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.