Banjul, The Gambia – Ousman Jobarteh, Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), has defended the transparency of the Banjul Ports Expansion Project, addressing criticism regarding the project's awarding process and agreements with Albayrak, a Turkish company. Jobarteh emphasized that the $20.56 million initiative adhered to rigorous bidding protocols and met international standards.
In an interview with The Standard, Jobarteh detailed the competitive bidding process. “The Ports Expansion Project was launched through an international bidding process,” he explained. “This included submissions from nine international port operators and one local company, evaluated according to established protocols.” He highlighted that three companies—Red Sea Gateway Terminal of Saudi Arabia, Yilport of Turkey, and Albayrak—were shortlisted after a thorough assessment, with Albayrak ultimately chosen based on its strategic proposal addressing Banjul's needs and future deep seaport plans.
The MD also assured that legal due diligence was carried out through Mia Browne, a UK-based legal firm, reinforcing the project’s transparency and alignment with GPA’s guidelines.
Jobarteh underscored the economic impact, stating, “The Banjul Ports Project is crucial for The Gambia’s economy, aimed at enhancing the port’s capacity and efficiency. The expansion will position The Gambia as a competitive transit hub in West Africa, facilitating increased cargo handling and reducing sea freight costs.”
The project includes extending the pier, expanding the container terminal, and developing logistics platforms to boost The Gambia’s regional trade competitiveness. Jobarteh also emphasized job security, assuring that all current port staff will retain their positions and that new jobs will be created with the new infrastructure.
This article builds on an original report by Omar Bah, providing further insights into the ongoing discussions around the project's transparency and long-term benefits for The Gambia.
