The
Gambia Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday gave 1.6 million dalasis to the various
area councils in the country to aid curbing the spread of covid-19 pandemic.
The
presentation which was held at the GCCI complex had representatives from each
of the eight councils. Each council received an amount of D200,000 as financial
aid in these desperate times.
The
president of the GCCI , Edrissa Jobe, outlined
the objectives of the emergency funds to councils, saying it is designed
to provide assistance to the eight councils specifically to extend aid to the
markets and lumos in the country.
He said that the D20 million received from companies and institutions is going to be used for repairing and equipping the Sanatorium and other places identified by the Ministry of Health, provide the EFSTH with 50 oxygen flow meters, (in partnership with UNDP); provide the Old Jeshwang Prison with 30 minibuses and also equip and complete new blocks to ease congestion in the prison.
The
GCCI CEO, Alieu Secka, explained that out of the 15 million pledged, D14
million has been paid in cash, and has been used effectively in various areas
to tackle the pandemic.
He
expressed appreciation of the efforts of all institutions and businesses,
saying that their funds could have been used for other purposes.
