Abdoulie Jobe has revealed that the government is moving to terminate a D118.5 million eco-lodge construction contract after the projects remained incomplete despite millions of dalasis already paid to the contractor.

He disclosed this while responding to questions from lawmakers at the National Assembly of The Gambia regarding the status of eco-lodge projects initiated by the Gambia Tourism Board.

According to him, the contract was awarded on 24 March 2020 to the Lerr Group to construct eco-lodges at Barra, Kunkiling, Sotoma, Sambukoi, Nyanga Bantang and Arafat.

The project, initially valued at D111,690,525, was expected to be completed by September 30, 2021.

Mr Jobe told lawmakers that the contract allowed a 40 percent advance payment, and D38,848,878.26 was paid to the contractor in April 2020.

He added that the contract value was later increased through addendums approved by a subsequent director general, Abubakar Camara, raising the total contract sum to D118,571,910.

However, despite the payments made, the minister said none of the eco-lodges has been completed, while construction never commenced at Nyanga Bantang and Arafat.
According to him, the tourism board has so far paid the contractor D72,727,748.26, representing 61 percent of the contract value.

Mr Jobe said an independent assessment conducted by GamWorks in November 2024 revealed incomplete and defective works across several project sites.

The assessment further estimated that completing the outstanding works at the affected sites would now cost D157,715,000 at 2025 prices.

Following legal advice from the Ministry of Justice of The Gambia, the minister said the government has decided to terminate the contract and pursue legal action.

He added that Cabinet in January 2026 approved the termination of the contract and instructed the tourism board, under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice, to begin legal proceedings against the contractor to recover funds and damages.

By Adama Makasuba