James Gomez, Minister for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters has disclosed that $38.5 million grants have been received by The Gambia government from the African Development Bank towards the financing of Climate Smart Rural WASH Project as well as another $4million from the Saudi Sahel Project (SSP).
Minister Gomez has these disclosures at a presser in his office at Banjul on Tuesday, 24th October, 2018. According to him, efforts are underway to apply for new grants from Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund towards the financing of the Climate Smart Rural WASH Project, adding that Gambia government-UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation agreement will also provide fifty three (53) well-constructed toilets for fifty (52) schools across the country.
“The ministry is pleased to inform the general public that the Republic of The Gambia has received grants from the African Development Bank towards the financing of Climate Smart Rural WASH Project. In addition, the government intends to apply for grants from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund towards the financing of the same project. The total project cost is estimated at net of account EUR 27.47million equivalent to USD 38.5million,” Fisheries Minister Gomez disclosed.
Climate Smart Rural WASH Project, Minister Gomez continues will increase sustainable access to safe water by 17% and access to safely managed sanitation by 2%, enhance services delivery capacity in the sector and improve livelihoods through nurturing safe water and sanitation services with related opportunities for women and youth employment.
“ The project activities will include; water and sanitation infrastructure and services development, waste management and services, waste resources management, environmental and climate change adaptation and capacity building including empowering local communities to become active partners,” Gomez revealed.
Hon. Gomez also disclosed that the 5th phase of the Saudi Sahel Project has also started at the tune of $4million and is expected to last for a period of eighteen months, stating that the project is expected to provide 25 Water Reticulation System which will includes, overhead water tanks, drilling of boreholes and the installation of pipe network.
The Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters also disclosed at the presser that works are at advance stage to completing fifty three (53) well-constructed toilets for fifty (52) schools across the country under The Gambia government-UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation agreement, adding that over twenty six thousand Gambian pupils will benefit from this project.
“These new toilets blocks are constructed with ceramic slabs, floor tiled, disable squat, menstrual carbines for girls and hand washing facilities,” Minister Gomez Revealed.
Author: Kebba Ansu Manneh