Gambia: Government Allocates More Than D400 Million for OIC in 2023, Says CEO

The Gambia government is gearing up to host the 15th Conference of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on May 4th and 5th, with preparations in full swing. Chief Executive Officer Yankuba Dibba revealed that over D400 million had been budgeted for the OIC-Gambia Secretariat to organize the summit, with expenditures nearing 500 million dollars.

Minister of Information, Mr. Darboe, highlighted key projects undertaken for the conference, including the Sir Dawda International Conference Centre built at a cost of 50 million dollars, funded by the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, a grant of 32.5 million dollars was allocated to NAWEC for improving water and electricity transmission.

Dibba emphasized that the government of The Gambia is solely funding the summit, with no external contributions. He assured that the country is fully prepared to host the event, which will see senior officers, ministers of foreign affairs, and heads of state and government from 57 member countries in attendance over the course of six days.

The Secretariat, operational for over five years, has focused on infrastructural development, with committees dedicated to various aspects such as media, accommodation, transport, and protocol. The Bertil Harding Highway has been designated as the OIC impact zone, connecting the airport with accommodation facilities.

As the countdown to the summit begins, The Gambia is set to showcase its readiness and commitment to hosting a successful OIC conference, reinforcing its position as a key player in the international arena.