A Dutch company has been given the contract to design and supervise the construction of an ultra-modern Presidential VIP Lounge at the Banjul International Airport, the country’s OIC secretariat has said in a statement.

Netherlands Airport Consultants and its Gambian partner, Cityscape, will provide integrated design services for an independent VIP pavilion for the exclusive use of the President of the Republic and other designated guests.

The company’s work also includes designing press rooms, protocol offices, security offices, parking lots for the use of passengers arriving and departing the presidential lounge, and roads linking the lounge to the Aircraft Apron.

“The Gambia O.I.C. Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure and The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, is pleased to announce the recruitment of Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO) as the consultant for the Design and Supervision of the construction of an ultra-modern Presidential VVIP Lounge at the Banjul International Airport, in preparation for the forthcoming OIC Heads of State and Government Summit in 2022,” the secretariat said in a statement.

According to the statement, the engineering firm will provide detailed designs and pre-contract services for a period of 23 weeks as well as deliver construction compliance and site supervision duties for 52 weeks.

The secretariat’s chief executive officer Yankuba Dibba said “The signing marks yet another indication of our logical approach to systematically putting in place an array of infrastructure to ensure a successful hosting of the OIC 2022.

‘‘The VVIP lounge will give our guests a taste of the experience of Gambian hospitality. It would provide a befitting welcome to the smiling coast of Africa.’’

He added: “The building of a modern presidential lounge at the country’s only international airport, ahead of the OIC Summit in 2022, will uplift its image and standards in line with international protocol and high-level reception requirements.  

“The project will complement ongoing efforts by OICGambia, and The Gambia government, to position The Gambia as a leading conference destination in the subregion. 

“Moreover, like other OICGambia projects, it will create several job opportunities and transfer of knowledge to local firms and individuals.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba