By Ramatoulie Jawo
With the 15th OIC Heads of State Summit just months away, the OIC Gambia Secretariat is adjusting its plans to ensure a successful event. Originally aiming to build a new five-star hotel for delegates, the Secretariat has switched gears to “Plan B” due to unforeseen construction delays.
Nfally Fadera, the OIC Head of Brand and Communication, revealed this during a presentation of the project plan before the National Assembly Select Committee overseeing Government Projects on January 23, 2024.
Originally, the plan was to construct a five-star hotel for delegates; however, due to construction delays, the hotel would not be ready before the Summit. Fadera informed the committee that despite the setback, the Secretariat is committed to offering a five-star accommodation experience for guests and delegates. To achieve this, they are now collaborating with the Hotel Association to utilize the country’s existing 4000-plus bed capacity, including upscale accommodation facilities. Additionally, they are exploring alternative options such as floating hotels (Cruise ships) in the ongoing resource mobilization drive.
“As we are still determined to provide a five-star accommodation experience for the guests and delegates, the Secretariat is partnering with the Hotel Association to leverage the country’s pre-existing 4000-plus bed capacity which includes some upper-scale accommodation facilities and also exploring other complementary possibilities in the ongoing resource mobilization drive that is floating hotels(Cruise-ship),” Fadera told the NAMs.
Fadera emphasized that the Secretariat has reached its final mandate of event planning and management for the summit. They are actively working with the local organizing community, comprised of experts and volunteers nationwide, to provide expertise ranging from security to media and communication.Key projects, including the construction of an international conference centre, road construction, airport lounge, presidential suite, five-star hotel, VIP accommodation, security, water, and electricity, are underway. Fadera acknowledged challenges in the progress of the five-star hotel but assured that adjustments would be made, focusing on VIP security as part of the next phase of event planning.
“Some priority projects which are the construction of an international conference centre, road construction projects to build an airport lounge a presidential one, a five-star hotel, accommodation VIP cars, security, water, and electricity. I am happy to report that those projects are put in motion. The five-star hotel is underway although not going as we expected but will also base it on the VIP security, which also is all part of the next task as part of the event planning,” Mr Fadera expressed.
