The announcement by President Adama Barrow that his government will build a bridge across the mouth of the River Gambia between Banjul and Barra has attracted quite a lot of debate, both for and against.
No doubt most of those in favour of the idea are the frequent users of the ferry service who are cognizant of the daily hassles they experience, including the delays and the over-crowding, and even anxious moments when the ferries experience technical problems. However, the opponents of the idea include those who see the exorbitant cost of the project as not being worth it.
There are also those who see the pronouncement as just another political gimmick that was cleverly used by Babili Mansa during his regime to hoodwink the people. We can recall his promise of constructing a railway across the length and breadth of the Gambia and also the famous CD that he said contained all the information about the discovery of petrol, giving the impression that it was just a matter of time before the Gambia became a donor nation.
While it is possible that there could be a political element to the announcement, but the very fact that President Barrow has given a timeline as to when the project would commence, means that it is much more definite than the Babili Mansa projects. He indeed aims to be the Oceanbili Mansa.
Personally, I do not see it as a bad idea, but we need to be clear first as to where that huge amount of money would come from. Apart from the frustrating experience of crossing with the ferries, with motorists having to spend sometimes days just to cross, it is also very expensive to maintain the ferries.
Therefore, no matter what the cost of the bridge may be, it will in the long run be much more cost-effective than running the ferries. Even the very fact that people and vehicles can be able to cross at any time of the day and night without having to queue or wait for the ferry, is itself quite a welcome prospect, particularly for the people of the North Bank and travelers to and from Senegal and beyond.
It is quite obvious that the Gambia will never be able to raise such an amount needed to construct such an expensive bridge, not even through loans, as no creditor will ever give that kind of loan to a poor nation like the Gambia.
In fact we are well above the acceptable threshold of incurring more loans. Therefore, the only other possible means of raising such an amount would be through an investor or group of investors willing to risk investing on it on a BOT (build, operate and transfer) basis. Which means using their money to construct the bridge and operating it, probably on a share basis with the government for a specific period during which they would recover their money and then transfer it to the government. I just cannot see any other means of raising the amount.
The thought of having breakfast in banjul, crossing the bridge driving to dakar, have lunch and return to banjul in time for dinner sounds really exciting. Forget about feasibility study and those other bureaucratic niceties, this project will break down barriers, ease the movement of goods and people, and open up trade with our neighbours. The economic and societal values far outweigh any monetary consideration. Whatever suitable method of financing the project should be left with the experts. Right now Gambians stand to benefit from it. President Barrow should be applauded for the bold initiatives.
Another to raise could by selling yahya jammeh’s plus the $10000 given to mr x; if the jegues have not already finished it.
Another way to raise funds could by selling yahya jammeh’s stolen assets plus the $10000 given to mr x; if the jegues have not already finished it.
Let me also add that the cost of a return ticket by air as now is more than D15,000.00 just for a 25-minute flight. This is ridiculous! How many ordinary Gambians can afford that? We need the bridge!
Keluntang, “cost of a return ticket by air” from where to where?I thought the bridge to be built will be from Banjul to Barra or Barra to Banjul. What does that have to do with a “cost of return ticket by air”? Is there a flight from Banjul to Barra or Barra to Banjul that takes 25 minutes that i am not aware of? It cost less than 20 dalasis and the travel time is about 30 minutes to cross from one place to the other. Is there a proposal for a bridge between Banjul and Dakar that i am not aware of? Crossing the bridge if and when it is built from Banjul to Barra or Barra to Banjul does not immediately take a person into Senegal upon crossing the bridge. If and when a bridge is built, it may save a traveler, may be, 25 minutes travel time if he or she is driving to Dakar because instead of crossing by ferry or by boat which takes about 30 minutes, crossing the bridge by car may take about 5 minutes and hence saves a traveler about 25 minutes. You must be excited about the bridge but come on. What did you have for breakfast? Very a strong “Leewal”ataya?Lol!
u forget the endless waiting times to board the ‘ship’, aren’t you.
a bridge will make every passage MUCH quicker and safer for everyone.
Samba, I had a nice mono for breakfast hoping to have a sumptuous benechin for lunch in Dakar but my journey was cut short because the only ferry plying between banjul and barra have been rescheduled to run late because of low tide. It will surprise to know that 80 percent of people using the Banjul-Barra crossing are commuting to and from Senegal. A bridge will help to cement the ties with not only Senegal but other countries within the region especially landlocked countries like Mali ,Burkina Faso and Niger.
Hey Keluntang, what makes you think Mono this late?
You may not be from Saloum as I have never heard of a Keluntang Secka or Mbye? So you’re most likely from Niamina Jareng-Dankunku, Mono Ming Naa Baalu? What do you think Mwalimu? Haha.
Andy Mono is a staple in Kiang. If Keluntang’s favorite dish is mono, i will hypothesize he is a kalama baa mono mingnaaaa.
We sold expired paint to them under the pretext that it was sour milk (noono)! All in good humor.
“…We sold expired paint to them under the pretext that it was sour milk (noono)…”
#hey…Mwalimu; I thought, that was (sold) on “somebody on BB Darboe’s sending to go get some noono for a christening….”¿
Please, don’t lynch Bajaw; this was alleged on, (from recollection) by a Badibu colleague, on another colleague of ours….
But, Kiang also (would) hit back; I recount, alleged on for Kiang too, to have sold on numerous occasions, some mbanganasso (managasso/mbahanasseh) tuba which was dried, pounded, & processed into (as) futoh to the Badibukas…¿
Should’ve Read(/been) – for all Badibu-nkas out there, Please, don’t lynch Bajaw; this was alleged on…
Thank you…
& futoh (lacherie/chereh)….
Thanks….