No man is an island but building one’s strength and capacity places one in a position to help oneself as well as others far and wide. This reasoning by President Adama Barrow is what amazes the CEO of Kurubally Construction Company, Cherno Kurubally, who applauds the President and Gambia government for supporting and empowering local contractors with construction projects, his company being a beneficiary of such support. Adama Jallow reports the commissioning of the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE) building constructed by Kurubally Construction Company in Brikama.
President Barrow has thought it wise and prudent to challenge local contractors by entrusting them with mega construction projects to deliver for their land and prove their mettle.
True to his policy of supporting and empowering local contractors, the President confidently contracted Kurubally Construction Company Ltd, a Gambian-owned company, to construct the country’s College of Science and Engineering (CoSE) Building, a World Bank-funded project.
After a diligent service and excellent work done, the historic landmark university edifice was commissioned on June 21 this year.
Funded by the World Bank ACE Impact for Development Project, the structure has 12 classrooms, 5 studios, 28 offices, a 250-seat auditorium, a conference meeting room, 15 modern and fully equipped engineering laboratories, and 4 workshops, namely Welding, Automotive, Mechanical, and Theory of Machines, all furnished with state-of-the-art machinery and tools.
At the commissioning of the CoSE edifice and conduct of the First Convocation of the Home-Grown Engineers of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology
“The decision to entrust the construction of College of Science and Engineering (CoSE) Building of USET with a Gambian firm would not only foster homegrown capacity, but would also encourage inclusive development and strengthen national self-reliance.”
(USET) in Brikama, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Kurubally Construction Company, Cherno Kurubally, applauded the Gambian leader and the government for entrusting the indigenous firm with such a significant national edifice – the USET project.
The decision to entrust such a mega project with a Gambian firm would not only foster homegrown capacity, but would also encourage inclusive development and strengthen national self-reliance, CEO Kurubally says.
“The accomplishment of the USET Brikama project is a strong proof that Gambians can build for The Gambia. The USET Brikama campus is a symbol of progress, a beacon of opportunity and a legacy for generations to come,” Kurubally commends the President, saying: “On behalf of Kurubally Construction Company and our dedicated partners, I wish to extend our profound gratitude to Your Excellency, for your visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the USET Brikama Project.”
He added: “Your personal involvement through consistent inspections and hands-on engagement ensured that obstacles were turned into opportunities.”
MILESTONE
The USET Brikama Project represents a milestone as it is first of its kind – a major national infrastructure of this magnitude – to be entrusted to a Gambian contractor.
“From the first Republic to the Second, many of our country’s flagship projects were awarded to foreign firms with limited local participation,” he recounted, appreciating the paradigm shift: “We are therefore, deeply grateful to you, President Barrow, for your bold and visionary decision to entrust this transformative project to our company.”
Mr Kurubally maintains that this shift is more than symbolic; “it is strategic and economic”, saying when local contractors are empowered, the funds stay within the nation’s economy and strengthen national development.
“President Barrow’s trust in Gambian capacity has opened the floodgates of opportunity for young entrepreneurs and engineers.”
He believes President Barrow’s trust in Gambian capacity has opened the floodgates of opportunity for young entrepreneurs and engineers: “Indeed, when this project was awarded, many doubted that Kurubally Construction could deliver, some even hoped it would fail, but today, the entire nation celebrates, not just the building, but the bold message it sends that Gambians can build for Gambia.”
In light of this, CEO Kurubally gives thanks and praise to “God Almighty for guidance and ensuring a dream come true”. He also salutes all collaborators, engineers, workers, the team of Kurubally Construction Company and the Brikama community for their cooperation and patience in realising the project
