GamWorks on Thursday 2 September 2021, signed a contract with the ministry of health for the construction of five (5) health centers across the country. The signing ceremony was held at the GamWork premises in Kanifing.

The event was witnessed by representatives from the ministry of health, senior officials at GamWorks, and contractors. The project is expected to last for six (6) months and it cost one hundred and eighty-seven (D187m) million dalasi according to their statistics. The project, if completed, will strengthen the health system in the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lamin Dampha, the permanent secretary at the ministry of health said they are working tirelessly to ensure that all Gambians and residents have access to quality health services.

Mr Dampha said access to quality health care delivery should be every citizen’s business and it required collective responsibility. He said health is a key because people cannot live without getting sick. “We expect the contractors to complete the work on  time. We are also embarking on massive renovation to all the health centers across the country,” he said.

He said the ministry has been working on the project since last year.The five health centers will be constructed within five different communities.

Ebrima Cham, Advisor to the director general of GamWorks, assured the ministry of health that the project will be completed on time. He said they are optimistic that the contractors will deliver quality work.

“GamWorks is responsible for the whole procurement of the process, contract management and the implementation of the whole project,” he said.

He said the health centers will have a huge impact in the communities that they are constructed adding that it will make access to healthcare services easier.

“We expect that the contractors will finish the work on time,” he said. He added that the project is very important because health is a key, he noted.

Cham assured the PS that all the necessary resources will be deployed by GamWorks in terms of supervision of the project. Cham gave details of the project adding that it consists of Maternity and Administration wards, Out-patient block, Senior and Junior Staff Quarters, kitchen and Laundry, Generator room, Elevated concrete water tank, Solar Borehole, Pedestrian payment and Perimeter fencing.

Slot 1 (Salikeni NBR), Tanzil Company D36, 574,905.00, Slot 2 (Jali Kiang West LRR), Bafaad Enterprise D39,063, 350.00, Slot 3 (Mankaman Kunda URR) We Khan Construction D 40,378,910.50, Slot 4 (Kissima Jaw NBR), Gambel Construction D37,585,755.00 and Slot 5 (Shareh Juldeh Tumana District), GACH Construction D33,389,61.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Farba O Sillah of Bafaad Enterprise assured that the contract will be completed on time. He expressed delight to GamWorks for entrusting them. “We are not the only construction companies in the country but they trust us and give us the task,” he said.

Mr Sillah added that the project will also create more employment opportunities for the youth and he called on the youth to use the opportunity to work hard. However, he said it is sad that most of The Gambian youth will not like to work in the construction communities. “You will find it difficult to get the youth to work,” he said.

 

 By Dawda Baldeh