Gambia: President Barrow challenges education ministry over project delays

Haddy Jatou Sey, has led a delegation from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), to brief Gambian President, Adama Barrow, and top officials on progress with crucial education projects funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).

The Presidential Delivery Forum, convened on Wednesday, 17th April 2024, brought to light critical updates and challenges facing education infrastructure development in The Gambia.

The primary focus of the session was on a significant initiative backed by the KFAED, targeting the construction of 27 upper and senior secondary schools across six regions. MoBSE also highlighted its collaboration with the MRC Holland Foundation, emphasizing advancements in infrastructural development, classroom furnishing, and sanitation facilities. Notably, nine out of eleven designated schools under this partnership have been successfully completed.

President Barrow, however, voiced discontentment regarding the limited scope of information presented, urging MoBSE to comprehensively cover ongoing projects aligning with the Government’s broader Education Sector Strategic Plan.

He lauded the MRC Holland Foundation for its consistent support since 2017, emphasizing their pivotal role in enhancing education infrastructure.

Despite acknowledging the challenges at hand, President Barrow expressed disappointment with the implementation rate of school construction and repair projects managed by General Procurement Services (GPS), citing a less than satisfactory completion rate of below 50%. In contrast, he praised Gigo Construction for surpassing expectations by achieving over 70% completion in Lot 3 of their contracted works, underscoring their reliability and efficiency in project delivery.

In response to these concerns, Permanent Secretary Dr. Ebrima Sisawo assured the forum of an upcoming comprehensive update that would facilitate informed decision-making in the next scheduled meeting within a week. The engagement underscored the Government’s commitment to advancing education infrastructure and highlighted the necessity for streamlined project execution to meet national development objectives.