Authorities in North Bank Region, NBR in The Gambia and Nioro in Senegal committed themselves to address environmental hazards for the community of Mbapa Mariga and Mbapa Senegal.
They made these commitments during a held one day stakeholders meeting to map out strategies and intervention measures of addressing environmental hazards poised to the community of Mbapa Mariga in Gambia and Mbapa in Senegal.
The convergence came as result of the efforts of National Assembly Member for Sabach Sanjal Hon. Ousman Touray and his counterpart in Nioro Monsieur Malao Sowe National Assembly for Nioro.
However the initiative would contribute to strengthen bilateral relationship between the two countries and promote technician and other stakeholders to embrace solidarity and consolidate the existing bilateral relationship.
The meeting was an invitation of Hon. Malao Sowe of Nioro, to bring technician and stakeholders including farmers to discussed and share experience and knowledge on how to find lasting solution to the environmental problem that affects the lives of the two communities for decades.
The cross border convergence as headed by the Regional Governor NBR Ebrima KS Dampha, chairman of Kerewan Area Council, NAM Hon. Ousman Touray of Sabach Sanjal, NEA, Forestry, NEMA Soil Conversion Unit, Security, Department of Community of Development and farmers of Mbapa Mariga.
NBR, Governor Ebrima KS Dampha lauded the excellence relationship that exists between the two countries. He noted that the forum demonstrated people’s commitment of consolidating regional integration and to the restoration of lost forest and soil covers to enhance food and human security.
He commended the legislators of Sabach Sanjal and Nioro for their foresight in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the peoples along the border line of Nioro and North Bank Region.
Papa Malick, Ndao Prefet of Nioro in Senegal reiterated the important of strengthens relationship to higher height in improving lives of our peoples along the border lines.
He expressed the need for technicians from the environment and other key institutions to holistically come up with tangible plan that would address the long standing challenge poised to the affect communities, as a result of gully erosion.
The Nioro meeting is expected to help in mobilizing resources to addressing the environmental problems that poised threat to human and animal’s lives.
Abdlie Bah Mayor of Nioro has underscored the significant of partnership with technician of the two states along the border to bring about positive impact on the lives of farmers.
He believed Nioro meeting would obvious contribute to bring about meaningful development on the lives of peoples. Whilst thanks the communities of Mbapa Mariga and Mbapa Senegal for their cooperation and unity.
Hon. Ousman Touray National Assembly Member for Sabach Sanjal expressed delight on the partnership and hope the technical meeting would bring positive turn around on the lives of peoples.
He noted that the impact of gully erosion has affected food production, loss of animals and divide community as they find it difficult to reach to one to another. He hailed his counterpart Malao Sowe for funding the technical meeting and assured of his fullest support to strengthen the cooperation.
Hon. Malao Sowe Depute’ of Nioro Senegal noted that the action would help to accelerate grassroots development and help to foster cooperation and by extension complement the efforts President Barrow and Sall.
He noted that there is need for all hand to be deck to support authorities of two countries to ensure fair treatment of citizens of each country, noting that it would strengthen regional integration.
Malamin IL Bojang chairman of Kerewan Area Council said the meeting will help to mitigate the effect of climate change and enhance food production and productivity. He informs the meeting that his council is working hard to construct market and new car park, following the completion of Trans Gambia Bridge.
Author: Haruna Kuyateh, in NBR