By: Momodou Justice Darboe
President Adama Bah has entreated the people of Kombo to take full ownership of the sea and its resources by assuming vanguard roles in artisanal fisheries.
The President revealed that the Ministry of Fisheries has in the pipeline plans to roll out training programs to the youth of Kombo as well as to provide them with fishing boats to better equip them with knowledge and material resources. This, the Gambian leader added, is borne out of his government’s desire to make them skilled and passionate fishermen.
“What we want to tell the people of Kombo is that your sea is a diamond and gold. I would like to plead with you to make the best of the sea. Whenever the Senegalese go back to Senegal, there is no fish and that is surprising. You [Kombonkas] are here and you cannot provide fish,” the President said on Monday as he delivered a speech at the joint meeting of Kombo South and Sanimentereng on Monday as part of his Meet-The-People tour.
“The water resources ministry wants to bring big boats here. We want to train the youths to become knowledgeable in and passionate about fishing. If the youths of Kombo are knowledgeable in fishing, we can come up with a law to introduce a fishing license that can be issued to only Gambians but that cannot happen without [Gambian] fishermen,” the Gambian leader stressed.
Meanwhile, according to President Barrow, his government will not relent on its ongoing infrastructural development.
“I told the minister [minister of works] that we will continue the work. Elections and national development are different. I have been entrusted with the mantle of leadership. If you are entrusted with the position of leadership even for a day, that’s a huge honor. I want to assure you that whether you vote for me or not, there will be no let-up in development because it’s only Gambia that I see and I want everyone to see Gambia,” Mr. Barrow stated.
He pointed out that the schools, health installations, universities, and roads that his government built in Kombo are unprecedented in Gambia’s history.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Tanji Alkalo, Tanji resident Cherno Bojang said: “The school you built here is like gold for Tanji. Our children used to go further afield to attend school. We thank you very much for that. Our next pressing issue is the road linking the beach, Madyana, and Tujereng. We would also like to seek support from you for the construction of a market and garage. The youths don’t have a football field. We also have experienced young fishermen here but they lack materials. We want you to help them with boats and fishing gear. No one is in doubt about your achievements here in development terms.”
For her part, Lady Councillor Sainabou Mendy acknowledged what, she called, the transformative projects that the President executed in the country.
“Whether you accept it or not, lots of transformative projects have been accomplished. However, the people of Bijilo said they do not have a health center. As a result, women sometimes give birth in vehicles. We would like to appeal to the youth to stop embarking on Backway journeys but we appeal to you to help us with a skills centre. The market at Sukuta is closed and we don’t know why.”
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Sarjo Saidy advised the youth to respect the authorities.
He disclosed that the youth of Kombo South will soon set the ball rolling for a legal migration project which, he said, will be dedicated to the President.