Officials of the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Forestry and Environment on Wednesday embarked on their annual bushfire campaign.
The 2011 bushfire sensitisation campaign was held with support from the West Coast Region Governor's Office, Brikama Area Council and the Saint Joseph Family Farm Centre in Bwiam.
The campaign aims to create awareness among the communities in the region on the dangers of bushfires and the need to put in place measures to prevent or control them.
Speaking in an interview with The Point in Arankon village in Foni, Abdoulie Sanneh, Director of Forestry, thanked the people of Kampassa and Aranko for embracing the campaign.
The annual campaign is very important to sensitisate the people on the dangers of bushfires, he says.
He revealed that his department has put in place the necessary logistics to see that the sensitisation "is well conducted to meet the desired goals".
"This is the right time to do the campaign," Director Sanneh said. "In fact these communities in West Coast Region have registered a lot of successes and that other regions are even trying to emulate and coming with such initiatives."
He said further: "What we need is for the youths and children to come and listen. In terms of clearing, we expect youths and children to come but not old people. The children should come and listen because they are the people who normally go to the bush looking for rabbits as well as women."
Chiefs Alhagie Demba Badgie and Kutubo Sanyang also assured the activists of their cooperation and support.
Other speakers on the occasion included Ousainou Cham, Regional Forestry Officer, and Samba Jerju, chief fire officer, Kanilai Fire and Rescue Station.
