Reasons for Not Constructing 5-Star Hotel for OIC Summit
By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow has on Monday told the media why his Government could not fulfil their commitment to build the Radisson Blu five-star hotel for the OIC Summit.
The hotel was going to cost One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000). The target was to have 400 standard bedrooms, 50 presidential apartments and 10 royal villas. Other aspects include meeting rooms, board rooms, a ballroom, a banquet showroom and a fitness and wellness centre.
The foundation stone for the construction of the hotel was laid by President Barrow on 23rd June 2022. The construction was supposed to take 15 months. The Hotel is still not yet constructed. President Adama Barrow was confronted with this question by Foroyaa.
President Adama Barow said they are disappointed that the hotel is not constructed because they have anticipated doing something unique and special.
In trying to explain the issues, President Barrow said they were unable to construct the 5-star hotel for the OIC Summit because of issues of documentation, the bargaining with the lawyers for the investor, benefits and resource mobilisation.
“Resource mobilisation is also not easy, but I think the hotel is going to happen,” Barrow said.
He assured the delegates that they will all have rooms in the country to stay for the Summit.
“I want to assure the Gambian people that we will complete all the projects because we have mobilised the resources 100 percent and we have signed the contract so there is no reason or doubt that these projects will not be completed,” the President said.
He maintained that the funds have been mobilised and what they have signed with the contractors is to complete the works 100 percent.
“It is just a matter of time,” Barrow said.
Radisson Blu Hotel Gambia was established under a company named IMMOGAM Hotels and Resorts which is to be jointly owned by the Government and Immoland Sarl.
In response to Foroyaa’s inquiry as to the rumour that some kings and heads of states won’t come for the event, President Barrow said the Summit is not only about the heads of states. He explained that it is for the member countries. He added that not all heads of states will be attending the Summit because they are mostly engaged.
He stated that the Summit will witness high level representation because all countries have confirmed to be part of the meeting.
”So we are expecting 57 delegations,” he said.
He said the resources mobilised for the summit is a lot and the Gambia takes 35 percent from each resource mobilised grant.
“There is a 35 percent grant that means in every 100 million Gambia has benefited free 35 million,” he said.
