Gambia Gov’t, BADEA ink US$7M loan agreement
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Finance, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) Tuesday signed a loan agreement amounting to US$7 million for the financing of the University of The Gambia (UTG) Campus located in Faraba Banta Village in the Kombo East District of the West Coast Region.
Presided over by the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh at State House, the signing ceremony was also graced by Cabinet ministers, the secretary general and head of Civil Service and officials of BADEA. The minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mamburay Njie signed on behalf of The Gambia government whilst His Excellency Abdul Aziz Khelef, the director general of BADEA signed on behalf of his group. The UTG project in Faraba Banta village is estimated to cost US$52 Million. The BADEA US$7 million loan will be repaid over a period of 30 years, including a 10-year grace period and 1% annual interest rate.
Addressing the gathering, President Jammeh, who is also the chancellor of the UTG, thanked the Almighty Allah for the day, recalling that UTG was at the beginning, seen as a far-fetched dream as some even called it a ‘white elephant’. “It was given all sort of names and when we talked about the creation of the university, most of the time they use to call it virtual university. So it has gone through so many names and acronyms. But it is a reality and is a university that we are proud to say that it can be reckoned with in the international academia,” President Jammeh stated.
The Gambian leader stressed that he made a pledge and when he makes a pledge, he ensures that it is fulfilled. He further recalled that during the 2008 Convocation, he promised the students of UTG who were in their first year at the university that their 2010 Convocation will be held at their new university campus. “If people are taking about socio-economic development of a country one tends to ignore the pivotal role education plays in society. Africa’s most vicious enemy apart from malaria is ignorance. Malaria is secondary to ignorance and that because of ignorance, you don’t even know what environment is conducive to the fight against malaria or to the entrenchment of malaria,” he further stated.
President Jammeh further reiterated that education is indispensable and no political ideology without education can eradicate ignorance in any part of the world. He added that the university is a personal project, because many people call it his baby, with others even branding it ‘a baby that will never be delivered’. He said that when he spoke about the creation of the university way back in 1994, nobody took him seriously, with parents even advised not to send their children to the UTG, because many then doubted the competence of the institution.
He further stated that even during the University Extension Programme many people still didn’t believe in it and it was given all sort of names. “Today's ceremony is a clear testimony. Not only do we have a world class university but also we are going to have a world class campus to be reckoned with,” the president remarked. He then thanked BADEA for always responding positively while describing Kuwaiti Fund and OPEC as institutions that have never failed The Gambia, each time a request is made. “Education, as important as it is a vehicle and each vehicle requires fuel. Without the fuel the car would not move,” he added.
Major project in Agriculture
The Gambian leader also announced another major agricultural project in which he will approach BADEA for support. He said that he sees no reason why The Gambia cannot be self-sufficient and produce food to the point of exporting. “We have the most conducive environment and in most parts of this country, the water level is almost six metres below,” he pointed out. He also harped on the need to maximally utilise the River Gambia for agricultural purposes, stating that “without food, agriculture' nothing works”. “So for the university to be a real university, we have to ensure that students are well fed, the lecturers are well fed and everyone is well fed for effective learning,” President Jammeh added.
Health
President Jammeh said that in addition to agriculture, health is another major component where he will focus on. “The main focus areas of my development drive in the socio-economic development of the country are four; but the three cardinal points are agriculture, health and education, when you add to it, is infrastructural development. I have done a lot of investment in both agriculture and education, but we don’t have much investment in the area of health and I really want to focus on health as well,” he remarked.
He further said it is his intention to make sure that any [medical] case that is referred overseas, will be a case that cannot be treated anywhere in Africa, emphasising that he wants to make sure The Gambia is second to none in the health sector.
“So that will mean overhauling most medical facilities and re-equipping them with ultra-modern systems. In health if you cannot diagnose, don’t prescribe, because you maybe killing the patient. In the event you prescribe medication for a wrong disease, you are killing the patients. And you cannot have a precise diagnosis without proper state-of-the-art facilities. So this is one thing, I will also knock at your door before the end of the year,” he disclosed, hinting that he wants to equip all the hospitals, more so the teaching hospital which is affilliated to the university.
