By: Kebba AF Touray
President Adama Barrow has said that the Gambia Ports Authority’s (GPA) gross profit has increased to D1.199 billion.
President Barrow said this on Thursday, 27 June 2024 before members of the National Assembly while delivering his State of Nation Address 2024 (SoNA 2024), in a segment of his address on the economy.
Dilating on the Transport sector, President Barrow reported that “the Authority registered a 20.4% increment in its gross profit of one billion, one hundred and ninety-nine million Dalasi (GMD1.199 billion) in 2023, compared to nine hundred and ninety-six million, one hundred and thirty-four thousand Dalasi (GMD 996.134 Million) in 2022.” However, he said that due to high operational costs and the negative impact of the Exchange Rate on the Authority’s revenue, a marginal increase of just two percent (2%) in revenue, was recorded for the year.
“The Gambia Ports Authority for instance, recorded some collected revenue of one billion, five hundred and sixty-three million Dalasi (GMD1.563 Billion) in 2023, representing a two percent (2%) increase on the one billion, five hundred and thirty-four Million Dalasi (GMD1.534 Billion) collected in 2022,” the President said.
President Barrow informed lawmakers that inspired by the principle that roads connect people and foster prosperity, the commitment of his government to develop comprehensive transport infrastructure remains unwavering. He said under ‘our’ Recovery-Focus National Development Plan (RF-NDP), significant progress has been made in both urban and rural road development.
The Bertil Harding Highway and other feeder roads, he cited, are nearing completion, whilst the rural roads program stretching 365 km and fully funded by the national budget, is advancing smoothly.
He said: “We completed Saloum, Nianija, and Saba chSanjal roads, and by the end of 2024, we expect to complete Kiang West and Niumi-Hakalang roads, and a significant portion of the three hundred and sixty-five kilometres (365 Km) of roads nationwide.”
On water transportation, the President said they are concluding a concession contract with Albayrak Company Ltd., to further enhance port efficiency, and the contract includes the development of a new deep-sea port in Sanyang.
Apart from refurbishing the old ferries, “we have procured two new ferries and are awaiting their delivery. These initiatives will guarantee reliable and safe ferry services on the Banjul-Barra route.”
In addition, the President said his government has partnered with the private sector to upgrade the Banjul Shipyard to support the ferries as well as other craft and industrial fishing vessels. He said this will contribute to boosting skills development and job opportunities.
In the areas of aviation and maritime operations, the President highlighted that apart from undertaking comprehensive reforms to align operations with international standards and best practices, his government is investing in the country’s human capital for a viable and skilled workforce.
“In this respect, twenty-three students are currently sponsored at the Regional Maritime University in Ghana, studying various engineering fields, and all the first cohort of the students graduated with distinctions,” he told lawmakers.
He continued that the Gambia Transport Service Company has significantly improved public transport by offering safe, affordable, and reliable transportation options across the country.
