By Ndey Sowe
Gambia Agency for Management of Public Works (GAMWORKS) on Thursday concluded a six-day training programme for contractors in The Gambia.
The training was part of a project the agency was implementing dubbed ‘Rural Infrastructure Development Project’.
One of the components of the aforesaid project was to conduct capacity building training programme for the local contractors.
The objective of the training was to enhance the skills and knowledge of contractors in construction and contact management in relation to construction works’ contracts.
Gambia Architect and Planning Consultants (GAP) took the contractors through the sixth day training, held on Thursday, 17th December, 2020, at NaNA Office in Kanifing.
Ebrima Cham, GAMWORKS Director General, thanked the contractors for taking time despite their busy schedule to participate in the training.
“As contractors time is money,” he said. “We hope to have the opportunity of this kind of training in the future.”
Cham said it was very important to have such kind of training, adding he was confident the contractors have learned a lot and he urged the funders to do more of this kind.
Director Cham also said the contribution of construction industry to national development is important.
“We should think about on how we can recognize construction forums in the Gambia,” he said.
Ousainou Allen, a participant and the Secretary of Gambia Association of Construction Contractors (GACCON), said the training was long overdue because construction is necessary every trade.
Allen said most of the building construction and road works in The Gambia are being executed by Gambians, and that he was happy that most of the trainees were Gambians.
“I therefore urge all when pricing to make sure we price competitively but we also launch an appeal to the clients and regulators to make sure that they look out for the interest of the Gambians”, he said.
Allen called for support in terms of equipment as well as help them partner with external companies coming into The Gambia.
This, he believed, would boost their technical knowhow as well as financially.
Ya Fatou Faye, a participant from JAL’S Construction, said she has learned a lot about construction, building rates, and how to respect a contract.
“The training will help me a lot because it will enable me to be more professional,” she said.
Joseph Sarre, Principal for Gambia Architect and Planning Consultants (GAP), who was one of the trainees, said it was important for him to use his experience and expertise to share among other people that work in the same industry.
He therefore advised the trainees to share the information that they have learned, noting construction is not one man’s band. He also said hopeful more training opportunity will arise, so that the standard of construction in The Gambia improves.
