The governor of West Coast Region, Lamin Sanneh,on Monday presided over the regional
launching of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project at his office in
Brikama.
The project is fundedby the African Development Bank and implemented by the departmentof WaterResources through the ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, and costs 8 million US dollars.
The aim of the project is to improve access to safe drinking water supply and sanitation in the rural areas, from the currently level of about 70 percent to 72 percent for water supply and from 40 percent to 44 percent for sanitation by 2015. The project is expected to last four years, and targets five regions of the country.
Speaking at the regional launching, Governor Sanneh expressed delight to be part of “this very important launching ceremony”.
He went on to describe the project as a major projectthat is funded to the tune of 8 million US dollars.
He also stated that by looking at the objective of the project, the government of the Gambia had tasked itselfto the goal of achieving MDG 6, that is, to combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.
Governor Sanneh added that the government of the day is not an exception in carry out those objectives.
Hewent further to stress the importance attached to this project, and said the project will help to reduce the challenges that the rural community are encountering in the area of water supply.
Governor Sanneh added that the involvement of all stakeholders in this launching ceremony was essential, particularly with the presence of the regional chiefs.
He also emphasied the importance of access to water, which he said is lifeand no human being can survive without water.
The deputy permanent secretary ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, Fatima Sosseh Jallow, expressed appreciation to the government of the Gambia for its effort in realizing this very important project for Gambians.
According to her, the regional launching of this major project is geared toward improvingaccess to safe drinking waterfor our rural communities.
She added that the communities should take ownership of the project which will go a long way in helping them alleviate their poverty.
The project coordinator, Ms Isatou Ida Sissoho, thanked the stakeholders for their large turnout to the launching of the rural supply water project.
She also stated that this project was nationally launched in April 2012, but it was also important to launched it regionally, and that they have started with the West Coast Region.
