China’s Ministry of Commerce provides RMB 579 million grant for Upper River Region (URR) Road and Rivers Project

¥579.1K RMB

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of Gambia
Country	Gambia
Start Date	May 19, 2017
End Date	Oct 30, 2029
Duration	4,547 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`56838`

Grant Description

On May 19, 2017, China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Government of the Gambia signed and Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), which committed grant funding for an unspecified set of activities. Then, on December 27, 2017, the President of Gambia visited China. Shortly after his trip, the Chinese Government pledged to fund the Upper River Region (URR) Road and Rivers Project.

A project implementation agreement was signed by the two governments on April 24, 2018.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reportedly committed RMB 579,080,000 of grant funding from the ETCA that was signed on May 19, 2017 for the URR Road and Rivers Project.

The purpose of the project was to construct a new Basse-Fatoto-Koina road section and two new bridges (Basse-Wuli and Fatoto-Parsimus bridges) in Upper River Region (URR).

More specifically, the project scope includes (1) The Basse‐Fatoto‐Koina Road, with a length of 47.133 kilometers, adopting asphalt concrete pavement, two‐way two‐lane standard, and a typical design speed of 60 km/h in rural areas and 40 km/h in township areas, the scope of work includes subgrade, pavement, drainage culvert works and related road supporting facilities; (2) The Basse Bridge and its link roads, with a length of 2.236 kilometers, of which the length of the bridge is 250 meters; (3) The Fatoto Bridge and its link roads, with a length of 1.769 kilometers, of which the length of the bridge is 170 meters; and (4) Medium bridges will be built at Chamoi K4+586 and Sare Alpha K26+907.

On July 19, 2017, the Chinese and the Gambian governments signed an exchange of letters on a feasibility study for the project. Then, on October 12, 2017, a team from China was dispatch to the Gambia to conduct the feasibility study. The team returned to China on November 12, 2017. The feasibility study report and a project initiation proposal were approved on December 10, 2017.

Then, according to the Gambian Department of the Treasury, in March 2018, MOFCOM selected CCCC Highway Consultants Co., Ltd — in association with Beijing Zhongjiao Highway and Bridge Engineering Supervision Co., Ltd — to supervise the project.

Long Jian Road & Bridge Co., Ltd. was selected by MOFCOM on October 23, 2018 as the contractor responsible for project implementation. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 15, 2018.

Then, on February 23, 2019 and 24, 2019, China’s Ambassador to the Gambia visited the project site and noted that the implementation will enhance convenience for locals and provide transportation efficiency for economic development. On March 13, 2019, China’s Ambassador to then Gambia visited the construction site again.

He noted that materials and equipment were on site, and that construction activities were on track.

Then, in April 2019, the Gambia’s Minister of Works and Infrastructure Bai Lamin Jobe, and Chinese Ambassador to the Gambia Ma Jianchun visited multiple project sites in the URR.

At that time, Chinese Ambassador Ma Jianchun said that the project had achieved a 5.7% completion rate, and Minister Bai Lamin Jobe said that the target date for project completion was August 2021. Minister Bai Lamin Jobe conducted another project site visit on June 26, 2020.

At that time, he said that when completed the project would positively impact the lives of the people of Upper River Region.

He also said that “so far what I am hearing on the ground [is that] work is going fast and we should maintain the speed.” Then, on March 26, 2021, a lead consultant for the project, Mike Feng, announced that the project had achieved a 91.5% completion rate.

He noted that the only remaining works were the asphalt pavement for the road, the marking of lines on the road, guardrails for the bridges, China Aid logos on structures, and slope stabilization works on the bridge approaches.

Bai Lamin Jobe, the Gambia’s Minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure, commended Mike Feng and his colleagues for the good news, noting that despite the COVID pandemic, which slowed the pace of works, the project would likely be completed ahead of schedule.

The Minister also noted that “according to various studies on successful projects, a critical factor which has been identified for such success is the number of meetings to deal with the challenges faced during implementation.

The [Project Steering] Committee had six meetings altogether, and during these meetings, [it] was able to solve many problems which unfolded.” The Minister described the project as an important achievement in the annals of the Upper River Region, and the country at large.

He said that “this project will serve as model for other projects in this country.” He also reminded the contractor of the absence of speed bumps on the newly constructed road, and the fact that the height of the road in some areas (such as the village of Kusong in Kantora) is making it difficult for the villagers to access the other side of their village.

The contractor promised to fix the problem as soon as possible.

Then, on April 28, 2021, the Chinese authorities again pledged to finish the project by July 15, 2021, a month before the originally expected completion date.

