President Yahya Jammeh last Friday distributed over 14, 000 bags of sugar to Muslims across the country in observance of the holy month of Ramadan.
The annual gesture, presented at a ceremony held at State House grounds, went to all the regions in the country as well as institutions.
Banjul City Council received 777 bags; Kanifing Municipality, West Coast and the North Bank Regions each received 2, 222 bags. the Lower, Central and Upper River Regions respectively, each went home with 1,111 bags. The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council received 500 bags; the Gambia armed forces and the Interior ministry combined received 1,111 bags each; whilst ‘Yai-Compins’ went home with 300 bags.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, President Jammeh renewed calls for Gambians to take ownership of the country’s domestic market, noting that his government will not tolerate economic sabotage.
He called on the youths to take the lead in economic activities in the country, and deplored the fact that the country’s domestic market is dominated by foreigners.
While warning that the peace and tranquility of the country will never be compromised, the Gambian leader underscored his government’s commitment to the trade protocols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Vice President and minister of Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, lauded the gesture and commended President Jammeh for his stance in the propagation of the Islamic religion.
VP Njie-Saidy called on all to emulate President Jammeh’s gesture.
Other speakers included the Secretary General and minister for Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally, the minister of the Interior, Ousman Sonko, the minister of Lands and Regional Government, Momodou Aki Bayo and the minister of Fisheries and Water Resources, Mass Axi Gye.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries were the president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (SIC), Alhaji Momodou Lamin Touray, the governor of West Coast Region (WCR), Lamin Sanneh and the mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, Yankuba Colley, who all lauded the gesture.