President Jammeh reiterated his appreciation and thanks to the management of the BADEA for their support. “We are really proud of our association and pray that may God Almighty reward them as they make a difference in the socio-economic development of the country,” he added. The minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mamburay Njie described the occasion as a testimony of the special relations between BADEA and The Gambia. He said: “The construction of the Gambia University Campus at Faraba Banta for which this facility is earmarked to co-finance is to make available and additional spaces to meet the increased demand for the academic education and avail the required cadres in different fields.”
He explained that the long-term objective of the project is to develop and raise the academic education standards in the country through the construction of modern buildings and facilities. He added that this will address the inter-linked problems of transportation, drugging of both teaching staff and students and also reduce the operation cost. Minister Njie continued: “It is worthy that the instrument we are about to sign today excluding grants and facilities, is the 12th Loan Agreement signed between the BADEA and the Government of The Gambia from 1975 to date. This demonstrates the bank’s commitment and support for the socio-economic advancement of the people of The Gambia. It would delight you to note that from 1975 to date, the total amount of operations availed by the bank to the Gambia totals US81 million (US$79.93 million loans) and (US$2.1 million grants) across all sectors of the economy.”
He then thanked the management of the BADEA for providing the facility, while equally hailing the efforts of the Gambian leader. His Excellency Abdul Aziz Khelef, the director-general of BADEA, for his part, described the occasion as a living testimony to the depth and quality of the relationship that exists between the BADEA and The Gambia. He described the signing of the loan agreement as a new step in BADEA’s contribution to the socio-economic development of The Gambia, pointing out that it also signifies the amicable relations that bind The Gambia and the Arab World. “These relations, I believe are predestined to develop further and thrive more, driven by strong common goals and boosted by tremendous potential for mutual benefits from investment and trade. BADEA, whose mandate is to promote Afro-Arab economic cooperation, is bound to play a key role in advancing the common interest of the two inter-related groups,” he stated.
The BADEA DG maintained that his group appreciates and is privileged to take part in the UTG Project. He disclosed that the project adds to a list of projects supported by BADEA in The Gambia since 1975, totalling 26 operations with overall commitments of about 92 million dollars, including 12 development projects, nine technical assistance operations, and 2 trade finance operations. Khelef further reiterated his group’s commitment to assist The Gambia in a bid to alleviate and promote development. He also assured that BADEA will continue to avail The Gambia as well as other African countries, a variety of instruments, including very highly concessional loans for financing development projects, full grants for technical assistance operations, trade finance facilities and various activities for promoting Arab investment and Afro-Arab cooperation within the South-South Solidarity Framework.
For his part, Professor Muhammadou Kah, the vice chancellor of UTG, on behalf of the university community thanked the bank for this additional financing that would make the university campus a reality. He described the UTG as core to the economic development and engine of this country, saying: “Our dear president and the Chancellor of the UTG works tirelessly to ensure that the UTG is not only a university but a world class university that serves not only Gambians but Africans and others at large. This additional financing will enable us to have a world-class university with the necessary academic and administrative infrastructures and learning spaces, to ensure that quality instructions and research and service to the country would be delivered.
“So we thank you dearly and look forward to collaborating with you beyond just loan but also other activities of the banks to add to our scholarships fund initiatives, which our president and his government contributes hugely to ensure that the majority of the youths of this country who have difficulty to pay for themselves, to have access to this wonderful facilities.” Professor Kah equally expressed optimism that they will collaborate further to ensure that science, technology and innovation is further broadened in a bid to attract youths in that discipline. “We appreciate the loan but there other need to work with you.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Momodou Tangara, the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad who also doubles as the chairman of the UTG Governing Council, described UTG as one of the greatest achievements of the Gambian leader. “The university is linked to our development needs, that is why we really appreciate the support of BADEA.” He expressed with appreciation the support of BADEA in building the country’s human capital, stressing that investing in human capital is the best investment the country can make into the future. He equally thanked the Gambian leader for his vision and prayed that God Almighty continues to guide him to steer the affairs of the country.
