By: Haruna Kuyateh
Some 40 women oyster collectors in North Bank Region (NBR) have received donations worth D100, 000 from Njawara Agricultural Training Centre (NATC) under the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The donated items consisting of: boots, gloves, life jackets for safety at the sea and bowls were distributed among Oyster collectors of Memmeh and Sami tenda. The donations were made available under the UNDP small grant project dubbed: Community Resilience Building in Sustainable Marine Resource Management and Target.
The presentation was held in Memmeh of JokadouNorth Bank Region.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Alpha Sey,Project Manager of NATC underscored the project’scommitment towards working with oyster farmers to adopt recommended practices of promoting of preserving and protecting the ecosystem. He noted that the recent exchange with their counterparts in Kartongand Cassamace aimed to promote shared learning on best practices. He therefore called on beneficiaries to adopt lessons learnt to bring about positive behavioralchanges on oyster collection techniques and processing.
Sey noted that the presentation of gloves, boots, life jackets, bowls and improved cooking stoves would contribute to increased safety and proper processing of oyster to enhance standards and hygiene.
Sofie Jatta, Oyster farmer from Memmeh described the presentation of essential materials as timely, while stressing that life jackets and boots would boost security and protection. She uses the moment to launch an appeal for construction of toilets and water facility to help address open defecation and enhance public health.
Dominic Sanyang said lack of borehole remained a concern for oyster farmers. He uses the moment to call on development partners to provide them with boats, noting that it would contribute to safety and strengthen capacity.
Alex Sambou President of Oyster Farmers at Memmehhailed the donor for provision of life jackets, noting that 95% of boats operators cannot swim. He said provision of toilets would address open defecation and improve health of farmers.