The road, renovated at a tune of 7.7 million dollars, was yesterday inaugurated by the vice president, Isatou Njie Saidy, as part of activities marking 50 years of independence.
Mr Colley, who is on his second term in office, was visibly emotional. He burst into tears when he got up to make his speech and his sympathisers crowded around him to console him.
“I must say I am humbled by the executive decision to name the Westfield-Sukuta road after my humble self,” he managed to say in between sobs, wiping his tears with a tissue.
“My entire family is grateful for this magnanimous recognition. With profound honour and dignity I wish to dedicate this street name to the people of the municipality. Without your support and commitment to the national call I could not have earned such a pleasant recognition from the government.”
In her speech, the vice president, Isatou Njie-Saidy, said the road would facilitate free movement of goods and people, in line with efforts to realising Vision 2020.
She added: “For proper economic progress to take place, the establishment of a modern road network linking major towns and cities as well as connecting remote locations is vital. In this respect, this road stretches from Westfield junction to the town of Sukuta is indeed one of the critical links in the urban road network and provides access to a large population of the KMC and West Coast regional Communities.”
The Mayor Colley Highway runs through the busy Serrekunda market and connects the Kombo North town of Sukuta to the Coastal Road, leading to the Senegambia Tourism Development Area and the Banjul International Airport. The length of the road is 7.5km with a two-lane carriageway, parking bays, concrete sidewalks, drains, street lighting and traffic lights at major junctions.
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