ACE Submarine Cable Project – Reports ready.

The Government of the Gambia (GoTG) has been given a Project Preparation Advance (PPA) from the World Bank (WB) to participate in the West African Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP). The WARCIP is aimed at partly financing the participation of the Gambia in the Africa Coast to Europe Connectivity Project.

Under the ACE Connectivity project a lateral submarine cable will be laid to connect to the ACE submarine cable which will be laid off the coast of the Gambia in international waters. In addition, a landing station will be constructed. While the landing station will be located in the Brusibi Institutional area, the shore end cable will come out at Bijilo beach near the Lemon Creek Hotel, and this is where the Beach Man Hole (BMH) will be situated.

The World Bank (WB) OP 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement stipulates that for projects affecting less than 200 people, an Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP) is prepared and for over 200 affected persons, a full Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) should be prepared.

This Resettlement Plan is prepared to assist in the management of the few resettlement issues which have been identified, even though these may seem to be of minor significance.

Click here to download >>> Draft Final Report of the ACE Project Resettlement Plan.

Another Draft Report that was completed is the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)/ Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The purpose of ESIA/ESMP is to provide guidance to the submarine cable-laying and construction contractors, and to the operators of the facilities, on the measures and actions to be taken during the implementation and operation of the facilities to eliminate, mitigate, or offset siginficant adverse environmental  and social impacts, or to reduce them to acceptable levels.  

Click here to download >>> Draft Report of the ACE Project ESIA/ESMP.

Banjul and Nouakchott Expand Cooperation as President Abdel Aziz Ends Visit

By Abdou Njie, GRTS

The Governments of The Gambia and Mauritania undertake to strengthen existing ties between Nouakchott and Banjul.

 This was contained in a document issued by the two leaders a day before H.E. Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania ends a four day state visit to The Gambia. The statement read over a luncheon at Sindola Hotel in Kanilai on Wednesday, indicated the two leaders' resolve to work jointly towards the implementation of the bilateral agreement reached in Banjul, which among other things seeks to foster cooperation in some key sectors:

Mauritanian President on State visit to The Gambia

By Alagie Ceesay

The Mauritanian President, His Excellency Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz on Monday arrived in The Gambia for a 4-day state visit.

President Ould Abdel Aziz, with a high powered delegation, was received at the foot of the aircraft by his Gambian counterpart Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh, Cabinet members and members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corp. This is President Aziz's first visit since assuming power in August 2009.

A guard of honour was mounted for the visiting head of state by the Gambia Armed Forces.

President Jammeh meets late Patrice Lumumba's son

By Abdou Njie, GRTS

One of the sons of the late Patrice Lumumba, a great Pan Africanist from the Republic of Congo Kinshasa, Roland Lumumba, on Friday paid a courtesy call on the President, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh at State House.

Shortly after meeting with the Gambian leader, Mr Lumumba told journalists that he heard a lot about President Jammeh's Pan- Africanism, noting that this is the time Pan-Africanists have to be together in order to make Africa unite. He lamented the fact that Africa is the only continent that is not united; giving contrasted examples of Europe, Asia and the Americas. He said there is need for an initiative to be taken to effect changes. This he said is one of the reasons that motivated him to meet with the President.

President Jammeh calls for discipline in the Army - As he presides over passing out of intake 31

By Cheron A Jallow

The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya A J J Jammeh has called on personnel of The Gambia Armed Forces to be discipline at all times and to lend a hand to any citizen that requires help.

The Gambian leader was speaking yesterday at the July 22nd Square, while presiding over the passing out parade of intake 31 A and B of The Gambia Armed Forces, comprising 540 soldiers.

President Jammeh told the newcomers that they have chosen a noble profession; a profession that only the Almighty Allah can reward, because no government in the world would be able to pay soldiers for their true work. He said soldiers are the category of citizens of any nation who sacrifice their lives for others to sleep and live in peace. “This is a noble uniform that installs confidence and trust in the civil population, and any community you go to as a soldier, you should install confidence and trust and a sense of discipline in you”, President Jammeh emphasized.