The new ultra-modern presidential lounge, commissioned for construction at the Banjul International Airport, will be a befitting reception for the 2022 OIC Heads of State Summit and other international visitors, says the Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS), Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure, Mr. Ousman Ceesay.
DPS Ceesay made the remarks on Thursday 14 October 2021 at the award of contract ceremony for the construction of the VVIP Lounge at the Banjul International Airport. 
‘’The signing marks a key milestone in The Gambia’s bid to host the Summit and would provide a suitable reception to the guests of the Summit’’, he said. 
The project is one of the strategic priorities of OICGambia in preparation for the forthcoming OIC Summit.  The contract to the tune of USD9,021,287.00 was awarded to AREZKI and will be supervised by the Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO). 
The Chief Executive Officer of The Gambia OIC Secretariat, Mr. Yankuba Dibba thanked the financiers of the project, Saudi Fund for Development, saying the signing marks a monumental addition to The Gambia’s infrastructural development.  
Under the agreement, AREZKI will construct an independent airport terminal which will include presidential lounges, press rooms, protocol offices, security offices, parking lots etc. for the exclusive use of passengers arriving and departing the presidential lounge, and roads linking the lounge to the Aircraft Apron. 
The Director General of The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Fansu Bojang said the VVIP/ President lounge could not have come at a better time considering the airport improvement projects recently completed. 
He added that the airport is fully capable to handle the demands of the OIC Summit and would promote and position The Gambia as an international conferencing destination. 
The building of a modern presidential lounge at the country’s only international airport, ahead of the OIC Summit, will improve its image and standards in line with international protocol and high-level reception requirements. 
Additionally, the project will complement ongoing efforts by OICGambia, and The Gambia government, to position The Gambia as a leading conference destination in the subregion.