United purpose hands over 10 motorcycles, worth over D1m to 6 local NGOs

The United Purpose (UP), formerly known as Concern Universal, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Friday handed 10 new motorcycles to six local NGO partners across the country. 

The motorcycles were procured by United Purpose at a tune of one million three hundred and fifty thousand dalasi D1, 35O,000 through the “Baluu Tim- Maringo  project funded by the European Union.

The presentation that was attended by staff of United Purpose, NDMA, local partners and the media was held at the UP ground along Kairaba Avenue.

The beneficiaries of these motorbikes were TARUD, FFHC, AVISU, NATC, WIG and WASDA respectively. The aim is to enhance their effective services in the implementation of the project at the community level.

In delivering his statement at the handing over, Ousman Jammeh, the project manager Bio Fortification  under the United Purpose expressed  gratitude  to be associated with the handing  over of 10 field motorcycles to local NGO partners to be used for the conduct of project implementation activities of the Bio Fortification Project now “Baluu Tim-Maringo- Ngo” Project.

Mr. Jammeh seized the opportunity to commend the European Union for funding the project, and by extension, the government of The Gambia for creating the enabling environment.

He also indicated that the overall objective was to reduce under nutrition and poverty of vulnerable populations (especially women and children) in The Gambia by strengthening sustainable access to and consumption of fortified foods.

Mr. Jammeh also stated the Baluu Tim - Maringo Project aimed at systemic and sustainable changes that will provide better health and nutrition based on value chain approach to ensure maximum sustainability. 

According to the project manager, the “Baluu Tim - Maringo Project will directly target and benefit 18,000 small holder farmer households – 75% of who are women.

The project is being implemented through six local NGOs and four marketing federations and other stakeholders such as NARI, NaNA, Department of Agriculture and others throughout the five regions of the country. 

According to Mr. Jammeh, it is important to indicate that the motorcycles will facilitate and contribute significantly to reaching the target beneficiaries as well as serve as a conduit in the achievement of project objectives.

The extension delivery system, he said is expected to be strengthened especially with regard to frequent visits and supervision of intervention areas.

The beneficiaries of the motorcycles are also encouraged to take good care of the facility and use them judiciously and for the reason for which they are bought.

Mr. Jammeh also noted that the Baluu-Tim-Maring-Ngo has already registered some significant gains in project implementation; therefore the expectation is that, the use of the motorcycles will help consolidate those gains.

He also advised the beneficiaries to use the motorcycles to ensure the growing, promotion, consumption and marketing of bio fortified crops for improved nutrition and health.

For his part, Ismalia Jarju, project coordinator, United Purpose also hailed the European Union for funding this project, adding that  EU is very instrumental  to not only funding this project, but by extension funding the New Gambia in a lot of sectors. 

He went on to describe EU as real partners in development.

He also informed the beneficiaries that whenever the funding comes for them to deliver good work, they should ensure that the farmers benefit to the maximum.

Mr. Jarjue used the opportunity to commend the effort of the partner NGOs in the implementation of the activities of United Purpose.

He said most of their partners have been working without mobility to reach at the most remote communities.

“We therefore commend them for this and UP is very grateful to its NGO partners.

Regarding sustainability, Mr. Jarjue challenged the beneficiaries to take ownership of these motorbikes to ensure their sustainability.

He also told the beneficiaries that with this mobility, the NGO partners would be able to ensure and make greater impacts on the communities.

In his closing remarks, Sering Modou Joof, deputy executive director, MDMA, expressed delight to be associated with this important event.

He went on to lament on the importance attached to mobility in the implementation of project at the grass root levels, while advising the beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of the motorbikes.