By Amadou Manjang
The University of The Gambia Faraba Banta Campus, LOT. 1 is ready to be inaugurated after being under construction for nearly a decade.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, the inauguration is slated for 2nd March, 2024.
The University of The Gambia was established in 1999 by an Act of the National Assembly of the Gambia.
The project of Faraba Banta campus began in 2012. The consulting procedures started in 2013 and in 2016, the Shapooji Construction Company was contracted to begin construction.
The construction started in early 2017 and it was expected to be completed in October, 2019. However, the target was not met. Lectures began in the campus in September of 2023 whilst the campus is still under construction.
Prior to moving to Faraba, the University has been grappling with insufficient classrooms and furniture for its students. The university relied on rented venues.
The new campus comprises the School of ICT, School of Business and Public Administration, School of Education, School of Arts and Sciences, and Library, besides, Step-Down Electrical Substation, and Water Treatment Plant & Waste-Water Treatment Plant.
The inauguration of the new campus would be graced by the President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, CEOs, and Boards of Directors of the co-financiers of the Project from IsDB, Kuwaiti Fund, BADEA, Saudi Fund, and OFID.
Cabinet Ministers, National Assembly Members, Governors, the Diplomatic Community, the UTG Community, the residents of Kombo East, and other stakeholders and well-wishers from The Gambia and beyond are also expected to grace the occasion.
Meanwhile, the construction of Lot 2 which should comprise a seven storey Chancery building; the School of Agriculture and Environmental Science and the Faculty of Law, School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, and road networks are expected to complete in 2027.
