Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – A heated dispute has erupted between the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) over the proposed D300 million Kanifing Road Network Project, with the NRA Director General, Ousman Sanyang, publicly denying the existence of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the initiative. This claim has been vehemently refuted by Kanifing Mayor Talib Bensouda, who has presented compelling evidence, including a signed MOU and GPPA (Gambia Public Procurement Authority) approval, suggesting a significant disconnect or miscommunication within the NRA.

The controversy came to a head following an interview with Director Sanyang on West Coast Radio’s “Coffee Time” talk show, where he asserted that KMC lacks the legal authority to construct roads and that no formal agreement with the NRA exists.

Sanyang further emphasized that the power to delegate road-building responsibilities rests solely with the Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, requiring official gazetting.

However, Mayor Bensouda swiftly countered these claims on his Facebook page, sharing copies of the alleged MOU and a letter from the NRA.

The mayor’s posts suggest that NRA officers had urgently requested the document from KMC just a day prior to Sanyang’s interview, hinting at internal disarray or misplaced records within the NRA. Bensouda branded Sanyang’s remarks as “misleading and politically motivated,” underscoring the project’s aim for public benefit.

During the “Coffee Time” interview, Sanyang detailed the NRA’s involvement in the project’s early stages, including participation in the tender evaluation process in early 2025.

He acknowledged receiving a draft MOU in December 2023, shortly after assuming his role at the NRA. However, he maintained that the document, which he critically analyzed on air, presented a conflict of interest by designating the NRA as both “consultant” and “contractor,” rendering it “not signable” and therefore, in his view, invalid.

Sanyang further explained that while the NRA participated in initial tender evaluations, they were “missing” from crucial pre-contract negotiations and final contract document reviews with the preferred Chinese contractor, Longyan, whose bid was reportedly D1.5 billion for 20 kilometers of roads – five times the initial budget cited by KMC.

He stressed the importance of these stages for ensuring proper contractual agreements, including performance and advance payment guarantees, which he alleged were lacking in the four-page contract agreement KMC presented to the NRA.

The NRA Director General revealed that his concerns about the project’s documentation led him to intervene in March 2024.

He stated that in a May 2024 meeting, KMC officials, including their CEO and Director of Development Planning, “admitted making mistakes” and agreed to update the MOU and contract documents.

Sanyang stated that the NRA subsequently provided templates for proper contract agreements and advised KMC to hire their own consultant, as the NRA lacks the capacity for such extensive supervision.

Crucially, Sanyang cited sections of both the NRA Act (Section 16.1) and the Local Government Act 2002 (Sections 79, 81, and 82) to support his assertion that KMC does not possess the inherent authority to build roads.

He reiterated that any such delegation of power must be approved by the minister and formally gazetted. He acknowledged that the NRA Act itself is currently under review.

The escalating dispute highlights significant transparency issues and raises questions about potential government interference in municipal development initiatives.

While the NRA emphasizes adherence to legal frameworks and proper contractual procedures, KMC argues for the public benefit of the project and criticizes what it perceives as politically motivated obstructions.

The onus now appears to be on both parties to clarify their positions and work towards a resolution that prioritizes the timely and effective execution of infrastructure projects for the people of Kanifing.