By Nelson Manneh The Gambia Ports Authority yesterday 27th April 2015 presented their annual report and financial statements at the Public Account and the Public Enterprise Committee of the National Assembly. In the opening remarks Mr Lamin L Sanyang, the Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority gave a summary of the annual report in which he noted some of the challenges they are facing and some of the achievements made during the year. According to Mr Sanyang, part of their updates on projects includes the construction of GPA access road and paving of Banjul ferry terminal. Accessing the head office in 2012 had been a problem and sand bags were being used for pedestrians to access the head office during heavy rains, he said. On the other hand the Banjul ferry terminal used to be flooded thereby making passengers and vehicles crossing difficult, he noted. He indicated that the terminal being the gateway to the capital city needed urgent attention. “In line with the above and as part of earlier plans of the authority for its basic yard extension –phase 1, contract Agreement was signed with Guangxi International Construction Company on the 19th march 2013 for the construction of the GPA Access Road and paving of Banjul ferry terminal at an initial contract cost of D11, 787, 483.49. Including additional works, the final cost was at D 15, 720, 544.39 and was successfully handed over to the Authority,”he noted. He also made note of other projects like Painting of the EFSTH, Construction of July 22nd Pavilion, Construction of the Bund road to concrete pavement etc. He said one of the problems they face now is lack of enough space to store some of their materials. The financial statement which was presented to the Public Account and Public Enterprise Committee by Mr Tamsir Sallah, the Director of finance is a summary of the Administration expenses amounting to D214, 289,000. The chairman of the Gambia Ports Authority, Mr Mustapha B Colley, said they need space to pack some of their goods and other materials. The scrutinizing of their report will continue tody 28TH April, 2015. Foroyaa will continue to give updates as it continues.]]>
