Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Alhaji Sering Faye, chairman of the NCCE, thanked all collaborating partners for giving NCCE the leadership, as well as the support and confidence they needed.
He also thanked the EU for providing the funds for the project, and expressed hope that their working relationship will continue.
According to Mr Faye, they have realised that by working together they could achieve a lot, hence recommended that the team be together.
“We started something good for our community and country, and we should continue to do as much as we can for our country,” he said.
Communities need their service, and the services provided during the pilot project were appreciated by communities, and as such they should continue to collaborate even if funds are not coming from the project, he added.
Also speaking was lawyer Fafa Edrissa Mbai, who said after 27 years of legal practice he decided to retire on 31 December 2011 not knowing that there are challenges to come in his life in the area of justice and access to justice in the country.
From his experience, he knew the country has a great future, and was grateful that the project is a success and, therefore, recommended that it be continued.
Alhaji Cherno Bara Touray, deputy Governor Upper River Region, said the collaboration between different agencies, government and stakeholders in the implementation of the project was “wonderful and successful” and, therefore, should be sustained.
In realising its importance and the impact it made, the relevant line ministries and other government institutions and agencies now have to face the challenge of the sustainability of the project, he said.
“Communities are ready to accept and take ownership of the project,” he went on, and thanked the Gambia government for the conducive environment created.
He also thanked the EU for providing the necessary funds, as well as participation of various organisations and everyone that in one way or the other had contributed to the successful implementation of the project.
The Lower River Region Governor Salieu Puye also thanked the Gambia government for creating an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the project.
Governor Puye also thanked the EU for funding the project, as this would always help them to carry forward on what is already there.
The lessons learnt would help communities to be more aware of their rights and responsibilities, as well as how to solve disputes amicably and to live together in peace, he observed.
“It is only through peace that we can enhance development,” he continued, adding that the success of the project was possible because it was owned by people at the grassroots.
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