The National Youth Parliament (NYP) on Tuesday held a press briefing on
their upcoming campaign called “Each one plant one”, held at their office at
Jimpex Road in Kanifing.
According to NYP officials, the campaign is a tree planting exercise aimed at involving the communities in a competitive way.
Speaking at the briefing, deputy speaker of NYP, Hon. Awa Ceesay, said the exercise, which is targeting the entire Gambian population, is aimed at addressing deforestation and climate change.
She added that due to funding constraints they will pilot the project in two villages, namely Sutukonding in Wuli West District of URR and Chamen in the North Bank Region.
According to her, two hundred trees will be planted in each of the villages and compound heads or representatives will be given the responsibility to nurture the trees after planting after which NYP will monitor the planted trees.
She said the exercise will be done in partnership with the Village Development Committees, alkalos, women and youth leaders, regional forestry offices, and youth officers.
Recalling that NYP was involved in such activities in the past, she said they now look forward to a successful implementation of the “each one plant one” pilot phase.
Hon. Ceesay disclosed that after the exercise, an award will be giving to the winning village with the highest rate of survival and with the ability of funding.
She adduced that the initiative will be replicated in all major villages across the country, targeting 1 million trees to be planted within a year.
She disclosed that they have also created room for people in The Gambia to donate at least D100 and those abroad to donate 5 Euros or 5 dollars to have a tree planted in their name.
“Organizations can also donate under different categories such as bronze D10,000, Gold D15,000 and Diamond D20,000 fortrees to be planted in their names,” she further revealed.
For his part, Lamin Saidykhan, finance officer of NYP, said as agreed with the villages, the programme started on Wednesday 11 September 2013 in Chamen and will continue on 21 September 2013 in Sutukonding village in URR.
He added that the regional offices will provide seedlings and NYP will coordinate, provide fence for the trees and also give awards, saying they are yet to receive any funding for the initiative.
Other speakers on the occasion were Hon. Samba Bah, national speaker who delivered the welcoming remarks, and Jainaba Faye, speaker of Banjul who gave the vote of thanks.
