By Yunus S Saliu
Taken into consideration the important of product development, community base and domestic tourisms in the country, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture with its satellite institutions, Gambia Tourism Board, Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute and National Center for Arts and Culture, Friday and Saturday laid the foundation stones of the two eco tourism park and camp’s in two different regions across the country.
Friday and Saturday the foundation stones for the Jimara Eco Tourism Park in Kunkilling Eco Tourism Forest Park in Central River Region and the Fulladu Tourism Camp at Sotuma …. in Upper River Region was laid by Minister Hamat NK Bah.
The two ceremonies were witnessed by governors, their deputies from the regions, chiefs, member of the area councils, representative from the forestry department, Alkalos, directors and officials of GTHI, GTBoard and NCAC and as well contractors and residents of the host communities among others.
Addressing the gathering at the two ceremonies he described the project as unique as it encompasses all sectors and the communities.
Under the leadership of President Adama Barrow he said tourism and culture in the Gambia has become a sector many countries wanted to associate with, emulate by following the sector’s footstep in particular, when we have such present crisis facing the world.
In spite of Covid-19 impact, he said it has given an opportunity to the sector to think ahead about new ways of doing things. He noted that crisis can be opportunities for people to grab and move on.
He encouraged stakeholders to see how best to lift up tourism from it kneels and make it sustainable.
“As a Ministry is our responsibility to device new ways new policies to address such situation it is one of the reason domestic and regional tourism is a key for The Gambia. And domestic tourism cannot happen in the absence of proper infrastructure,” Minister Bah noted.
Minister Bah thanked the gathering and as well encouraged the contractor to do good job and deliver on time and also to give opportunity to the residents of the communities when it comes to recruitment of workers for the job.
The Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Governor of CRR, Deputy Governor of URR, Director Generals of GTBoard, GTHI, NCAC, contractor, Alkalos, VDC chairpersons, National Assembly member among other notable people made remarks at the laying of the foundation stone ceremonies held in both Central River Region and Upper River Region on Friday and Saturday respectively.