The recent announcement by the Executive Director of the National Environment Agency (NEA) that his office, in partnership with the municipal councils, public health authorities, and Department of physical planning will embark on a massive enforcement campaign on the Anti-Littering Regulation immediately after the rainy season particularly in the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) and other major growth centres throughout the country is very welcome indeed.

Momodou B. Sarr made this declaration at the opening ceremony of a two-day sensitisation training workshop for the KMC Fans Club recently held at the President’s International Award Scheme in Bakau.

We see great work done once a month with regard to cleaning the environment during Set-Setal but to gain any real foothold in the fight against litter we must enforce these laws. The government was obviously well aware that the best way to combat litter is to prevent it being thrown in the first place and introduced this legislation to address the issue. It must be ensured that this excellent legislation is used to the fullest degree so we can keep our streets clean and beautiful. Our tourist industry will inevitably suffer if people travel from Europe on to find litter all over our streets here in The Gambia.

Another excellent aspect of the legislation is the fines that are imposed. These will prove to be an additional boost to the coffers of the various area councils.

The NEA boss also said another serious public nuisance is the discharge of wastewater from compounds into the public street. This practice is against the law and is now punishable with fines of up to D5000. Furthermore he said litter is also much more expensive to manage because each piece of litter is generally hand-picked, which is time-consuming and unnecessarily expensive of tax-payers. “In The Gambia, the complaint from the general public has been that there aren’t enough dustbins in the streets for the public to throw their litter. That problem is gradually being addressed with the placement of more dustbins at strategic locations within the KMC. But it should not be used as an excuse for littering as all of us have a moral obligation to keep our environment clean and green,” he said. These are extremely wise words. Perhaps there is a role for the private sector in this crusade. If business owners place dustbins outside their premises it would greatly reduce the instance of litter on our streets.

To fully tackle this issue we must all work together and take collective responsibility. The environment belongs to us all and we should help each other to protect it.

His Eminence the Cardinal priest of Dakar yesterday received a thunderous welcome from the airport to the Shalom Retreat Centre at Fajara his base for the three-day visit.

Theodore Adrien Cardinal Sarr, with his entourage was yesterday received at the airport by thousands of Christians and Muslims as they landed on the Gambian soil. According to observers, the Cardinal’s welcome is synonymous with the religious tolerance exercised in The Gambia.

The lay faithful and the religious and Bishop Patrick Bobby Ellison CSSp. Were among a government delegation to welcome the Cardinal priest and his entourage. As it is common of the Serrers , music and dancing ensued as soon as the Cardinal landed. The place became jubilant and everyone joined in. Many young boys and girls followed behind the car on foot before they joined their cars or buses.

Those in Lamin both Muslims and Christians thronged the road singing and dancing. Some had masks dancing in joy. This continued amidst praying for him.

According to Rev. Fr. Peter Stephen Lopez said, “The Cardinal’s visit is meant  to strengthen the  faith and the already existing cordiality between Christians and Muslims in the country and the help given to us by Muslims to welcome this great man. We are delighted.”

Fr. Bruno Toupan the principal of the St. Peter’s Senior Secondary School, who is part of the organising committee for His Eminence’s visit, said “I am glad he finally came. I welcome the thunderous support from the Gambian people. This is a strong solidarity in our country and it will go a long way. We believe in our people and the government. The escort provided by the government is commendable and it shows the cordiality between the Christians and Muslims of our beloved country. His Eminence has a good number of programmes to follow, including a mass at Lamin where he will confirm some candidates on Saturday at 4pm. He will celebrate the Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. WE welcome everybody to those occasions.”

Aunty Claudette Johnson, a parishioner at Star of the Sea, president of the Lectors of that parish and member of the Cluny Associates, said, “We are waiting for the Cardinal’s blessings. We are delighted that some people are seeing cardinal. The joy of Christ is in all who come for this programme.” However, the Cardinal will return on Sunday after meeting with the President.

In what could be described as a welcome development in the Gambian airline industry and a cause of joy and hope for travellers, a new airline known as Intercontinental Airways will be opening soon, this paper can confirm.

The officials of the new airline yesterday briefed journalists at the head office adjacent to the Fajara war cemetry on the operations of the airline whose slogan is ‘Connecting the World.’

Mr Aziz Willan, who chaired the briefing session, expressed his conviction that with the coming of Intercontinental Airways the country’s air transportation industry will recieve a big boost. The launching of the new airline, he said, would facilitate and consolidate the country’s resolve to provide solutions in accessing and connecting nation states and communities.  “As concerned Africans, improvement in the areas of air transport is one critical challenge requiring our concerted efforts in driving the investment and expansion of our respective economies. This brings me to the role of ECOWAS here in our sub-region,” Mr Willan remarked before extending warm welcome to the new airline to The Gambia.

The Managing Director of the airline, Captain Walter Okakpu, stated that the airline’s coming to The Gambia is a moment of extreme joy for all air travellers. He said that their airline is safe and cost-effective.  “We have [a commitment] to maintain safety, that’s why we choose The Gambia as the country’s aviation industry is also effective,” he explained.

He revealed that they have a lot of innovative packages for prospective customers, such as free flights. “Initially we will be operating with foreign pilots while our pilots undergo training.  This is a unique opportunity for those who want to work hard to come and join us,” he said, assuring customers of effective and reliable customer satisfaction.

Captain Henry Ogunyemi, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, said that customers could buy their tickets from Guaranty Trust Bank, IBC or better still purchase it much cheaper on the Internet from anywhere in the world.

Commenting on the logistics, Captain Ogunyemy disclosed that they have two 737 aircraft, one of which would commence flying on June 15th 2008.  Their planes, he added, would be flying to seven destinations including Freetown, Dakar, Abijan, Accra and Lome. This, he noted, would be followed by another seven destinations among which would be Ireland, Jedda, US, UK, Dubai, among others.  “For Continental Airways, we are here to stay,” he assured.

 The historic occasion was attended by the Managing Directors of Guaranty Trust Bank and International Bank for Commerce.