The
Department of forestry with funding from its national forestry fund, in
partnership with Food and Agricultural Organization, yesterday handed over 7
brand new vehicles and 23 motorbikes to the assistant director of forestry for
onward distribution to forestry department staff across the regions.
The
keys to the vehicles were handed over to the assistant director of forestry
Malang Jassey by the minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Pa
Ousman Jarju.
The
occasion was attended by senior staff members and management of the forestry
department.
The
forestry department procured five brand new pickups and one land cruiser making
it six four-wheel drive vehicles and twenty motorbikes while FAO donated to
them one pickup and three motorbikes respectively making it a total of seven
vehicles and twenty-three motorbikes meant for the staff of forestry
department.
In
his introductory remarks, assistant director of department of forestry, Malang
Jassey, applauded the support and initiative as he distributed the vehicles to
their various staff geared towards enhancing effective services delivery.
He
expressed hope that the motorbikes would go a long way in helping them achieve
the participation of the communities and also involving the stakeholders.
For
his part, deputy permanent secretary, Environment and Natural Resources, Mr
Ello Jallow, said he was happy to be associated with the handing over of
vehicles to the assistant director of forestry for onward distribution to
various staff of the department.
He
thanked the minister of environment and natural resources for his leadership
and support throughout the process of getting the vehicles to support the
activities of forestry officers across the regions.
“I
also wish to thank the management and staff of forestry department through the
assistant director Mr Malang Jassey and also by extension thank all those that
contributed immensely towards getting the vehicle,” he said.
DPS
Jallow also thanked the FAO through the country representative and the entire
FAO staff for the donated pickup and three motorbikes for the Action against
Desertification Project.
He
said the donation was a laudable initiative, which is geared towards combating
desertification and improve the country’s forestry and forest cover.
He
said they would ensure the sustainability of the initiative and the regular
maintenance of the vehicles, adding that the government is doing a lot to
facilitate the movement of officers, especially forestry officers, across the
regions.
“We
hope that staff of beneficiary departments will put the vehicles into good use
and ensure durability.
For
his part, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Pa Ousman Jarju,
said it was honour for him to witness the handing over ceremony to the
assistant director of forestry for onward distribution to various staff of his
department across the regions.
“I
could recall five months ago, when a team had a nationwide tour to really look
at the challenges of the forestry sector, one of the issues that emerged from
the report was that mobility has been a serious challenge,” he said.
He
said generating resources from the national forestry fund to realise such
pertinent items in the fight against desertification is commendable. This would
go a long way to help the department monitor the project and maintain
sustainability, he added.
He
advised the beneficiaries to properly manage and upkeep the vehicles.
He
also seized the opportunity to thank the FAO for being a strong partner in
development in the process.