The Gambia Teachers' Union (GTU) regional executive committee branch of Region One, in collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) recently launched the first ever Green School project at Abuko Lower Basic School.
In his inaugural statement on behalf of the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Humphrey Mukwereza, the Financial Director of the Bank, Richard Ahulu said the rationale behind bringing teachers and students together to plant trees demonstrates their passion for preserving the environment and going further to inculcate into the students the exigency of the project.
He said he was excited that the teachers and their students did not plant any type of trees but fruit trees. He cited it's a typical example of "killing two birds with one stone."
According to him, his bank is very passionate about preserving the environment and the initiative taken by Region One GTU committee is in line with his bank's environment agenda. As a bank, he went on, they will take a long-term view of the consequences of their action.
Mr. Ahulu said his bank is committed to building a sustainable business that continues to be high-performing, adding that the bank will view all its actions in terms of environmental impact and economic and social contributions.
He said some of his bank's customer activities could have a direct impact on the environment, and as such the bank has since 2007 introduced environmental and social risk policies in making its lending decisions.
He urged the beneficiary schools to take good care of the fruit trees they plant in their various schools, and also build interest in other environmental preservation activities.
The Chairman of GTU regional branch for Region One Buba Camara said the objectives of the project, is to combat the effects of climate change, improve the environmental landscape of schools, contribute to public awareness for the conservation of the flora and fauna, using future leaders of the country.
He revealed that Standard Chartered Bank had sponsored the project at a tune of D140, 000.00, adding that 40 schools from three regions, namely KMC, NBR and CRR North will benefit from the project
He stated that his committee and their main sponsors would conduct an assessment on the progress of the project by the beginning of 2010-2011 school academic year.
He then commended their sponsors through the bank's CEO for their support.
Other speakers included GTU President, Lamin K. Marong and
The vote of thanks was delivered by the head teacher of
The items sponsored by SCB towards the
