EU donates Water Resources

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday 29th June donated five laptops, computers, five printers, two measuring levels and one Thedoletic to the Department of State for Water Resources, as well as the Ministry of Local Government.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, held at the Department of State for Water Resources in Banjul, the EU Change D'Affairs, Madam Helene Cave, said EU is by far the most important donor in the country. She noted that without any doubt the water sector has always been, and is still one of the main sector activities of the EU in the country.

She added that the financing agreement for the rural water supply sector support (RWSSS) was signed between the European Union and The Gambia in March 2006, and the total budget is 6.8 million Euros, which is around 230 Million Dalasi.

According to her, the project has four components, namely increasing the access to rural and peri-urban water supply for people in the country, improving the operation and maintenance arrangement for water supply facilities, improving hygienic practice and quality monitoring in the communities benefiting from the project.

According to her, the EU is aware of the fact that unfortunately, The Gambia is a vulnerable country to the adverse effects of climate change, in particular, coastal erosion.

For his part, the Minister for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Matters, Honourable Lamin Kabba Bajo, applauded European Union for their tremendous support, noting that the donated items would greatly aid his department in their data collection.

For his part, the Director of Water Resources, Pa Ousman Jarju, expressed gratitude to the EU for their timely support, adding that the donated items would go a long way towards enhancing their work.