By Yunus S Saliu
In keeping with its promise and mandate of greening the Banjul, the City Link Ostend-Banjul Project known as Future Proof Banjul, Saturday, 12th December, 2020 launched its trees planting exercise called Greening of the Inner City to save Banjul in Kent Street.
The official launching of the program marked the 3rd Phase of greening the city of Banjul exercise. In both first and second phase of the exercise 5,000 Coconut trees and 5,000 Mangroves was planted along the beachside coastline.
Rationale behind this trees planting is to make the beach more resilient in the face of sea level rise and create nice and cooler environment and also the coconuts will be an engine for economic growth and contribute to food security within the city.
Speaking on behalf of the Mayor of Banjul, Omar B Touray, deputy Mayor of Banjul appealed to Gambians to take the project serious “as Banjul is not only for Banjulians.”
He noted that climate change is real and Banjul is below sea level.
The Deputy Mayor therefore advised the Green Banjul Team not to let down their counsellors “it is your responsibility to take up the project as you are all native of Banjul.”
Pa Babou Cham, Counsellor of Banjul South thanked Ostend for their tremendous supports and as well extended appreciation to project team under Future Proof Banjul for job well done.
Mr Jonas representative of Ostend City Council expressed delight over the exercise and for being part of it since begin of the first phase of the tree planting program in the city.
He described the activity as a very important exercise for the future of the city and residents and as well people visiting the city.
With the importance attaches to it, he said it is an EU project implemented by the Future Proof Banjul “and I’m happy to see that it brings everyone together,” he expressed.
With confidence, he hopes the partnership would last forever despite the fact that Covid-19 has slowdown things a bit “but the future is bright,” he assured.
Alfusainey Gano, Project Manager of Future Proof Banjul, highlighted on the activity of the project.
He stated that the City Link Ostend-Banjul Project is sponsored by the EU and funded to the tune of over €3million with five different components which will last till 2022.
The project manager outlined the five components which include good governance, transforming Crab Island to a sustainable hub, developing the environment through greening Banjul City, improved the city waste management, and also accessible specialized health care.
