BERTIL HARDING HIGHWAY EXPANSION GOES AHEAD AS FUNDING IS SECURED

Press release, OIC, Gambia

The OIC Gambia has started the bidding process for the expansion of the Bertil Harding Highway which will be turned into a dual carriage way with roundabouts and interchanges. Fund for project has already been secured.

”We are excited about this development because it means that the widening of the Bertil Harding Highway will be implemented within the expected timeframe”, says Nfally Fadera, the brand and communication manager of the OIC Gambia Secretariat.

”This time around, we are moving the process a notch higher and quicker taking time factor into account. As opposed to having a separate Design consultant and contractor, the prospective contractor or the successful bidder will provide both the design and the construction works which would make the process a lot quicker,” he said.

Fadera revealed that to ensure timely implementation, the project will be undertaken as a design and build contract (FIDIC EPC/turnkey).

“The adopted so-called turnkey model is an advanced hybrid approach, which means the successful bidder will provide both the required design and construction services and apply due diligence in carrying out detailed investigations and preparation of detailed engineering designs on which the construction shall be based.

”Despite delays caused by Covid-19, the secretariat remains on track in delivering all priority projects in a timely fashion”, Mr Fadera added.

The design and construction contract is expected to be completed within a period of 24 months split into two phases of 14 and 10 months respectively.

The funding partners for the project include Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea), OPEC Fund for International Development (Opec Fund), and Abu-Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)

Source: The Standard, Gambia