Lt. Colonel Babucarr Sanyang, commanding officer at Fajara Barracks, has assured forestry officials that trees planted in the barracks “will be secured and well taken care off”.
He said the importance attached to the forest “cannot be overemphasised as without forest, there will be no light”.
While speaking at a massive tree planting exercise held at the Fajara Barracks and supported by the department of forestry, Lt Col Sanyang also used the occasion to call on all his camp commanders to do everything possible to adopt the tree planting exercise and ensure that there is sustenance of the trees.
The Fajara commanding officer further said that caring for the trees should be a collective responsibility for all his men.
The work should not be left in the hands of only the forestry officials, he said.
He also appraised the relationship between the Gambia Armed Forces and the department of forestry, as “very cordial”.
He further thanked the department of forestry for their effort in ensuring that the directive which has been given by the President, who is the commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, “is being implemented and on time”.
This initiative is worthy to be emulated by all Gambians to plant at least a tree in their environment,” Lt Col Sanyang said. “The planted eatable fruit will be very useful for our future generation”
He therefore assured the department of forestry that, as the commanding officer of Fajara Barracks, he would put all mechanisms in place to ensure the maintenance of the various trees planted at his barracks.
He also advised the whole
He added that the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) will continue to cooperate with the department of forestry to ensure that all army camps in the country are green.
“If Gambians want to attain food self-sufficiency we should embark on tree planting as well,” he said.
For his part, the director of forestry, Abdoulie Sanneh, expressed sentiments similar to those of Lt Col Sanyang, saying he appreciated the level of participation of the Gambia Armed Forces in this year’s tree planting exercise.
“Their participation is a clear indication that the Gambia Armed Forces are soldiers with a difference,” Mr Sanneh said. He also buttressed on the need to take care of the trees and urged them to continue their hard work, dedication and sacrifice that “they have for this country”.
The forestry director added that the army, in the whole world, are known for protecting lives and property but the GAF had gone beyond that by also protecting the country’s natural resources.
He said the department of forestry is working hand in glove with the Gambia Armed Forces at any time to ensure that “our forest is well protected”.
He finally called on all the security apparatus to emulate the Gambia Armed Forces in their drive to restore the country’s forest cover.
Director Sanneh added that the participation of the GAF “is well recognised” and therefore encouraged them to keep up the momentum.
