President Adama Barrow of The Gambia has pledged his support for ECOWAS’ proposed Banjul-Barra Bridge initiative, describing it as a critical infrastructure that would engender massive development in the subregion.
Barrow stated this when he received ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Sediko Douka, who led a high-level delegation to him in Banjul, on a courtesy visit.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by ECOWAS Spokesperson, Joel Ahofodji, the president said that the project aligned with his administration’s development agenda.
He said that it would reduce travel time between the north and south banks of The Gambia, improve agricultural supply chains, facilitate regional integration, and improve national security and accessibility.
“This project is long overdue and vital for our national and regional development.
“It will significantly enhance trade between The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau.
“It will also unlock economic opportunities for local communities, particularly small-scale farmers and women traders,” the President said.
Barrow further added that the initiative was a milestone project that would facilitate for cross-border mobility and trade in the region.
Speaking earlier, Douka said that the project was strategically important in enhancing regional connectivity, boosting intra-ECOWAS trade, and contributing to the socio-economic development of The Gambia and its neighbors.
The commissioner also briefed the President on the planned unveiling of its Feasibility and Preliminary Design Study, as well as the accompanying 11-kilometre access road.
He explained that the bridge project was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional integration and improve cross-border infrastructure and connectivity, adding that ECOWAS had reached advanced consultation level on it.
Douka, accompanied by ECOWAS President’s Chief of Staff, Abdou Kolley, also held a strategic meeting with The Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Ebraima Sillah, and members of the country’s technical team.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Banjul-Barra Bridge Project is a flagship infrastructure initiative under the ECOWAS regional integration framework.
It is aimed at strengthening ECOWAS’ physical integration and economic development by way of a transformative development for The Gambia and the entire subregion.(NAN)
