The Majority Leader of the National Assembly, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, last Friday presented a pumping machine to the women of Alkali Kunda in Upper Baddibu as part of his contribution in spurring them on in their response to President Jammeh's call for increased agricultural activities.
The majority leader's intervention came barely a few days after making a pledge to the Alkali Kunda women following his adoption as the honorary father of the Alkali Kunda women Kafoo.
He presented the machine to the sitting National Assembly member for Upper Baddibu for onward delivery to the Alkali Kunda Women Kafoo. Hon. Jatta explained to journalists after the presentation that the donation was motivated by the visible desire of the people of Alkali Kunda to help themselves improve the standard of their lives.
According to the House Chief Whip, the women of Alkali Kunda have a vegetable garden some 4km outside their settlement but that inadequate water resources are besetting their horticultural activity.
"The women of Alkali Kunda are committed, steadfast, industrious and willing to respond to the President's encouragement for people to go back to the farmlands to ensure food security and food self-sufficiency. We would, therefore, go all out to help them in becoming the best they can be as it's easy to help she who wants to help herself," Hon. Jatta stated.
"On behalf of the villagers of Alkali Kunda, I would like to thank their Desk Officer, Hon. Ablie Suku Singhateh, the member for Upper Baddibu, Lamin Kebba Jammeh, Kalifa Kambi and Momodou S. Touray for helping me in the fulfillment of my pledge."
Hon. Jatta also thanked H.E. Salifu Jaiteh, Cyprus Gambia Consul also a native of Alkali Kunda, Karamo Marong, Alhaji Jamang Marong, Nemuna Marong, Salifu Camara and the entire people of Alkali Kunda both within and in Kombo for making the adoption ceremony the success it deserve.
For his part, the Desk Officer for North Bank Region, Hon. Ablie Suku Singhateh, expressed delight in Hon. Jatta's intervention, adding that it's in tandem with President Jammeh's vision and mission in ensuring increased productivity in the agricultural sector.
"The pumping machine will increase horticultural activity. This will in turn boost productivity and a boost in productivity means more income generation and more food available for those who need it," added he.
Speaking to reporters, the National Assembly member for Upper Baddibu, Hon. Lamin Kebba Jammeh, acknowledged his happiness and satisfaction over the gesture, enthusing that the move glaringly indicates the solidarity and unity of interest in the legislature.
"Being the leader of the majority in the House, Hon. Jatta's support to my constituents is worthy of note because it shows the solidarity in the Assembly. It also belies the notion that one should render help to only his/her people.
"At the same time, the donation is timely in that it will help us to adequately respond to President Jammeh's back to the land call as well as following his example of putting women uppermost in his agenda."