By: Mariama Njie
Gambia Ports Authority on Thursday handed over two trucks worth D8 million to Banjul City Council. The handing over ceremony of the trucks took place in Banjul City Council.
The trucks are meant to help the council in collecting garbage within the capital city.
Speaking during the handing over of the trucks, Mustapha Batchilly, chief executive officer of BCC reiterated the strong bond of relationship between the two institutions.
“We are working tireless to tackle issues affecting Banjul City, more especially the waste and water fronts,” he noted.
Ousman Jobarteh, Managing Director of GPA, said: “the two trucks cost about D8 million, but it is a mega contribution to the city’s development objective.”
He added that it was a momentous occasion for GPA in their partnership which he referred to as Integrated Ports and City Council Sustainable Development Project. This called a mega donation to the city in its effort to ensure cleanliness of the city of Banjul.”
Mr Jobarteh called for regeneration in Banjul as their objective is to make Banjul more habitable so that people who have relocated elsewhere may want to come back and live in the city.
He said they are looking at ways of expanding the city, like the water front areas and the bond folders which are areas they would focus more.
Representing the Ministry of Local Government, David Gomez said waste collection and managing it has been a challenge in the country. He said “waste should be seen as everybody’s business not only for the resident of Banjul but other residents alike.”
“Waste may be a national challenge but equally a local challenge therefore each and every one of us has a responsibility to treat our waste in a sensible matter,” he said.
