By Sailu Bah
The First Secretary of the Senegalese High Commission in The Gambia
has confirmed reports that Senegal plans to build a railroad linking the capital, Dakar, in the north, to Ziguinchorr, in the southern part of the country.In an interview at her office yesterday, 5 March 2015, Madame Dieynaba
Toure said President Macky Sall announced this railroad project as
part of the government’s plans to facilitate and increase trade
between the north and south for the development and growth of Senegal.
It was reported that the Senegalese President has pledged 500 Million
US Dollars to build a railway from the north through the mining region
of Tambacounda in the east, to Ziguinchorr, while on a visit to
Casamance in the southern part of Senegal.
Reports has it that the Senegalese President underscored the
importance of this railway project which he described as a means to
link the northern, southern, western and eastern regions, while also
helping trade with the sub-region as well as the exploitation of the
mineral assets.
The First Secretary said this visit of President Sall is part of a
tour to the 14 regions of the country to enable him to discuss with
the people to know their concerns and further unveil and inaugurate
projects. She said this is the president’s fifth visit to the region
since assuming the presidency in 2012.
Madam Toure, added “President Sall has also commissioned 2 ships
that will be plying Dakar and Ziguinchorr and has pledged to help
farmers with access to good roads and markets for their produce.”
This development followed the laying of the foundation stone for the
construction of a bridge at the trans-Gambia crossing by the Gambian
Vice President, Isatou Njie Saidy, and the Senegalese Prime Minister,
Muhamed Boune Abdallahi Dione, who was invited to grace the Gambia’s
50 Years of nationhood.]]>