However, Chinese Ambassador Ma Jianchun visited the project site on July 25, 2021 and stated that the contractor needed to be more efficient so it could finish the project and turn it over to the Gambian Government, which indicated the project was still in implementation. On October 9, 2021, the President of Gambia held an inagurual opening ceremony to celebrate the project's completion.

At the project completion (road and bridge inauguration) ceremony, President Barrow thanked the Chinese Government for connecting URR north and south, finally bringing the country’s eastern end into the national highway network.

He officially inaugurated the Basse-Fatoto Highway amidst cheering from a large crowd that gathered at the road's intersection. He then proceeded to cut the ribbon at the Chamoi Bridge, followed by the Suduwol and Fatoto Bridges.

At the Fatoto Bridge, President Barrow drove a car across the bridge with First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow on the passenger seat, symbolizing an end to decades’ old use of boats and canoes to cross the river. The final ribbon cutting was at the main bridge connecting the Wulis in the north and Basse on the south of the river.

There, President Barrow announced the official name of the Bridge – Samba Juma Bridge, a tribute to a benevolent boatman who for many years helped people cross the river. Then, on December 15, 2021, a project handover certificate was issued.

📋 Staff Comments

This project is also known as the URR Road and Bridges Project, the URR Bridge and Road Construction Project, the Project of Road and Bridges Construction in URR, or the Basse-Fatoto-Koina Road Project, the Upper River Region Highway Bridge Project, and the Fatoto-Passimus Bridge and Basse-Wuli Bridge Projects. The Chinese project tittle is 冈比亚上河区公路桥梁项目 or 援冈比亚上河区公路桥梁项目.
It is unclear if any of the funding for this project was drawn from an RMB 300 million grant that Chinese Government pledged in September 2018 to fund agricultural mechanization and road infrastructure projects in the Gambia (captured via Project ID#56733). This issue warrants further investigation.
The project’s four main components are sometimes referred to as the Basse-Fatoto-Koina Road, the Basse-Wuli Bridge and link road, the Fatoto Bridge and link road, the Chamoi Bridge, and the Suduwol Bridge.
Some sources suggest that the project was officially completed on October 11, 2021 rather than October 9, 2021. This issue warrants further investigation.

