The chairman of the Association of Wood Re-exporter and Forest Users in The Gambia, Lamin Barrow, has made it categorically clear that his association is not only a business entity, but also a social development force that is geared towards complimenting government’s effort.
He said they are providing more employment opportunity for Gambian youths, which by extension reduces dependency and crime rates in the country.
Their aim, he noted, is to comploment the efforts of the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment and its line department.
He then used the association to thank the minister of Forestry and the Environment, Hon. Jato Sillah, for his personal support towards the success of his association.
Mr Barrow said the aim of his association is to protect the natural resources of the country for the benefit of all and generations yet unborn.
“We are not here to hunt anybody neither to spoil the nature of the land,” he added, asserting that his association’s objective is in line with the Government vision to create more employment opportunity for youth and preserve the environment.
He made this statement in an interview with our reporter in his office along the Serekunda on Wednesday.
Mr Barrow, who spoke to The Point in an interview at his office in Serrekunda, said his association embarked on a massive tree planting during the last raining season with the support of the Ministry of Forestry through Hon. Jatto Sillah and his permanent secretary.
He said 2012 will be better than last year since members of his association are showing high commitment and dedication to work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry for the best interest of this country.
He also told his members to continue their cooperation with the forestry ministry, urging them to be law-abiding and do what is expected of them for the best interest of the country.
“Developing our country is a collective responsibility but not a one man show; we all have to put hands on deck together to push this country forward,” he said, adding that their objective is not only to benefit from the forest products but to also contribute their quota to national development through the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment.
Currently, he said, his technical team members are working tirelessly to prepare their plan of action for 2012, since their association has already committed itself to the head of state that every major infrastructural development in this country they will turn it to green.
He also used the occasion to thank the head of state for his personal support towards their association, which has yielded dividends.
He also revealed that his association is working closely with sister countries to get the best seedling crop for the coming raining season.
“As an association we are not only after our interest but are also contributing immensely towards the development of our country,” Barrow said.
