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Current Feed ContentWR women farmers, others assistedThursday, September 04, 2008 Saint Joseph’s Family Farm (SJFFC) recently disbursed over D81,300 worth of transport materials to women gardeners and fisher folks in the Western Region, at a ceremony held at the Saint Joseph’s Family Farm grounds in Bwiam. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Pierre Gomez, the assistant supervisor of the farm project, urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the materials. He reminded them that the assistance is a loan, which is payable between one and two year periods, through their various marketing groups. He revealed that the project was part of Saint Joseph’s ‘Families project.’ Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alabatou Jarju of Kanwally Village, underscored the significance of the aid, expressing hope that it would ease up the transport problems that they used to encounter in their daily activities. She then commended Saint Joseph’s Family Farm for the initiative, describing it as “a step in the right direction”. Author: by Amadou Jallow Farmer Managed Irrigation Project AGM ends Tuesday, September 02, 2008 The Farmer Managed Rice Irrigation Project, on August 17, concluded its Annual General Meeting at the Brikamaba Junior Secondary School in the Lower Fulladu District, Central River Region (CRR) South. Over 200 farmers participated in the AGM. Highlighting the project’s achievements, problems, solutions, primary beneficiaries and responsibilities, the project’s monitoring and evaluation officer, Ousman Jammeh, revealed that the project was launched in 2006 together with the PIWAMP project. “The project will empower farmers in rice cultivation through developing lands, provision of tractors, power tillers, capacity building, constructing drying floors, daycare centers, and digging wells,” he revealed. He pointed out that the Rice Farmers Cooperative Society has been established and will be strengthened by the project. Among other issues discussed were the assessment of project activities by primary beneficiaries, the project’s linkages with the implementing agencies and partner responsibilities, land allocation issues, yearly plans and budget estimates and rice produce marketing strategy and sensitisation on key rice farmers cooperative society by-laws. Author: by Lamin Jawo Rural Finance Project Launched in BrikamaFriday, August 29, 2008 The Gambian government, in conjunction with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, recently launched a rural finance project in Brikama as part of their contribution to the encouragement of microfinance business in rural areas. Speaking at the ceremony, the governor of Western Region, Lamin Sanneh, urged the commercial banks to reduce interest rates in order to encourage microfinance business in The Gambia. He hailed the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development for establishing the project in Brikama which, he said, will contribute to the development of business not only in the town but in all of Western Region. For his part, the Chief of Kombo Central, Dembo Santang Bojang, hailed the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development for their benevolent contribution to the development of the country and urged the people of Brikama and its surrounding villages to make good use of the project. Author: By Lamin Darboe GAMWORKS registers success -Says DG Ebrima Cham Friday, August 29, 2008 Ebrima Cham, director general of The Gambia Agency for the Management of Public Works (GAMWORKS), has disclosed that 2007 has been a record year for his agency in terms of performance . Speaking at the GAMWORKS fourth annual general meeting held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi, yesterday, Mr Cham said during the year under review, GAMWORKS had undertaken a lot of development projects. According to Director General Cham, two new projects were entrusted to the agency by the government. He added that five new Delegated Management Contracts were signed with development partners; 300 classrooms and 2 new senior secondary schools were also built. A staff quarters was constructed to provide accommodation for 249 teachers in the provinces and 9447 pieces of furniture were supplied to schools. Mr Cham further disclosed that 35 water points have been sunk. The funds which total D182 million were received from the government of The Gambia and their development partners. Mr Cham continued that a total of D165 million was disbursed to their consultants and contractors. D2.6 million was also collected by the agency and paid in taxes to the coffers of The Gambia government. On the review of his agency’s operation, Mr Cham said, at the beginning of 2007, GAMWORKS celebrated the successful completion and closure of two major projects; the World Bank/Gambia Government funded Poverty Alleviation and Capacity Building Project (PACABP) and the second public works project which was financed by The Gambia government with assistance of the OPEC Fund for International Development. “This was followed later in the year by the beginning of two new projects, the third public works project and the reconstruction of the Westfield- Sukuta Road project,” he revealed. Mr.Cham finally commended his staff, board of directors, partners and above all, the Gambian leader Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, for his continued support towards the development of his agency. Author: by Assan Sallah Mayonnaise, ketchup factory soon
