The Kanifing Municipal Council has started construction of the country’s first-ever municipal library and innovation centre.

Speaking at the ceremoney, mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda said: “the Library and Innovation Hub will cost 41million dalasis funded by the EU: 32million to build the library and 9million to equip it.”

“To add more value to this venture, next year KMC will add a Cultural Center including a 500 seater auditorium, also to be located on this site – which will cost an additional 40million dalasis. The projected budget for this combined complex is over 81million dalasis,” he added.

According to the mayor, his administration initiated and planned to build a municipal library in respond to the needs of the people.

“It will be a safe, calm and inspiring space for our children, youths and entrepreneurs to have access to knowledge. It is a state of the art, sustainable building to minimise negative environmental impact, suituated here amongst our learning institutions, a walking distance from the university, professional training centres and schools,” he added.

“This will be a place where our next generation can explore their intellectual capacities by having access to a modern library that includes e-learning facilities equipped with reliable super-fast internet, including access to latest e-learning tools for research and innovation. 

“In addition, it will have an innovation hub so students and entrepreneurs can learn skills, borrow or hire specialized equipment, including for the circular economy. 

“It will incorporate a repair cafe, where residents can learn how to repair things in order to reduce waste and save money,” he continued.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba