President
of Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) has applauded
Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for its holistic approach towards
the fight against covid-19 pandemic.
Following
the recent donation of 1.6 million dalasis to all the local councils across the
country, Landing B. Sanneh said GCCI has demonstrated the highest sense of
responsibility and concern for the welfare of the people by supporting local
councils to fight the global pandemic.
Out
of the 1.6 million dalasis, each council received 200, 000 dalasis; a gesture
that Mr. Sanneh said was a clear testimony of the cooperation between GCCI and
partners in their fight against the pandemic
Mr.
Sanneh, who is also chairman of Mansakonko Area Council said the GCCI
leadership is worthy of commendation and emulation, saying its Hope Project is
giving hope to Gambians to battle the covid-19 pandemic. “No country can
meaningfully and genuinely develop without the involvement of the decentralised
sectors like the local government authorities,” he said, calling on the
government and private institutions to also play their part in supporting the
fight against the pandemic.
“Even
before the state of public health emergency declaration, all the councils were
proactive. They took their stands at the right time and by extension they were
providing information about the virus. They were also providing sanitary
facilities and food support to their people most of which were exclusively
coming from their treasuries.”
Mr.
Sanneh said such pro-activeness is what is needed in The Gambia in which people
will actively function in their responsibilities as citizens. He said all funds
received will be focused and are only meant for the fight against covid-19.
“This is not a charity but an act of fighting
for our survival,” GCCI President Edrissa Mass Jobe said.
He
said they were doing this for the people and their communities as businesses
that they represent are operating within the communities.