Thursday, August 28, 2008 For the first time in the history of the food manufacturing industry in The Gambia, plans are reportedly in high gears for the creation of a major mayonnaise and ketchup factory at the Kanifing Industrial Estate by December, this year. The products are some of the most widly consumed consumer goods in country, especially at restaurants and hotels. Confirming this latest development in an interview with the Daily Observer, Ousman Tasbasi, a Turkish national who is the proprietor and managing director of Timber and Funiture Company Ltd, said the proposed factory is a joint venture with a Bulgarian Food Manufacturing Company. Mr Tasbasi revealed that the project has been estimated to the tune of D10 million, adding that it will go a long way towards stemming the prices of such products in the country. “But more importantly, it will help to reduce the quantity of imported foodstuff into the country. The factory will be able to produce a large quantity of mayonnaise and ketchup that can even be exported to some other ECOWAS member states,” he told the Daily Observer. Mr Tasbasi was upbeat that the factory will also create job opportunities for many Gambian youths and boost the Gambian economy. He then used the opportunity to comment on the gains of his Timber and Furniture Company, which according to him, has buttressed his confidence in the country’s investment climate. He said since the creation of the company in 2000, it has been actively participating in a series of developmental issues. According to him, all these are possible beacuse of the support and cooperation of The Gambia government and its citizenry, who have been patronising his company since its inception. ”I will not relent in my efforts to contribute my quota in the development of the nation,” he said, saying that The Gambia is a peaceful country, where every investor should explore the vast opportunities it offers. Author: by Sheriff Barry CDDP project to support 24 villages in CRRThursday, August 28, 2008 Yusupha Manneh, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Janjangbureh Area Council has said that the Community Driven Development Project (CDDP) will start operating in 24 villages within the Janjangbureh Local Government Area in six wards. The project is meant to help the communities to initiate their own development priorities that they believe will ease the hardship encountered at grassroots level. CEO Manneh made this revelation to the Daily Observer on Wednesday at his office in Janjanbureh. He said allocation of funds will be based on the size of the Village Development Committee (VDC) and Ward Development Committee (WDC) adding that the villages and wards are not equal. “The projects to be funded at VDC level will not be less than $10,000 and at ward development committee level will not be less than US$20,000,” he revealed. He asserted that CDDP aims primarily at empowering communities to express their demands with effect and assume responsibility for their implementation and sustainability. He urged both the VDCs and WDCs to work as a team for the benefit of their communities. CEO Manneh finally stated that his council is ready to support the communities at all times. The financial controller of Kuntaur Local Government Area Council, Lamin Njie, said local government authorities will be responsible for disbursing the formula-based grants for development activities at village and ward levels. Author: by Lamin Jawo WR gets water sanitory projectMonday, August 25, 2008 The European Commission and Christian Children’s Fund (CCF), recently convened a stakeholders meeting on the water and sanitary project for Western Region, which is aimed at enhancing the sustainability of a clean water supply and sanitary facilities for the people. Speaking at the meeting, Eustace Cassell, the CCF national coordinator, said the project is meant to improve the health of the people of Western Region by ensuring access to safe-drinking water, thus reducing child mortality, as well as promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Edrisa Sanyang, the European Commission-CCF Water and Sanitary Project manager, noted that the project had registered numerous successes in the region, such as construction of wells, conducting of a base-line survey and training of hand pump technicians. He urged the people of Western Region to take ownership of the project.Sheikh Omar Dibba, the project consultant, also expressed similar remarks. For her part, Sainabou Faal, the deputy governor of Western Region, told the meeting that the project would go a long way in reducing some of the burdens of the people in the region, especially in the area of water management. Madam Fall also