Presided over by the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh at State House, the signing ceremony was also graced by Cabinet ministers, the secretary general and head of Civil Service and officials of BADEA. The minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mamburay Njie signed on behalf of The Gambia government whilst His Excellency Abdul Aziz Khelef, the director general of BADEA signed on behalf of his group. The UTG project in Faraba Banta village is estimated to cost US$52 Million. The BADEA US$7 million loan will be repaid over a period of 30 years, including a 10-year grace period and 1% annual interest rate.
Addressing the gathering, President Jammeh, who is also the chancellor of the UTG, thanked the Almighty Allah for the day, recalling that UTG was at the beginning, seen as a far-fetched dream as some even called it a ‘white elephant’. “It was given all sort of names and when we talked about the creation of the university, most of the time they use to call it virtual university. So it has gone through so many names and acronyms. But it is a reality and is a university that we are proud to say that it can be reckoned with in the international academia,” President Jammeh stated.
The Gambian leader stressed that he made a pledge and when he makes a pledge, he ensures that it is fulfilled. He further recalled that during the 2008 Convocation, he promised the students of UTG who were in their first year at the university that their 2010 Convocation will be held at their new university campus. “If people are taking about socio-economic development of a country one tends to ignore the pivotal role education plays in society. Africa’s most vicious enemy apart from malaria is ignorance. Malaria is secondary to ignorance and that because of ignorance, you don’t even know what environment is conducive to the fight against malaria or to the entrenchment of malaria,” he further stated.
President Jammeh further reiterated that education is indispensable and no political ideology without education can eradicate ignorance in any part of the world. He added that the university is a personal project, because many people call it his baby, with others even branding it ‘a baby that will never be delivered’. He said that when he spoke about the creation of the university way back in 1994, nobody took him seriously, with parents even advised not to send their children to the UTG, because many then doubted the competence of the institution.
He further stated that even during the University Extension Programme many people still didn’t believe in it and it was given all sort of names. “Today's ceremony is a clear testimony. Not only do we have a world class university but also we are going to have a world class campus to be reckoned with,” the president remarked. He then thanked BADEA for always responding positively while describing Kuwaiti Fund and OPEC as institutions that have never failed The Gambia, each time a request is made. “Education, as important as it is a vehicle and each vehicle requires fuel. Without the fuel the car would not move,” he added.
Major project in Agriculture
The Gambian leader also announced another major agricultural project in which he will approach BADEA for support. He said that he sees no reason why The Gambia cannot be self-sufficient and produce food to the point of exporting. “We have the most conducive environment and in most parts of this country, the water level is almost six metres below,” he pointed out. He also harped on the need to maximally utilise the River Gambia for agricultural purposes, stating that “without food, agriculture' nothing works”. “So for the university to be a real university, we have to ensure that students are well fed, the lecturers are well fed and everyone is well fed for effective learning,” President Jammeh added.
Health
President Jammeh said that in addition to agriculture, health is another major component where he will focus on. “The main focus areas of my development drive in the socio-economic development of the country are four; but the three cardinal points are agriculture, health and education, when you add to it, is infrastructural development. I have done a lot of investment in both agriculture and education, but we don’t have much investment in the area of health and I really want to focus on health as well,” he remarked.
He further said it is his intention to make sure that any [medical] case that is referred overseas, will be a case that cannot be treated anywhere in Africa, emphasising that he wants to make sure The Gambia is second to none in the health sector.
“So that will mean overhauling most medical facilities and re-equipping them with ultra-modern systems. In health if you cannot diagnose, don’t prescribe, because you maybe killing the patient. In the event you prescribe medication for a wrong disease, you are killing the patients. And you cannot have a precise diagnosis without proper state-of-the-art facilities. So this is one thing, I will also knock at your door before the end of the year,” he disclosed, hinting that he wants to equip all the hospitals, more so the teaching hospital which is affilliated to the university.
