By: Kebba AF Touray
The Local Government Committee of the National Assembly has yesterday conducted a fact finding visit to the Kanifing Municipal Council and its development project sites.
The committee visited some of the projects implemented by the council, among them the Latrikunda Sabiji market, Latrikunda- Wellingara road and the Rural Infrastructural Development Project (RIDP) expansion building at the Bundung Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital.
The visit kicked off with a scrutiny of project documents at the council to ascertain the meetings, financial expenses and projects implemented by the council in response the council’s account during their engagement with the committee on Wednesday 23rdOctober 2019.
During a site visit to the KMC Town Hall Complex, the Director of Planning and development at KMC, Nyima Camara, told the committee that the construction of the Council’s town hall complex is a 10 month contract and comprises offices for the council.
Mr. Darboe, the contractor of the Appropriate Technology Construction (ATC) Company stated that the project of the council’s town hall is in the tune of D23 million, adding that the contract has suffered delay due to the late start of the contract coupled with rains that have caused the collapse of the 3.25 metre wide by 2 metre deep foundation pit which they dug for the complex and it has taken them 3 months to fix the damage.
He told the committee that they meet every fortnight to assess progress and challenges regarding the construction with a view to ensuring that the complex is complete without further delay.
Kebab Manneh, CEO of Bundung Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital, indicated that the RIDP Expansion complex is meant to encourage the use of public facilities in their health service delivery system. The project is funded by the IDB and that KMC is the beneficiary.
Speaking earlier Musa Amul Nyass, Chairperson of the Committee, told KMC that the visit is to obtain first- hand information regarding the implementation of the projects of the council. He said as partners, they need to join hands together and make concerted efforts, so that development aspirations can be met.
He informed the council that the committee will prepare a report after the visit and present it at the plenary and once adopted, it will become a public document so that the people will know what really prevails at the councils.
