Considering the significant role the police can play to the protection of life and property in the community, the Chairman of Wellingara Village Development Committee, Mr Samba Bah, is drumming up support for the completion of the new Wellingara police station complex.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with this paper, Mr Bah, who doubles as the head of community policing in Wellingara, explained that the construction of a police station is part of national development and called on the community of Wellingara and all those concerned about national and personal security to lend a hand to the building of a police station in Wellingara.

“The Alkalo of Wellingara has allocated a plot of land for the building of a new police station in the community. It is, therefore, ideal for the community to participate fully in the project so we can realise our wishes of crime-free society for all,” he added.

Mr Bah made a passionate appeal to the community to regard the police as partners and not otherwise. “The police are out to protect everyone and thank God people are beginning to realise this. There is definitely an overwhelming need for the community to work in tandem with the police for the common good,” he said.

On environmental cleanliness, Mr Bah appealed to the community of Wellingara to always respond to the clarion call of President Jammeh for environmental cleanliness. He described the anti-littering bill as an important step closer to achieving a malaria-free society.

UNDP recently supplied a significant quantity of beekeeping equipment to the beekeepers association in their office in the Senegambia area with lots of dignitaries in attendance.

Ousman Joof, an extension worker at the National Beekeepers Association of The Gambia, said, “the new supplies will benefit the National Beekeepers Association of The Gambia (NBAG) by improving production and increasing facilities. The gift is greatly appreciated by NBAG. The responsibility for the youth groups’ beekeeping activity would be taken very seriously.”

Nicolas Wilson, a Peace Corps Volunteer stationed at NBAG, took the opportunity to try and recruit the youth groups as members of NBAG. He promised to fulfill the previous undertakings by UNDP including support and training in beekeeping as well as an equal share in the new materials donated by UNDP.

Lamin Tamba, UNDP Programme Director and a member of the NBAG    Board of Directors, outlined the purpose and origin of the UNDP’s youth project in The Gambia. He said, “NBAG is the umbrella group of beekeeping in the country. The coordination of the youth project is now solely the responsibility of NBAG.” Tamba was keen to stress that the hand-over is not the end of the association between NBAG and UNDP but the beginning of a new partnership that will support youth projects and beekeeping in the country. Tamba further extolled the benefits of beekeeping in The Gambia as a key part of the country’s agricultural development that could be developed into a unique source of income for the country. He assured NBAG of UNDP’s support. “The ceremony and meeting mark the combined commitment of UNDP and NBAG to agriculture in The Gambia.” He said.

Modou Sowe, NEYC of Essau Group, expressed gratitude and said beekeeping had already earned his community the sum of D11, 000. He thanked UNDP for the materials.

The gift of materials included honey jars, lines, bee suits and various tools, which NBAG aims to distribute equally among youth groups in North Bank, URR, Kartong and other areas.

Ousman Joof drew the company’s attention to the work of Peter Graham-Matheson, representing Mondo Challenge UK, who maintains a continuing interest in and support of NBAG.

Gambia College is holding a graduation ceremony this month for the students who have successfully completed their three years of studying with the college.

Preparations are currently under way ahead of this overwhelmingly significant event in the calendar of The Gambia College. The Principal of the college, Dr. Badou AB Senghore and the Head of School for Education and Agriculture, Madame Isatou Ndow confirmed that The Gambia College is working hard to hold the graduation ceremony on the 5th of April, 2008 in the college grounds.

When speaking to some outgoing students recently they told this reporter that the graduation ceremony will be a historic event in their lives. They added that they are very grateful to the lecturers and administration of The Gambia College for giving them knowledge and support during their three years of studies. “We are ready to serve the knowledge we have gained here in the college to the children of The Gambia”, they promised.

Meanwhile, The Gambia College has introduced a new course in animal husbandry to the School of Agriculture.