By: Haruna Kuyateh
Kerewan Area Council has distributed foodstuff including 800 bags 25kilos of rice, onions and vegetable cooking oil worth D618, 000 to communities in the region. The distributed food stuffs were meant to help the vulnerable citizens amid the coronavirus.
The food aid was donated by GCCI, TAF and Bankers Association in conjunction with the Council as they – GCCI, TAF and Bankers Association contributed D350,000 while Kerewan Area Council also contributed D318,000.
Speaking at the presentation, Malamin IL Bojang, Chairman of Kerewan Area Council, described the gesture as significance, as the food aid would help vulnerable families to stay at home and uphold the WHO and Ministry of Health guidelines to control the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
As government cannot do it alone, he called for more supports of such amid of the pandemic.
H explained that “Prior the distribution of the rice, the council has provided over D90,000 to the Regional Taskforce on Covid-19 and has also distributed sanitary materials and water tanks in all the seven districts to help promote hand washing and hygienic practices to control the spread of Covid-19 in the region”
Seedy Touray, Chief Executive Officer of the KAC hailed the donors for the foresight of extending support to local councils, adding “Covid-19 has seriously affected all sectors of the economy and council was hard hit.”
Speaking on behalf of the council’s task force, Lamin Saidy, Regional Disaster Management Coordinator, commended the efforts of the Council and partners for the gesture in complementing NDMA efforts.
Kebba Sawaneh Saaba,Ward Councilor and Alpha Khan former Ward Councilor for Kerr Jarga, both commeneded the efforts of the Council and as well challenged Ward Concilors to ensure that the food reach the most vulnerable families and not based on political line.
Aja Gass Lowe Women Bureau focal point in NBR described the Council’s support to women farmers in form of buying their farm produce has demonstrated their concern for women.
