By Binta Jaiteh
Ahmed Talib Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a D13 million worth Assembly Hall at the Charles Jaw Memorial Academy School, Bundung.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Bensouda noted that the credit does not belong to him saying it is a collective responsibility, “building an Assembly Hall in a school is not a privilege but a right as far as the school is concerned and it is found in the Kanifing Municipality. It is a duty bound to build it for the benefit of the students.”
He said with a minimum capacity of one thousand people, this project will be completed in 2024. This is a multipurpose hall not only for assembly meetings with other issues that represent the diverse interest of the students.
He went on that the school’s reputation has gone beyond regional borders not based on the infrastructure as people noted that our intention regarding this school is great with the hope a lot more will be done if the resources are available.
However, he assured of pushing for more partnerships and grant funding to ensure that facilities come to the school so that it can go higher. “As we speak my municipality is investing a lot in the education sector in building the biggest public library in the history of The Gambia. It is currently under construction and will be completed next year with an amount of D43 million,” he added.
Madam Mariama Chaw, representative of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE) said the Ministry is pleased to see another development for the school and an assembly hall.
She, therefore, expressed delight in witnessing the laying of the foundation stone of the hall.
Lamin Darboe councilor of Bundung said the issue of the Assembly Hall has been a big challenge and long overdue.
This project, he said, is very important to the people of the school because they never dream of having such a project in the school. “So, this will serve as a tool in helping to build the capacity of the students who are the future leaders of tomorrow, we are honored and delighted to this great initiative,” he expressed appreciation of the school management and staff.