou Camara, reiterated the need to ensure that the road is of quality, and durable. He believes the widening of the Bertil Harding Highway would help in addressing the traffic congestion. However, the lawmaker posited the need to devise a revenue generating avenue, with the objective of helping in the payment of the said loans.
In the view of the National Assembly Member for Old Yundum, Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, the widening of the road “will guarantee smooth traffic flow” which, he maintained, is in the interest of the citizenry, especially his constituency; hence his support for the loan agreements.
“Once ratified, there should be need to ensure that the value for money is demonstrated in the implementation of the road construction.The construction of the road will improve lives and livelihoods of the people, especially in Old Yundum,” Hon. Ceesay argued. He also want them to ensure a quality road, that would last for years, without needing maintenance, is constructed.
Lower Niumi NAM Hon. Matarr Jeng, had this to tell his colleagues: “I am concerned with the loans [being] taken by the government. This is because the factors, for which the loans are taken, are not seen. This amounts to betrayal of trust.” He opined the loan agreements should have come earlier, while also faulting the bringing of the loans at the time when the life of the current legislature draws to an end, and that works are ongoing on the targeted road.
The House’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Momodou LK Sanneh held the ‘construction and widening of Bertil Harding Highway will address the problems of traffic congestion”, but wondered “what is the reason for taking such loans for the purpose of widening Bertil Harding Highway, because most of the OIC related roads, such as the Bertil Harding Highway, are covered under the OIC (project).
Member for Foni Brefet, Hon. Sunkary Badjie was in support of the loan agreements, but wanted clarifications as to whether there would be direct contribution to pay the payment.
Hon. Ousman Sillah, Member for Banjul North, claimed that the sum of D77 million (from his calculation) would be spent on every kilometer of the road, so, he therefore, stressed the need to ensure a quality and durability is constructed to ensure real ‘value for money’.
Hon. Alagie S. Darboe for Brikama North, pointed out that works have commenced on the area, and he therefore asked Finance Minister to state clearly whether the sums of money for the loan agreements is involved or otherwise.
Earlier tabling the two loan agreements totaling US$34 million for consideration and ratification, Minister Njie informed the Assembly the loan agreements are between The Gambia and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)-US$14 million– and between The Gambia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)- US$20 Million, respectively.
He disclosed the IsDB loan project will be financed through a loan agreement of US$14 million and has a grant element of 40.72 percent. “Additionally, it has 25 years maturity. It also has a grace period of seven (7) years. The interest attached to this is 1.18 percent per annum. When completed, the highway will improve economic activities within the West Coast Region and its surroundings,” the minister explained. It will also link the region to the capital city and other parts of the country, Njie added. He explained that in the BADEA Bertil Harding Highway widening Project, the concessional loan in this agreement amounts to US$20 Million.
“The interest rate associated to this loan, is 1.5 percent per annum. It has a grace period of 5 years, with a maturity of 25 years. The grant element of this loan is 35.46 percent”, he informed NAMs. When completed, the Bertil Harding Highway will become a triple carriage way and will have two overpasses, according to him.
The projects would reduce travel times, road accidents and emissions of CO2, contribute to economic development of the local communities, among other benefits.
After a daylong debate on the two loan agreements, the National Assembly Members finally ratified them, reasoning inter alia, it would help address the problems of traffic congestion.
