By Makutu Manneh
On Friday January 31st 2020, the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) commissioned eight tractor trailers for handling the operation and transportation of containers at the ports, worth D51million.
According to GPA officials, the tractor trailers were purchased from Kalmar West Africa which offers a wide range of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centers and industries be it new, refurbished or used equipment.
Ousainou Jobe Acting Director of Technical Services said the tractor trailers will assure that the ports realize the challenges it faces and play its vital role in the communities.
“Gambia Ports Authority is the only port in the country. Demands are very high and the GPA is doing its best to render better services to customers,” he said. He called on Gambians especially the Port community to know that GPA is for Gambians and only Gambians can make it a better place. Jobe goes on to indicate that the port can only function well with the right and necessary equipment and infrastructure; that annually the GPA has budgets for equipment and infrastructure and that the commissioning of the trailers is part of this budget that the tractor trailers were purchased from.
GPA Deputy Director of Technical Services Anthony Kujabie said the machines are expensive equipment; that they will surely abide by the manufacturers recommendations to make sure that the trailers serve a long period.
GPA Deputy Director of Traffic Operation and Logistics Lamin Touray assured GPA’s customers that they are ready to face all challenges for the growth in Port traffic. He commended the management of GPA for responding to their operational needs and said this shows the GPA management’s commitment to the welfare of both workers and customers and that they expect more machines in June 2020.