President Jammeh reiterated his appreciation and thanks to the management of the BADEA for their support. “We are really proud of our association and pray that may God Almighty reward them as they make a difference in the socio-economic development of the country,” he added. The minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mamburay Njie described the occasion as a testimony of the special relations between BADEA and The Gambia. He said: “The construction of the Gambia University Campus at Faraba Banta for which this facility is earmarked to co-finance is to make available and additional spaces to meet the increased demand for the academic education and avail the required cadres in different fields.”
He explained that the long-term objective of the project is to develop and raise the academic education standards in the country through the construction of modern buildings and facilities. He added that this will address the inter-linked problems of transportation, drugging of both teaching staff and students and also reduce the operation cost. Minister Njie continued: “It is worthy that the instrument we are about to sign today excluding grants and facilities, is the 12th Loan Agreement signed between the BADEA and the Government of The Gambia from 1975 to date. This demonstrates the bank’s commitment and support for the socio-economic advancement of the people of The Gambia. It would delight you to note that from 1975 to date, the total amount of operations availed by the bank to the Gambia totals US81 million (US$79.93 million loans) and (US$2.1 million grants) across all sectors of the economy.”
He then thanked the management of the BADEA for providing the facility, while equally hailing the efforts of the Gambian leader. His Excellency Abdul Aziz Khelef, the director-general of BADEA, for his part, described the occasion as a living testimony to the depth and quality of the relationship that exists between the BADEA and The Gambia. He described the signing of the loan agreement as a new step in BADEA’s contribution to the socio-economic development of The Gambia, pointing out that it also signifies the amicable relations that bind The Gambia and the Arab World. “These relations, I believe are predestined to develop further and thrive more, driven by strong common goals and boosted by tremendous potential for mutual benefits from investment and trade. BADEA, whose mandate is to promote Afro-Arab economic cooperation, is bound to play a key role in advancing the common interest of the two inter-related groups,” he stated.
The BADEA DG maintained that his group appreciates and is privileged to take part in the UTG Project. He disclosed that the project adds to a list of projects supported by BADEA in The Gambia since 1975, totalling 26 operations with overall commitments of about 92 million dollars, including 12 development projects, nine technical assistance operations, and 2 trade finance operations. Khelef further reiterated his group’s commitment to assist The Gambia in a bid to alleviate and promote development. He also assured that BADEA will continue to avail The Gambia as well as other African countries, a variety of instruments, including very highly concessional loans for financing development projects, full grants for technical assistance operations, trade finance facilities and various activities for promoting Arab investment and Afro-Arab cooperation within the South-South Solidarity Framework.
For his part, Professor Muhammadou Kah, the vice chancellor of UTG, on behalf of the university community thanked the bank for this additional financing that would make the university campus a reality. He described the UTG as core to the economic development and engine of this country, saying: “Our dear president and the Chancellor of the UTG works tirelessly to ensure that the UTG is not only a university but a world class university that serves not only Gambians but Africans and others at large. This additional financing will enable us to have a world-class university with the necessary academic and administrative infrastructures and learning spaces, to ensure that quality instructions and research and service to the country would be delivered.
“So we thank you dearly and look forward to collaborating with you beyond just loan but also other activities of the banks to add to our scholarships fund initiatives, which our president and his government contributes hugely to ensure that the majority of the youths of this country who have difficulty to pay for themselves, to have access to this wonderful facilities.” Professor Kah equally expressed optimism that they will collaborate further to ensure that science, technology and innovation is further broadened in a bid to attract youths in that discipline. “We appreciate the loan but there other need to work with you.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Momodou Tangara, the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad who also doubles as the chairman of the UTG Governing Council, described UTG as one of the greatest achievements of the Gambian leader. “The university is linked to our development needs, that is why we really appreciate the support of BADEA.” He expressed with appreciation the support of BADEA in building the country’s human capital, stressing that investing in human capital is the best investment the country can make into the future. He equally thanked the Gambian leader for his vision and prayed that God Almighty continues to guide him to steer the affairs of the country.
Author: by Sheriff Janko