PRESS RELEASE
Designation of the Super Prize-Great Builder – Trophée Babacar NDIAYE of The Africa Road Builders 2019
Nairobi, March 21, 2019.The annual nomination meeting of the Selection Committee of The Africa Road Builders — Babacar Ndiaye Trophy was held on March 20 and 21, 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting was attended by representatives of several media from different sub-regions of Africa. The Committee also recorded the participation of road and transport experts, as well as invited observers for the occasion.
The Selection Committee worked on the basis of the report made by the Media Network for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa (MIFA). The Selection Committee also took into account the public reports of international institutions and organizations on road and transport in Africa, as well as all relevant publications available and searchable in the relevant fields.
The Selection Committee wishes to point out that its work has [sic] focused on the themes of “Integration” and “Economic Prosperity” of Africa, in relation to the Road, Transport and Mobility. The debates were open and frank. The decisions were submitted to three main criteria: the social impact of the projects, their environmental aspect and the quality of the financial arrangement.
At the end of the deliberations, the Selection Committee proceeded to the choice of the winner of the Super Prize Great Builder – Trophée Babacar NDIAYE of The Africa Road Builders 2019. Thus, is designated The Africa Road Builders Super Prize Great Builder – Trophée Babacar NDIAYE 2019 , HE. Adama BARROW, President of The Republic of Gambia, For his personal leadership and for the realization of the Senegambia Bridge [sic]. This bridge, whose [sic] project dates back more than 40 years, is rightly called “the bridge of deliverance”. It can also be called “the bridge of integration.” Indeed, beyond the link between Senegal and Gambia [sic], it is all Africa that this bridge will allow to cross more easily. The Senegambia bridge [sic] contributes to a major cross-border route between Algeria (in the extreme north of the continent) and South Africa (in the extreme south) along the entire west coast. In all, 21 countries are involved. That’s almost 40% of the total number of countries in Africa.
The Selection Committee warmly congratulates President Adama BARROW and her entire country. He has the honor to inform them that the presentation of the trophy will take place on June 12, 2019 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on the occasion of the AfDB Annual Meetings, during a solemn ceremony sponsored by the President of the AfDB , Dr Akinwumi ADESINA.
The Selection Committee welcomes the declared desire of all African States to improve the quality of roads and transport, while strengthening the integration of populations for economic development. The Selection Committee encourages them all to carry out concrete projects that facilitate the mobility of all the peoples of the continent, and which promote their full integration for economic prosperity.
The Selection Committee particularly welcomes the President of Equatorial Guinea for his great vision and for the many infrastructures built for his country. The Selection Committee has an emotional mind for Mozambique whose infrastructure efforts are currently being challenged by climate change.
The Selection Committee thanks and congratulates the AfDB and its Chair, Dr. Akinwumi ADESINA, for the continued efforts for road and transport across the continent.
The Selection Committee salutes the former winners of the Super Prize Great Builder – Trophée Babacar NDIAYE. He expresses in particular his admiration and his heartfelt thanks to HE. Uhuru KENYATTA, President of the Republic of Kenya for the hospitality shown by the country and for the continuation of the great works that earned him the prestigious Trophée Babacar NDIAYE.
The Selection Committee joins forces with ACTUROUTES and the General Commission of The Africa Road Builders – Trophée Babacar NDIAYE to salute the memory of Dr Babacar NDIAYE, former President of the AfDB, who inspired this initiative.
The President of the Selection Committee
Mr. Adama WADE
President of the Media Network for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa (MIFA) Publication Director of Financial Afrik Magazine
adama.wade@financialafrik.com