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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Oct 2009 : 20:31:34
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Culled from the Daily News
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Editorial:
The Need to Construct Motorable Roads is Still There
It is good news to all comutters that the Banjul /Serekunda High way will soon have a face lift. News is reaching us that this important road will be rehabilitated at a tune of 4.3 million dollars, almost twenty five years after its construction. The government of the Gambia deems it fitting that this road be rehabilitated, since its condition is going down the drain. Yes, there is no doubt that this road is a very important link and deserves the attention that is being given now. There is a saying that it is better late than never.
If there is any short coming of the government of the day, it is its failure to repair our major roads where necessary. The most important link was left to deteriorate to a level beyond repairs. This road is the Banjul/Basse trunk road otherwise called the South Bank trunk road. Well before the coming into power of the government of the day, that road was going bad. It never attracted the attention of the government until it found itself in such a deplorable state. A stitch in time saves nine.
If the right thing was done at the right time, the amount of money that is now being spent in constructing a totally new road linking Banjul and Basse would have been put into better and more urgent sectors. However, even with that construction it is now taking more than necessary time. It has already taken four years to construct, with less than twenty five percent of the works carried out. It must be borne in mind that this particular project was supposed to be completed in three years. The progress is very slow and as a result, its economic impact is being felt. Many vehicles are being seriously affected and many are sent off the road, including both private and public transports. As some vehicles that are going to the Fonis, Kiangs, Jarras, and part of the Niaminas have no other choice but to ply the south bank trunk road.
It’s not uncommon that many of our politicians speak with pride when it comes to the road network in this country, meaning we have good roads. Yes, but the question here is do we have up to fifty percent of our road network done? For genuine and realistic Gambians, the answer is no. The Gambia needs nothing less than 3000kms of a good road network. Do we have that? The road network in the is is not all about the Kombo coastal, the Barra/Laminkoto, the Barra/Amdalai and the Mandinaba/Seleti roads.
The roads linking Kundam via Kular to Perai Tenda are left out. The Basse/Sabi roads going through Kisisi, and coming round the Sanunding areas are all left out. Not to talk about areas in the Kiangs, Badibus, Nianis, and the Sandus. The Laminkot/Passamas road is already in a deplorable state. The road has mighty pot-holes which continue to destroy many vehicles.
The government of the Gambia should be commended for the Kombo Coastal roads, the Barra /Laminkoto road network but they should note that we need far more than that. And it must be noted that we have a long way to go in terms of road construction and rehabilitation. It is high time that we be conscious of the fact and priority be given where it deserves.
The creation of the National Road Authority (NRA) is most welcome and that they should be commended for the good job they did in the just-ended rainy season. It was through their interventions that many of our small roads within the Greater Banjul Area were used. They must continue their rehabilitation works as it is the only way through which such roads can serve us longer. Remember that a stitch in time saves nine.
Source: The Daily News
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2009 : 23:39:18
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Momodou,No one would argue with what has been written in The Daily news,all well and good only one thing lacking as usual, MONEY .The rehabilitation of the Banjul Serekunda highway appears sensible considering that that is most probably the road that transports the most people to and from the capital,I think thats it is generally accepted that there are more people living in Serekunda than Banjul and in order for them to travel easily to work,the State House,The Major Courts,The Hospital (RVH) then such a road should be first class.
I do have a small feeling at the back of my mind, that the rehabilitation of the road MAY well include the latest so called "traffic calming systems" designed to cut accidents caused by speeding,only one trouble such systems, invariably require vehicles to take a less direct route through deliberate placing of heavy objects in the way of traffic or bumps in the road or other such inconviences to the motorist.
End result, slow traffic, traffic jams, more pollution,more road rage,more driver anger generated through delay in reaching their destination and heavier consumption of fuel caused by constant stop start travel.Yes folks another expensive idea that is no good.Driver education and good practice is the answer to stopping accidents,not money being spent on unecessary schemes.Drivers convicted by the courts of bad driving,drink driving, driving under the influence of drugs should be disqualified from driving ANY motor vehicle,for a year if these drivers drive in the time they are disqualifed,a MANDATORY 6 months in Mile two.
Am I wrong in my thoughts, I wonder . |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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