By Binta Jaiteh
Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) has spelt out its strategies for National developments which is geared towards uniting its subsidiaries and facilitate inter group trade, enhancing collaborative efforts within the SSHFC corporate family.
The SSHFC revealed these unlocking potentials at its Family concept technical meeting held at a prestigious gathering held at the Sun Set Beach Hotel in Bakau. The event came in the wake of the successful launch of the SSHFC Family Concept on March 1, 2023, aimed at fostering intergroup trade among the diverse SSHFC subsidiaries which includes Trust Bank Gambia, Gambia Public Transport Company (GTSC), Gam Petroleum Storage Facility Company Limited, West Africa Leisure Group (Ocean Bay Hotel and Resort and Sun Beach Hotel) and ECOTRA Group Gambia Limited.
On the Ecotra Group presentation, Mr. SarjoBadjie revealed that the Ecotra Group has unveiled ambitious plans for the commencement of its commercial animal feed production by July 2024.
He said the imminent operation of the facility signifies a substantial leap forward in the company’s endeavors, boasting a commendable Animal Feed Mill Production Capacity of 15,000 Metric Tons per annum, coupled with a robust Rice Mill Production Capacity of 30,000 Metric Tons per year.
In her presentation, Njilan Senghore, Managing Director of Trust Bank made the call to action resonated strongly as it implored members of the SSHFC family to leverage these innovations.
She said that Trust Bank, positioned as a stalwart ally, expressed its unwavering commitment to providing essential support conducive to the seamless execution of business processes within the family.
She underscored the pivotal role the bank plays in facilitating the operations of businesses within the SSHFC family. She encouraged fellow members to capitalize on the same support.
‘’Trust Bank’s illustrious journey and unique achievements took center stage during the presentation, solidifying its stature as a premier financial institution in the Gambia. This recognition served as a testament to the bank’s commitment to excellence and its pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape,’’ she said.
For her part, Madam Valerie Cassell speaking on behalf of West African Leisure Group (WALG), encompassing (Ocean Bay and Ocean Bay Hotel),explained that a compelling showcase unfolded, accentuating the unparalleled offerings of these Five-Star establishments. The emphasis she said was on positioning these luxury hotels as premier venues for corporate events within the esteemed SSHFC family.
She went on to say that a notable proposal put forth involved the introduction of a co-branded debit card, tailor-made to augment intergroup trade, offering exclusive discounts to member institutions.
“Strategic collaboration with Trust Bank was suggested to establish a specialized account catering to the financial needs of hotel staff, inclusive of access to loans and comprehensive financial educationalprograms,” she added.
Mr. Yerro Jallow , Managing Director of Gam Petroleum highlighted its pivotal role in furnishing storage facilities for imported fuel, underscoring the ongoing strategic backing from SSHFC.
“The company articulated its eagerness to delve into additional collaborations with the Gambia Transport Service Company. Additionally, Gam Petroleum outlined potential investment prospects for members of the SSHFC family, including the conversion of its Banjul depot into a prominent office complex available for leasing,” he revealed.
The proposal he said also encompassed the acquisition of state of-the-art fuel tankers to facilitate the transportation of fuels across local and regional domains.
For his part, Mustapha Colley of the GTSC said that his company has underscored its pivotal role in driving the socio-economic development of The Gambia. He said as the preeminent road transport entity in the nation, the company showcased notable recent achievements.
Managing Director of Social Security Housing and Finance Corporation Malang Saloum emphasized on the incredible strides achieved by the SSHFC Family Group with emphasis on the pivotal role played by The Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) in facilitating seamless movement of goods and services within the country and the broader sub-region.
MD Malang detailed on expansions, such as doubling the daily GTSC buses to Dakar and back from two to four, as well as the forthcoming route from Banjul to Touba in Senegal.
‘’The procurement of modern buses with state-of-the-art facilities. The GTSC Kairaba’s fleet boasts cutting-edge amenities, including onboard internet connectivity and state-of-the-art LCD entertainment screens.”
He explained that GTSC has innovatively implemented solar-powered bus stops, equipped with convenient facilities for customers to charge their electronic devices and illuminate the surroundings while awaiting the arrival of the buses.
He also affirmed the Corporation’s commitment to extending social security services to the informal sector, showcasing its pioneering efforts in integrating non-formal workers, including market vendors and individuals from varied socio-economic backgrounds.
He buttress on the establishment of a dedicated committee tasked with orchestrating strategic initiatives to realize their objective. He highlights the SSHFC interest in investing in the health sector by giving considerations to the shortage of key medical scanning facilities such as CT Scanners, MRI, Mammography, Ultrasound Scanners, Endo-cardiography scanners in the country.
“SSHFC is considering investments in this domain (depending on viability) to provide cutting-edge medical scanning equipment, addressing a current void within the domestic market for reasonable returns on members’ fund within the shortest possible time,” he assured.
He urged the SSHFC Family members to foster intergroup trade initiatives, envisioning a mutually beneficial scenario for all stakeholders. Expressing gratitude for their attendance, he reassured members of SSHFC’s unwavering commitment to supporting its various subsidiaries and companies in which it holds majority shares. He affirmed the collective dedication to advancing the group’s overall success and impact.