By Yunus S Saliu
Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT), Sahel Wetland Concern (SWC) among other partners have extolled the European Research Institute for the successful implementing of the Coastal Observer Network for Monitory the Effects of Climate Change along The Gambia River (CONNECTING) 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.
The ceremony held at the Department of Park and Wildlife Management brought together volunteers from the four identified cells in Bonto, Bintang – West Coast Region, Tendaba, Bomako – Lower River Region, officials of DPWM, MWT, SWC, consultant/trainers, ERI official among other.
Speaking at phasing-out ceremony of the European Research Institute component of the CONNECTING project, Lamin Kuru Kongira, director of Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT) welcomed all partners and expressed his perception that the site resident monitoring team will continue the work they are trained.
He assured them of MWT and SWC support whenever the need arise while he dilated on the project which he said has given a special attention to building the capacity of real concern rural population to monitor, protect and conserve biodiversity and sustainably manage the remaining natural resources by undertaking education campaigns and providing intensive training in monitoring the River Gambia Coastal Areas, collect data for management.
Mr Kongira re-outlined the overall objective of the CONNECTING project which is to enhance effective collection and transmission of data on environmentally significant events and biophysical parameters to the National Environment Agency (NEA) in order to help coastal communities along the Gambia River to adapt to impacts of climate change.
Kawsu Jammeh, director of Sahel Wetland Concern (SWC) expressed gratitude to all partners and sponsor of the CONNECTING project. He said the project now phased-out but “we have to find our own way or use our established system to continue the monitoring.”
He disclosed that lots of activities were not done but the project was meant to set a stage while he urged every trained volunteers from Bomako, Bonto, Tendaba and Bintang cells at WC and LR Regions for the Coastal Observer Network for Monitory the Effects of Climate Change along The Gambia River to see how best they can continue with what they have started.
Meanwhile, he said they will endeavour to sit with the NEA, Wildlife and other relevant institutions on what can be done to avoid a waste knowledge but to use the knowledge contribute to the development of the country.
Samba Jawo, the Country Coordinator for the European Research Institute (ERI) thanked the partners, volunteers and everyone who had one way or another made the project possible particularly the co funder of the project European Union through NAOSU – National Authorising Officer Support Unit, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, The Gambia.
He again applauded the training coordinator, researcher, and trainers for very good jobs and assured them of future collaboration while urged the volunteers to continue in their commitment as they ERI will submit its report to NEA for consideration and see how best their knowledge will be useful the NEA.
Binta Sambou, a Wildlife Conservation Officer speaking on behalf of the Department of Park and Wildlife Management said climate change has affected not only the Gambia but the whole world in so many ways that everyone can witness
“Even if you have not seen it you have heard it and been impacted directly or indirectly,” she added while thanking the MWT and SWC who were coordinating the project with the ERI and in an extension thanked the consultant and trainers for a job well done.
She further applauded the ERI collaboration with the local NGOs and the different communities of West Coast Region and Lower River Region on this project which she presumed will not end as it phased out but to go forward with all other stakeholders.
To the volunteers, she urged them not to relent in their endeavours as their career just began telling them “your interest and passion to the work matter most. You can write, take pictures, be good observant and so on that’s how you move on while equipment and other things follow as support.”
She noted that the information they are taking is not for them, the community or their regions only but for the whole Gambia as it they will be useful for the government in making decision, developing policy and programs.
Jatto Sillah, lead consultant, Alpha O Jallow, a trainer among others made a remarkable speech at the closing while they encouraged the volunteers to be steadfast and make good use of the new knowledge they have acquired through the CONNECTING Project. The volunteers from the different four cells took their time to thanked ERI, partners, and the sponsors of the project and as well stated their expectations from the relevant authorities.