📚 Sources & References

The Gambia Shanghe District Highway and Bridge Project Implementation Agreement was officially signed
The groundbreaking ceremony for the China-Gambia Shanghe District Highway and Bridge Project was held
Ambassador Ma Jianchun and the Minister of Engineering of the Gambia co-chaired the first inter-departmental coordination meeting of the road and bridge project in the Shanghe District of the Gambia.
Ambassador Ma Jianchun visited the site of the URR construction project of road and bridges
Total Chineese aid to the Gambia
Brief on Chinese Support to the Gambia as at July 2018.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony of the China-aid Project of Road and Bridges Construction in URR of The Gambia was Held at Basse.
Gambia to benefit from $48M Chinese grant
FISCAL CONSOLIDATION - RESTORING MACROECONOMICSTABILITY FOR A PROSPEROUS GAMBIA
PRESIDENT BARROW LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR MAJOR ROAD AND BRIDGES
Banjul to strengthen ties with Beijing
URR Bridge And Road Construction Works In Progress
Barrow Unveil Major Projects Of Bridges
Roads In Rural Gambia
Gambia: Works Infrastructure Minister
Chinese Ambassador
Visit URR
Speech by H.E. President Adama Barrow at the Inaugural Ceremony of the International Conference Centre
PRESIDENT BARROW LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR MAJOR ROADS AND BRIDGES, 2020 Budget Speech, 2018 Budget Speech, 2019 Budget Speech
Ambassador Ma Jianchun visited my aid to the Gambia Shanghe District Highway Bridge Project
Ambassador Ma Jianchun met with the Mayor of the Gambia Shanghe District
The head of the Gambia Road and Bridge Project Unit met with Ambassador Ma Jianchun
Ambassador Zhang Jiming transferred to the Gambian Engineering Department to deepen the design drawings of the highway bridge project of Shanghe District
The groundbreaking ceremony for the China-Gambia Shanghe District Highway and Bridge Project was held
The President of the Gambia received a special inspection team from the Ganga District Highway Bridge Project in the Gambia.
Supported the Gambia Shanghe District Highway Bridge Project to complete professional inspection and sign the implementation agreement - Economic Cooperation Bureau actively implements the important measures in the infrastructure field of the 'Ten Cooperation Plan'
Ambassador Ma Jianchun and the Minister of Engineering in Gambia co-chaired the first inter-departmental coordination meeting for the road and bridge project in Gambia
Ambassador Ma Jianchun and the Minister of Engineering in Gambia co-chaired the third inter-departmental coordination meeting for the road and bridge project in Gambia
Chinese Ambassador to Gambia Ma Jianchun inspects aid projects in Gambia
Ambassador Ma Jianchun accompanies President Barrow of the Gambia to inspect the road and bridge project in Gambia, https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/gjhdq_676201/gj_676203/fz_677316/1206_677632/1206x2_677652/t1641833.shtml
The groundbreaking ceremony of China-aided highway bridge project in Shanghe District of Gambia was grandly held
The President of the Gambia Barrow inspects China-aided Gangshanghe District Road and Bridge Project
Ambassador Ma Jianchun inspected our aid to the road and bridge project in Shanghe District of Gangzhou and attended the symposium
The implementation agreement for the Gambia's Shanghe District Highway Bridge Project was officially signed
Ambassador Ma Jianchun and the Minister of Engineering of the Gambia co-chaired the first inter-departmental coordination meeting for the road and bridge project in the Upper River District of the Gambia
Ambassador Ma Jianchun inspects China-aided highway and bridge project in Shanghe District
Gambia
The groundbreaking ceremony of China-aided highway bridge project in Shanghe District of Gambia was held
The Sixth Steering Committee Meeting on Road and Bridges Project was Held in URR
Aid to Gambia’s Shanghe District Highway Bridge Project to hold a photo exhibition on the 70th anniversary of the National Day
Counselor Luo Wenjun inspected China's aid to Gangshanghe District Highway Bridge Project and Agricultural Technical Assistance Project
Ambassador Ma Jianchun inspected our aid to the road and bridge project in Shanghe District of Gangzhou and attended the symposium
The second inter-departmental coordination meeting for the road and bridge project in Shanghe District
Gambia
Counselor Luo Wenjun conducted a special safety inspection on the road and bridge project in Shanghe District
Gambia aided by China
The first inter-departmental coordination meeting for the road and bridge project in the Shanghe District of the Gambia was successfully held
The Groundbreaking Ceremony of the China-aid Project of Road and Bridges Construction in URR of The Gambia was Held at Basse.
The President of the Gambia Barrow inspects the road and bridge project in Gambia Shanghe District
The President of the Gambia received the professional inspection team for the road and bridge project in the Shanghe District of the Gambia aided by China
Completed the professional inspection and signed the implementation agreement for the highway bridge project in the Shanghe District of Gambia-Economic Cooperation Bureau actively implements the important measures in the field of infrastructure in the 'Ten Major Cooperation Programs' in aid to Africa, my country's foreign aid road and bridge project Longjian Road and Bridge Gambia project started
Longjian won the bid for China's aid to Gambia project
马建春大使赴我援冈上河区路桥项目检查安全工作
URR Bridges & Road Project to be Completed in July 2021
China-Gambia Sign Bridge Constructions
GAMBIA TRANSPORT MINISTER HELD MEETING TO DISCUSS URR PROJECTS
A Great Infrastructure Boosts for the People of the Upper River Region
Gambia gets US$75m China grant for construction projects
Gambia’s Tolerance for Chinese Fish Factories Tested As Beijing Courts Poor African Nation with Deals
THE NATIONAL INTEREST OF CHINA IN THEIR ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH THE GAMBIA
Ministers Arrive in URR Ahead Of Laying of Foundation Stone Ceremony by President
The road and bridge projects for Basse-Koina road
Basse - Wuli and Fatoto-Passamas crossings
Chamoi bridge, and Suduwol, respectively, constitute the first major infrastructural development project of the Barrow administration
STATEMENT BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT
ADAMA BARROW AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE UPPER RIVER REGION ROAD AND BRIDGES PROJECT HELD SATURDAY, 9th OCTOBER 2021 IN BASSE
H.E President Barrow’s Statement At The Inaugurate The URR Ring Roads
The Dawn of a New Era in the URR
Gambia and the Sub Region
URR Bridges & Road Pr oject to be Completed in July 2021
MOTWI: Over Four Hundr ed Million Dalasi Roads Pr oject to be Ready in 12 Months
W orks Ministry Holds Steering Committee Meeting on URR Pr ojects
W orks Minister V isits US$82 Million Road
Bridge Pr ojects in URR
Feature: China-aided road, bridge projects end decades transportation dilemma for Gambians
冈比亚总统巴罗视察中国援冈公路桥梁项目
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SELECT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS First and Second Phase
援冈比亚公路桥梁项目帮助冈比亚人民实现梦想
龙建股份承建的中国政府援冈比亚上河区公路桥梁项目竣工
驻冈比亚大使马建春出席援冈路桥项目交接证书签署仪式
跨国执行全记录: 中国援冈比亚上河区公路桥梁项目开工典礼正式举行
Gambia MOFEA FINAL-BUDGET.pdf Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.