By Yunus S Saliu
To enhance the monitoring of the established four cells in villages in Lower River and West Coast Regions under the Coastal Observer Network for Monitoring the Effects of Climate Change along the Gambia River (CONNECTING) Project, the European Research Institute (ERI) in partnership with Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT) and Sahel Wetland Concern (SWC) have distributed bicycles to the volunteers of the Tendaba, Bomako, Bonto and Bintang cells Kiang and Tendaba in Lower River Region respectively.
The aim of this is to enhance them in their monitory and data collection activities at their various established cells – Tendaba, Bomako, Bonto and Bintang. CONNECTING Project is co-funded by the National Authorising Officer Support Unit (NAOSU) at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, The Gambia, working within the framework of the GCCA+ Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone Project for The Gambia.
Handing over the bicycles to the 24 community-based Coastal Observer volunteers in an event that took place in Tendaba, Lower River Region and at Abuko Nature Reserve, West Coast Region (on different occasions), Samba Jawo, Country Coordinator for Europian Research Institute applauded the volunteers for their voluntary services to the project – Coastal Observer Network for Monitoring the Effects of Climate Change along the Gambia River.
He iterated that the bicycles that are given to them are to help them in their monitoring and data collection works, especially since they have completed the training program, both theory and practical, on the monitoring of the established coastal cells along the Gambia River.
He, therefore, reminded them of coastal management observers’ functions which include ensuring that all environmental regulations are adhered to.
Kuru Lamin Kongira, the training coordinator on behalf of the partners, Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT) and Sahel Wetland Concern (SWC) thanked ERI for the project co-funded by European Union through NAOSU – National Authorising Officer Support Unit, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, The Gambia, within the framework of the GCCA+ Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone Project for The Gambia.
In an extension, he thanked the trainers for the job well done, while volunteers expressed gratitude especially for having the opportunity to be part of the exercise.