GEF (6) Land/Seascape Planning and Ecosystems Restoration Project under the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Wednesday, April 3 2024 assisted ‘Smile for Life, The Gambia Organization’ with conservation materials worth D257,000.00.
The presentation ceremony took place at the Organization’s Sea Turtle Breeding site at Sanyang Beach, Kombo South District, West Coast Region.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Mr Ousainou Touray, Project Director, G.E.F (6) Land/Seascape Planning and Ecosystems Restoration Project, said the materials presented to “Smile for Life, The Gambia Organization” are part of the GEF 6 Project.
“The Project is a five-year project with a tune of D5.6 million and it will run from 2020-2025. This project comes into being to strengthen government efforts in protecting and managing our environment,” Mr. Touray explained.
He applauded the executive Director of “Smile for The Gambia Organization” for the concern his organization has for the environment while urging them to continue with the good work.
Kaddijatou Badjie, Program Manager for Smile for Life, said protecting endangered species such as Turtles lies at the core of her organization’s mission.
She assured of her organization’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of Turtles and safeguarding their habitats for future generations to come.
Also, she assured them that the materials presented to them would undoubtedly strengthen their capacity to carry out their conservation work easily.
“Let me extend my deepest gratitude to NEA through the GEF (6) project for their unwavering support and commitment to environmental conservation in the country,” said Madam Badjie.
She, therefore, enjoyed all committing themselves to the protection of the natural world and the preservation of its fragile beauty, saying “Together we can make a meaningful impact to ensure a sustainable future of our planet and all its inhabitants.”
Mr. Lamin Komma, Program Manager and Head of Coastal and Marine Environment at NEA, Mr. Lamin Komma said NEA’s key mandate is to manage and protect the environment.
“We collaborate with all sectors to make sure that our environment is managed. We need to protect our environment for our future leaders because lots of things are going on within our environment,” Mr. Komma informed.
He advised the Organization’s Executive Director and his members not to misuse the materials presented to them but instead use them for the purpose they are meant for.
Materials presented were: 20 bicycles, 20 headlights, 20 raincoats, 20 rain boots, and 70 turtle nest information recording boards.