Four
villages in the Niamina West district, in the Central River Region, Choya, Sare
Bakary, Madina Wallom and Sare Sambel, Saturday, paid tribute to a Danish
philanthropist for digging a borehole for the four villages.
Hundreds
of people who lived within those villages never had the privilege to have clean
drinking before, but thanks to Danish-born Christian Jorgensen this hall
changed.
Speaking
on behalf of the villagers of Madina Wallow a spokesperson said they are more
than happy to have a clean drinking water because it was something they dreamt
of for many years.
“We thank Christian Jorgensen for the gesture
and we will forever remain grateful to you. Water is vital human life and if
you are deprived of it you are not a complete human being,” the spokesperson
stated.
The
Alkalos of Sare Sambel and Bakary shared similar sentiments and expressed how
grateful they were to the philanthropist who came to their rescue, saying only
God could pay him.
The
philanthropist, Christian Jorgensen, in his words, thanked the villagers for
appreciating the boreholes and assured them of his continued support.
He
has been in The Gambia for three years to date he said and assured the
villagers of his continued support. He said his wife has also played vital role
in the project.
Jorgensen
told the villagers to take proper care of the borehole and work collectively as
well as continue to support each other, in that way they could be stronger
together.
The
Minister of Information, Communication and Infrastructure, Hon. Demba A. Jawo,
in his remarks, said he was very delighted to be part of the initiative and
give all the support he could.
He
stressed that they have been given the boreholes, so it was their turn to take
proper care, especially in terms of maintenance.
They
know how they suffer in securing clean drinking water for decades, he said,
adding that it was time for them to be their own police men and women in using
the taps.
The
Governor of Central River Region (CRR), Sulayman Barry, said he was very happy
to take part in the inauguration, adding that this was the first project he
attended since he took office.
“Christian
and his team have done their best,” he said, adding that they also have to do
their best to make sure that the project is sustainable in the area.