By Kemo Kanyi
Boto Bojang, councilor for Sanyang ward, has inaugurated a borehole in Banyaka village that aims at addressing water shortage in the community. The initiative was supported by Gammol, a philanthropic organisation based in the Gambia, Bojang told the Voice in an exclusive interview.
The ward councilor said that after his election into office, he went round with his team to map out areas in dare need of some basic needs, where they found out that the Banyaka community was using wells as source of water which the team felt needed to be addressed.
“We called all stakeholders who are living within the ward, especially those who are dealing with development. We share all the information we gathered with them so that they extend their hands to our developmental aspirations for the ward.” He said he personally wrote to Gammol, informing them that the Banyaka community was using wells to draw water for drinking and preparing meals, they needed clean and safe drinking water and their intervention was needed. Bojang disclosed that the organisation surveyed the place and later approved his application. Gammol later dug two boreholes that distribute clean drinking water across 30 taps in the community of Banyaka.
“These boreholes cost about D2, 000,000.00. We cannot do it alone. We have seventeen villages in the Sanyang ward, and they are very big ones, the likes of Farato, Jambur, Tanji, Jambanjelly, and many others,” he explained. “At the moment, there is a need for water supply in different communities because NAWEC water supply doesn’t reach some of the communities. So we feel challenged to serve them.” He therefore called for more support from philanthropic organizations towards helping many areas within his ward.
When asked about what his ward committee is doing for the sustainability of the project, he said they engaged the village development committee of Banyaka to be charging a reasonable amount from the beneficiaries that will be saved into the VDC’s account as funds to repair any damages. He maintained that both the Alkalo and VDC of Banyaka assured him their commitment to ensure the sustainability of the project.
Sanna Camara, the Alkalo of Banyaka, and Lamin Camara, the Chairperson of Banyaka Village Development Committee, expressed delight in receiving the gesture through the ward councilor. They both thanked philanthropy Gammol, and the ward councilor for the support.