By Tijan S. Touray
The Brikama Area Council (BAC) commemorated the World International Water Day at the council’s chambers on Saturday.
The World Water Day is set aside by the United Nations (UN) and it’s observed on the 22nd of March annually to highlight the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources and this year’s theme was Access to Clean Drinking Water: A Fundamental Human Rights.
Speaking on the occasion, Abubacarr Kanteh, councilor for Kartong Ward, stated that the day is a reminder of the crucial role that water plays in people’s lives and called on all and sundry to ensure that clean water is accessible to every person in the West Coast Region.
“Water is not just a resource- it is life. It nourishes the bodies, grows food, and sustains the livelihoods. Access to clean water translates into healthier communities, better education, and stronger local economies,” Mr Kanteh noted.
He pointed out that despite the significance of water, there exists communities in the regions that face challenges in accessing this basic necessity, adding that as they reflected on these challenges, they must reaffirm their shared responsibility to make clean water available for everyone.
Kanteh said that the Brikama Area Council has long recognized the importance of providing water to the people of West Coast, making it a cornerstone of its development agenda.
According to him, over the past two years, the council has drilled 85 boreholes across the region, strategically placing them in public spaces, schools, health facilities and community gardens, emphasizing the boreholes are more than just water points- they represent hope and opportunity, providing water for drinking, sanitation, education and agriculture.
He highlighted, the achievement would not have been possible without the support of their valued partners such as Foundation 221, Gammol and other generous individuals who have quietly contributed to this cause.
“Our work is far from over. In fact, we are only getting started. This year, under the dynamic leadership of Chairman Yankuba Darboe, the BAC has taken a bold step forward by increasing the Ward Development Fund from D500, 000 to D1 million. This increase means that more councillors now have the resources to prioritize water provision in their wards, bringing us closer to our goal of ensuring clean water for every community in the region,” he elaborated.
He asserted that with these additional funds, the council’s focus is clear- expanding access to clean water, especially for underserved communities. He pointed out that the council recognizes that water access is not just about infrastructure but it’s about dignity, health, and creating opportunities for development, adding that each new borehole is a step towards lifting communities, improving lives, and strengthening the foundation of the region’s future.
He also reminded the gathering to let the occasion serve as both a celebration and a call to action, stating that Brikama Area Council is committed to continuing this work which, he said, the council Almameh Sanyang, a representative of the Department at Water Resources, highlighted the importance of potable water.
He emphasized that in as much as access to clean drinking water is available, the sustainability of it should be everyone’s priority.
Yankuba Darboe, chairman of the Brikama Area Council, also emphasized the importance of water, ranging from it social to economic benefits, highlighting that without water, there is no survival.
Darboe reaffirmed the council’s commitment to be conducting more water sensitization in the West Coast Region, ensuring that people know the value of access to clean drinking water. He added that the council will constitute a water management team to gather data on boreholes, citing that leaving everything in the hands of communities would not be enough.