expressed her office’s readiness to support projects that are meant to help the people of Western Region and The Gambia as a whole. At the end of the two-day meeting in Brikama, certificates and working tools were presented to the trained pump technicians. Author: by Amadou Jallow GRCS launches project for Casamance refugeesMonday, August 25, 2008 The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) recently launched a project called Population Movement Project, at a ceremony held at Bullock Village, in Foni Berefet District, Western Region. The project is meant to provide food and sanitary facilities for refugees from Casamance, targeting 20 communities in the country. In his launch statement, Buba Darboe of GRCS Disaster Relief Committee, said the project was conceived following an assessment which was conducted in 2006 in communities that are hosting refugees. Lamin Camara, Western Region Red Cross chairperson, commended the host communities for the assistance rendered to the victims of conflict. Musa Colley, who spoke on behalf of the refugees, thanked GRCS for their invaluable services to refugees. Author: by Amadou Jallow D185,000 Water Project Completed in GunjurFriday, August 22, 2008 Gunjur,
with a population of over 18,000 people, have little access to safe drinking
water. The residents use uncovered wells as a source of water which they use
for drinking, cooking, laundry and other purposes. This is to be a thing of the
past for many residents with the unveiling of a new D185,000 water project.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the secretary general of Gunjur Satay Kafoo, Mr. Lamin Manneh, said it was a pleasure for them as concerned Gambians and Gunjurians for provide safe clean drinking water for the people. He said that the project was sponsored by 27 Gunjurian youths from both home and abroad just for the love of their country and their village. He advised the water committee and the whole community to be watchdogs of the hand pumps. According to Mr. Manneh, the Kafoo is also funding another project concurrently in Gunjur at the Nyamina football field in conjunction with the Gunjur Youth and Sport Development Association. He said that D185,000 was spent on the water project and D75,750 will go on the football field. Mr. Manneh further urged the youth of the area to contribute to and take part in the Gunjur Development fund for the betterment of the village. For his part, the chairman of the Gunjur Water Committee, Mr. Kilim Barrow, thanked the donors for their kind gesture. He called them real patriots and good sons of the land. Mr. Barrow promised that he and his committee will do their best to safeguard the pumps so that they will last a long time if not forever. He urged more young people to get involved in the committee as those currently involved are ageing. Other speakers at the ceremony included Alhagie Sheikh Saibani Cham from the council of elders, Mr. Ahmed Bojang of Gunjur Satay Kafoo and Mr. Modou Janneh a youth representative. The ceremony was graced by the presence of people from all walks of village life. Author: By Alieu Jabang Personnel Management Office Serves as Project Director –PS SallahThursday, August 21, 2008 Omar G. Sallah, the permanent secretary at the Personnel Management Office and chairman of MDI Board of Governors, has said that the Personnel Management Office serves as project director and in this capacity serves as secretary to the board and the chairman of the project steering committee which is advisory arm of the Project Management Unit. This is located at the Personnel Management Office and is under the direct management of the capacity development adviser programme manager, who also serves as secretary to the steering committee. The permanent secretary was speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day stakeholder’s workshop on public service reform and institutional capacity development project. The workshop was jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and held on Tuesday at the Atlantic Hotel, in He affirmed that in view of this situation and given the absence of a comprehensive approach to civil service reform, government willingly undertook with UNDP support in 1999 to design and implement a reform programme directed at the public service management, as part of an overall six component national government programme. He added that as the attainment of the goals of the public sector reform strategy dovetails well with the objectives of Vision 2020, the PRSP 2 and the Millennium Development Goals ( MDG’s), the UNDP country office expressed an interest in funding part of the project. “On the basis of this expression of interest, the UNDP Regional Bureau decided to initially allocate US$ 1.45 million to fund the public service reform sector component,” he stated. He said the government of The stakeholders workshop was attended all the key donor agencies including senior government officials, senior auditors, the national auditor, the dynamic staff of PMO, Journalists and representatives from UNDP. Author: By Bakary Samateh |
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