By Modou Kanteh
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources, and National Assembly Matters is upbeat about the Climate Resilient Fisheries for Livelihood Improvement in The Gambia (PROREFISH Gambia) project saying she is very much optimistic that it would make a huge impact on lives and livelihoods of people that depend on the fisheries sector.
PS Roheyatou Kah made this statement recently after a nationwide tour of PROREFISH beneficiary communities in the country. She said during the implementation of the project her Ministry would work closely with FAO the implementing partner to ensure that it is successful.
‘Our Fisheries Department has required the expertise readily available to work with the FAO to attain the project’s objectives,’ PS Kah said and continued that ‘for me, the business will not be as usual at the Ministry as my team and I would ensure that after the project faces out, there is sustainability.”
The Permanent Secretary also told respective communities in the Greater Banjul Area that the government of The Gambia through her ministry is very much concerned about the welfare of Gambians, particularly women.
She pointed out that the new project has come to address and improve the fishing sector with different innovations.
“As a woman, I am happy that this project is here to uplift lives and livelihood of women,” the PS expressed.
The PROREFISH project is expected to provide solar-drying machines in fish landing sites in the Greater Banjul Area, operationalize the fish-feed processing machines in Kuloro and Jahally, build a jetty in Bintang and also the fish hatchery in Sapo.
This project is being funded by GCF and the Gambia government with a major focus on fisheries and enhancing the climate resilience of women and men in fishing communities. According to officials, these categories of people’s livelihoods are threatened by sea level rise and other climate change impacts.
About 168,000 vulnerable women and men who depend on the fisheries value chain will benefit from promoting climate-resilient aquaculture and restoring fisheries habitat among other things.