FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Abdoulie G. Dibba
13 July 2009
Members of the National Assembly on Thursday 9th July ratified a loan agreement between the Republic of the Gambia and the OPEC Fund for International Development for the Banjul Airport Rehabilitation Project Phase II.
In tabling the loan agreement, the Hon. Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Abdou Kolley indicated that the National Assembly would recall the just concluded sitting in which several loan agreements were ratified, including one for the Airport Rehabilitation Project Phase II.
Hon. Kolley said in that sitting the Assembly was informed that efforts were been intensified to secure the remaining part of the fund to complete the required fund for the financing of the airport rehabilitation project. He said that one of the reason why they were at the Assembly was to ratify the loan agreement between the Republic of the Gambia and the OPEC Fund for International Development for the execution of the Banjul International Airport Rehabilitation Project Phase II to the tune of US $8 million. Minister Kolley indicated that the project aims at meeting the ever increasing demand for handling passenger as well as cargo traffic and in particular, regarding the requirements for the tourism sector. He said the objectives of the project will be achieved by the implementation of the following components.
Civil works which include
1. The rehabilitation and expansion of the concrete taxi area;
2. The construction of two new corridors;
3. The construction of a new fire and rescue station;
4. The rehabilitation and expansion of the passenger arrival and departure terminals
5. The rehabilitation of the control tower and
6. The supply, installation and operation of certain related equipment
He also said the consultancy services covers the costs of consultants that will be engaged in:-
1. Preparing design and supervision activity
2. Assisting with procurement, and
3. Providing reports on the project.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs asserted that the terms and conditions of the Islamic Bank Loans are as Follows:-
1. Interest rate of 1 percent;
2. Services fees of I percent,
3. Principal repayment of over 15 years and that is 30 semi annual repayments, and
4. A grace period of 5 years.
Hon Abdou Kolley concluded by calling the National Assembly Members to consider and ratify the loan agreement .
In seconding the motion the member for Tumana Hon. Netty Baldeh indicated that the motion is a non controversial one because it is the remaining 25.2% of the agreement they just concluded ratifying in the last sitting. He said the aim of the project has been mentioned by the Hon. Minister and that he need not belabour on that. He said the only thing he had to say is to really start looking into the situation of effectiveness of loan agreement. He said the agreement indicated that "If this agreement shall not have become effective within ninety (90) days after the date of the agreement, the agreement and all obligations of the parties here under shall terminate. Hon. Badleh argued that they should avoid that.
For his part, the National Assembly Member for Wuli; West Hon. Sidia Jatta indicated that a loan has been secured to build the civil works of the airport but that he would want to suggest and re-emphasise the marketing of the Airport. He emphasized that the authority should look into the possibility of marketing the international Airport to ease the burden of passengers from the Gambia traveling all the way to Dakar to take their flights.
Sidia argued that the Banjul International Airport is modern compared to the one before but without its marketability, economically it would be useless.
On his part, the minority leader and member of Kiang West Hon. Momodou LK Sanneh indicated that the motion is non controversial but that he had observations to make.
Firstly, on the awarding of the contract. He said the contract should be awarded to contractors who can do the job and of course on time.
Secondly he said these monies are loans which would be paid back by the Gambia people, therefore he said, the monies should be utilized for the purpose for which they were taken.
Thirdly he talked about the marketability of Airport which the Member for Wuli West had mentioned. He said building an airport to international standard is one thing but marketing it internationally for people to know that the airport is one of the best in the sub-region has to be done. He concluded by calling on the line ministry and the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority to take it upon themselves to see to it that the marketing aspect of it is properly taken care off.
On his part, the majority leader and member Serrekunda East Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta said the loan agreement is non controversial and commended the minister of finance and economic affair for securing the additional loan for the financing of the airport rehabilitation project phase II.
Hon Jatta pointed out that upgrading the Banjul international airport is in itself a marketing strategy particularly when it is equipped with a better runway, parking lounge, equipment, etc. H said he would also want to re-eco what members have said about the desire to properly market. He said most of them are aware that they find it very difficult to travel outside this country and that they were told that they have one of the longest runways in Africa and the standard is now excellent. He concluded by saying with all these added inputs, it is now appropriate to strategise the marketing aspect to push forward to sell what they have.
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