By: Haruna Kuyateh
Action Aid International – The Gambia Juffureh Office in collaboration with stakeholders, on Tuesday, visited different project sites which include Chilla Jurunku Livestock and Horticulture Development Project (LHDP), Pakau Njogu Basic Cycle School, Bakalarr and Mamuda crossing point, Road linking Bakalarr to Hakalang Highway and Police and Immigration Stations at Albreda in Upper Nuimi in the North Bank Region.
The visit formed part of an information gathering to hear and see development challenges ahead in an interface between duty bearers and right holders coming up in Albreda.
The team visited the sites comprised of the select committee on agriculture and Environment at the National Assembly, the Regional Agriculture Director, Kerewan, NDMA, KerewanArea Council, women, youths, and councillors.
Aja Yamoundow Drammeh, a women leader disclosed that the garden was sponsored by the Livestock and Horticulture Development Project (LHDP) in 2014, with the ultimate objective of promoting vegetable production.
She alluded to the fact that the garden supported women for three years, but due to the poor quality of work and boreholes, those women abandoned the garden and called for support.
Modou Sillah, VDC Chairman said the rehabilitation of the garden would contribute to women’s empowerment and nutritional development of families.
Karamo Minteh, Regional Agriculture Director described the outreach as important, saying it has informed him of the current status of the garden.
Momodou S Joof, Principal of Pakau Njogu Basic Cycle School urged the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to construct more infrastructure, furniture, toilet facility, and water supply to respond to the growing needs of 560 pupils in the area. He thanked the community of Pakau Njogu for their invaluable support to the school and applauded YasallyCharitable Foundation for their invaluable support of the educational needs of the children.
The Alkalo, Lamin Manneh, Mariama Jawara, women leaders of Bakalarr launched a passionate appeal to the government to construct a 3km road between Bakalarr and Mamuda with a bridge.
Hon. Omar Darboe National Assembly member of Upper Nuimi, Ismaila Sonko, an Ambulance driver at Nema KunkuHealth Centre, and Saikou Darboe Manager at Action Aid Office Juffureh among others commented on the Bakalarr to Hakalang Highway which connected 20 other settlements.