By Kebba Ansu Manneh
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on Monday, February 6, 2023, plays host to visiting Turkish engineers who are in the country to visit and access disaster-prone areas within the Greater Banjul Areas.
The delegation is in the country courtesy of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and is scheduled to meet stakeholders including the Governor of West Coast Region (WCR), Lord Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) among others at the national quest in mitigating and reducing disaster risks in the country.
Speaking at a brief welcoming ceremony held at the offices of the NDMA, Sanna Dahaba, Executive Director of the Agency hailed the vital role played by the late Vice President of The Gambia, Badara Alieu Joof in attracting the Turkish delegation to the Gambia, noting that the delegation comprises of engineers with broad knowledge in disaster mitigation and reduction.
According to him, the recent flash floods and windstorms that characterized the last rainy season resulting in loss of valuables and inundation across the country have motivated his agency to seek help from TIKA with the view to finding lasting solutions in addressing disasters in the country.
He added that as a result of the request TIKA responded by sending a team of engineers into the country to help with accessing and mapping out the real issues that result in annual disasters experienced in the country.
He further disclosed that the visiting Turkish Engineers will be working for hand in glove with local engineers during their stay in the country, noting that some of the disaster-prone areas that are to be visited include; Brikama Jambarr Sanneh, Abuko Abu Sey, Tawto, Jabang, Labakoreh, Tanjie, Ebo Town, Bakau, Old and New Jeswang among others.
Dawda Ceesay, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Vice President also hailed the efforts of the late Vice President in seeking the attention of the Turkish Government in supporting the Gambian Government to address the root causes of disasters in the country, recalling that the former Vice President held series of engagement with Turkish official during his last October visit to Ankara with the view to addressing the condition and concerns of residents of disaster-prone areas.
PS Ceesay further stated that the coming of the Turkish delegation to the Gambia demonstrates the commitment of the Turkish Government in supporting the country to address disaster risks in the country, emphasizing that the delegation’s visit to the country is made possible due largely to the efforts of the former Vice President as well as the unwavering efforts of the NDMA.
Gevher Ebru, TIKA official and head of the visiting delegation, and Serign Falu Njie also spoke at the brief ceremony that was also witnessed by officials of the National Roads Authority (NRA) among other local engineers.