View Full Version : The GAMBIA | Bijilo | 21st Century Gambia Project | 325,000 sqm | U/C


musiccity
October 15th, 2011, 05:44 AM
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7296/gambia2.jpg

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December 2010

The visiting officials of the companies involved in the multi-million dollar project earmarked for the Bijilo Forest and ITC area Wednesday made a power point presentation on the design of the project at the Cabinet Room. The 13-member delegation included representatives of DOOZI - the financiers of the proposed project, Qatar-Gambia International Group - the Developers and LACASA - the architectural consultants. The project will cover an area of 325,473 square meters.

In his presentation the project engineer Iyad Charchar, Executive Director LACASA said the design which depicts the country's landscape is inspired by the river Gambia. He said forest cover at the area is unique and would be jealously preserved and protected. Mr. Charchar said the project will comprise 16 towers, a model shopping mall, an international conference centre, a hotel, a recreation facility, 19 villas and 40 presidential suites and a state-of-art hospital. He said the main conference center will accommodate 1,200 people while the other three will each accommodate 500 people.

Mr. Charchar said in their bid to protect the charming nature at the site, they will use organic matter to build the hotel structures.

The Managing Director of Qatar-Gambia International Group Abdelnasir M. Khalil said up to ten thousand employment opportunities would be created during the implementation period.

The General Manager of DOOZI Madam Fatoumata Diop disclosed that funds are available and the project would be implemented once a contract is signed.

In response, President Jammeh thanked the group for the good work. He said the project will be a giant leap to make The Gambia an intra-model state and one of the best in the world.



Source (http://www.statehouse.gm/Qatar-intl-group-architects_08122010.htm)

April 2011

The President, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has on Thursday laid the Foundation Stone of a Multi-Billion Dollar Investment.

"History is being made because the quantum of funds involved in this joint venture is the biggest ever public-private investment in the entire history of this country", says President Jammeh as he lays the foundation stone of the 21st Century Gambia Project.

The multi-billion dollar project, earmarked for the Bijilo Forest Area at the former ITC complex is expected to accommodate Presidential Suites, a Hotel, Conference Centre, Shopping Mall, among a host of other modern facilities. The project upon completion will raise The Gambia's prospects of becoming a city state.

For the President, reaching this stage has been a far-fetched dream. But as he presides over the laying of the foundation stone of the project, he cast a mind backward to the dreams and their conformity to the overall drive towards an ultra- modern state. It must have come a long way, and was reinforced on his latest trip to Doha, the State of Qatar.

"The implementation of this project will no doubt go a long way towards uplifting The Gambia's Tourism sector to a new and ultra modern pedestal that would change positively our urban landscape", the President emphasized. He went on to say that the project once completed would no doubt become one of, if not, the world's most attractive and safest growing tourist destinations for all classes of tourists and visitors, including the high spending top brass tourist from all over the world.

These efforts fit well in the overall drive to rekindle the tourism sector, to enhance The Gambia's competitiveness.

The Gambian leader, shifted attention to the youth folk, challenging them to seize the employment potentials of the multi-billion dollar, which is estimated at over 10, 000 jobs.

"Pastures are being made greener by the day, and this 21st Century Gambia Project is one very bright example", he stated, in an apparent attempt to dissuade the youths of the country not to risk their lives on perilous sea journeys after having been created the conducive environment to progress.

The naming of the project as the 21st Century Gambia Project, according to Prof. Jammeh is so coined to depict its strategic economic objective.

And now having formulated the idea, he now entrust it to the Qatar-Gambia International Group for implementation. A challenge to them, because it is a project so dear to The Gambia and its leadership.

These sentiments were further supported by that of the Tourism Minister, Fatou Mas Jobe-Njie, who said the project's timing could not have been better than now. Attaining economic prosperity seemed not only to be the goal of the project that is also expected to give a much needed boost to the tourism industry and open up viable market opportunities for investment, but she too believes it will also give the sector added value under a promising climate for growth.

The project is greatly inspired by the meandering


Source (http://www.statehouse.gm/21st-Century-Gambia-Prject-Laying-foundation-stone_21042011.htm)

Information courtesy of forumer Gainde

musiccity
October 15th, 2011, 01:31 PM
This probably one of the biggest projects in West Africa outside of Nigeria!

LADEN
October 15th, 2011, 09:15 PM
Damn Gambia is doing it big.

musiccity
October 16th, 2011, 02:58 AM
^^
Lately it is, thanks to some help from Qatar. ;)

Gainde
October 30th, 2011, 10:21 PM
Thanks for posting this project. This project is part of a plan by my small country to host the OIC conference in 2017 in this same facility.

Janub
October 31st, 2011, 02:42 PM
Where are these small countries like Gambia and CAR getting funds to build these "model cities." The only one that is actually following through and building their projects and cities and showing progress is Djibouti, and they have shown time and time again where their reliable source of funding is from (Gulf States).

I've been hearing about Gambian and CAR projects for years but not one bit of evidence is provided for progress. Can someone show some progress pictures, let us know how serious this is.

peyzaj
October 31st, 2011, 10:35 PM
http://erdemarchitects.com/en/works.php?id=51

peyzaj
October 31st, 2011, 10:36 PM
http://erdemarchitects.com/en/works.php?id=51

http://erdemarchitects.com/en/works.php?id=51

Gainde
October 31st, 2011, 11:25 PM
Where are these small countries like Gambia and CAR getting funds to build these "model cities." The only one that is actually following through and building their projects and cities and showing progress is Djibouti, and they have shown time and time again where their reliable source of funding is from (Gulf States).

I've been hearing about Gambian and CAR projects for years but not one bit of evidence is provided for progress. Can someone show some progress pictures, let us know how serious this is.

Not sure which Gambian projects you're referring to? As stated in the article quoted by Music City (copied from our Statehouse website), the foundation stone was laid by the President in April 2011. Construction is at preliminary stage and is expected to be completed by 2017 in time for hosting the OIC conference in this facility.

The funding for this project is coming from a consortium made up of Qatari, Emerati and Saudi money. The Qatari and Saudi money is coming from the Emir and Royal Family related entities.

A similar process took place in 2006 which allowed The Gambia to host the African Union Heads of State Conference (Small countries in Africa usually cannot afford to take on this mamoth task - 52 Heads of state at that time). For that one, Al Kharafi, the Kuwaiti Billionaire built the Sheraton Brufut Heights (hands down the most beautiful hotel in West Africa) which was finished in time with all facilities to allow for hosting of this important event.

Following is a short list of some major projects that have been financed and completed by our Muslim brothers from the Arab world (you can google for pictures):

1. Coco Ocean Resort
2. Sheraton Brufut Heights
3. Laico Atlantic Hotel
4. Jerma Beach Hotel
5. Banjul International Airport
6. Gam Petroleum
7. Kafuta Farms
8. Gambia Food and Feed Industries
9. Coastal Roads
10. Westfield - Sukuta Highway
11. Global Energy Group (Electricity IPP)

etc etc

Hope this lessens your skepticism in relation to projects in The Gambia.