Community Markets, Toilets Rehabilitated in CRR
By Community markets in
A total of ten public toilets was rehabilitated and seven new canteens were also handed over to the beneficiaries by Social Development Fund (SDF) through the Kuntaur Area Council at a ceremony held in Kuntaur.
According to officials, the rehabilitation project was spearheaded by the SDF under the Entrepreneurship Promotion and Microfinance Development Project (EPMDP) component jointly funded by the Government of The Gambia and the Africa Development Bank.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yamadow Jagne-Jobe of the SDF commended community members for their large turnout to witness the official handing over of what is believed to be theirs for good.
“Your large turnout has shown your readiness to receive what belongs to you,” she said.
According to her, the GSDF was established in 1998 by The Gambia government with the objective of reducing poverty, especially within the local communities.
Mrs Jagne-Jobe said some of the intervention areas of the SDF are capacity building programmes, micro-finance credit facility and renovation and rehabilitation of community markets.
The SDF has been very supportive in promoting community subprojects, especially entrepreneurship development, he said.
She urged the beneficiary communities to ensure the markets and other facilities provided are sustainable and serve their purposes
.For his part, Pa Ansu Darboe, chief executive officer of the KAC, hailed SDF for its timely intervention in rehabilitating the CRR markets and toilets as these are priority areas for the communities in the region.
He said his area council is doing everything possible to ensure they bring development to its local government area. “We are happy for SDF in complementing the development efforts of Kuntaur Area Council (KAC) they have been very supportive of the communities,” he added.
He advised the communities to strategise on how to sustain the markets to serve its purpose.
Omar Ceesay, development and planning officer at the KAC, has already constituted market committees that would monitor the welfare of the markets in ensuring that the markets are kept clean and tidy for commercial activity.
According to him, rules and regulations were made to guide the smooth operation of the markets, especially the canteens. Some of the rules are the timely payment of monthly rent dues, non-third party occupancy of canteens, occupants to engage in activities that would enhance the growth and development of the market facility, among others.
Pa Sibity Jallow, councillor for Kuntaur Ward, highlighted the importance of market, adding that markets are meant for buying and exchange of goods and services, for the benefit of all. He also encouraged the communities to utilize the markets.
He commended the SDF for partnering with the KAC in supporting the development programmes and aspirations of the council.
Other speakers on the occasion included the alkalo of Kuntaur, Seedy Bensouda, and Mrs Keme Jammeh, women’s representative, who all expressed their happiness over the magnificent gesture from SDF and the KAC.
The ceremony, characterised by cultural performances, was chaired by the chairman of the KAC, Mamat Mbye.
