The event, held in Siffoe, West Coast Region, marks the start of a mega transformative project in the country’s journey toward modernizing its water infrastructure.
The project is worth €59.1 million, with €29 million provided as grant support by France through its Agence Francaise De Development (AFD). However, this landmark initiative, according to officials, represents another major milestone in the Government’s effort to strengthen the country’s water infrastructure.
In his keynote address, Adama Barrow, president of the Republic of The Gambia, said this transformative initiative marks another giant leap in our national journey towards universal access to clean and safe drinking water.
“Water is one of the first basic requirements in life. It is used universally to support livelihood, health, and the sanitary needs of human beings. Water is, therefore, an everyday need. It is so essential that without it, there is no life. Thus, water provision, particularly safe and clean drinking water, is a lifesaving or life supporting mechanism.”
To this end, Barrow reminded that water provision particularly safe and clean drinking water, is a life-saving ingredient.
In light of the crucial important of water to human life, he said, the United Nations General Assembly voted in 2007 to recognise the rights to safe and clean drinking water, as a human right.
He acknowledged that it is in light of the importance of water to humankind that the United Nations General Assembly voted in 2010 to recognise the right to safe and clean drinking water as a Human Right.
“For this reason, among others, my government accords access to safe and clean drinking water special priority.”
He disclosed that to reinforce this, they decided lately to separate NAWEC into two entities for water and electricity respectively.
“The objective is to devote closer attention to developing and implementing appropriate water projects nationwide. This strategy is expected to help achieve universal access to clean and safe drinking water, hence the launch of the WASIB project. Supported by AFD, it marks a pivotal step towards realising our national goals and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals related to clean drinking water.”
The Gambian leader reminded that the launch of this new project, which seeks to provide safe and clean drinking water to more than one million people in the West Coast Region and beyond demonstrates, yet again, his government’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our people.
With a total investment of fifty-nine million, one hundred thousand Euros (€59.1 million), president Barrow maintained that the WASIB project is partly made possible with the generous twenty-nine-million-Euro (€29 million) grant from the Government of France through the French Development Agency.
“In addition to this is an expected concessional facility of thirty million, one hundred thousand Euros (€30.1 million) from the European Investment Bank.”
The project, he added, is initiated to have a wider coverage and to significantly and positively impact as many lives as feasible.
“We will pursue these objectives from three fronts: firstly, by extending NAWEC’s water network by about three hundred thousand (300,000) liters; secondly, by increasing our national water production capacity by 25%; and, for the first time in our country’s history, by tapping into water sources at depths of four hundred (400) to six hundred (600) meters”.
Speaking earlier, Lamin Saidy, Governor of the North Bank Region, stepping in for his colleague in West Coast Region, described water as not just a necessity, but it is a foundation of a way of life and necessity to our health and development.
“We know that access to clean and reliable water has been a challenge for many years and many communities across the Gambia. Today marks a significant step towards a change that will work into reality for the people of Siffoe and its surroundings.”
The project, he said, is just more than pipes and pumps, but that it is about empowering families, supporting livelihoods and securing a better future for generation to come.
He added: “When we invest in water infrastructure, we invest in health education and economic opportunities.”
Governor Saidykhan spoke of government’s unwavering commitment to bring modern water solutions to rural communities.
The project, he added, is a clear manifestation to that dedication and a symbol of what can be achieved when government and communities join hands in that regard.
For his part, Mahoub Mezouagh, a representative of Agence Francaise De’ Development (AFD), acknowledged that climate change effects put more pressure on water issue in Africa and across the globe, noting that his institution is fully engage in climate change issues.
This, he said, is the reason why his agency partnered with The Gambia in this ambitious project aimed at delivering water accessibility to the communities.
Through this WASIB project, he said, some 300,000 of more people will have access to reliable and quality water, further thanking NAWEC for all their efforts and making this a reality.
Stephane Dovert, Charge De Affaires, French Embassy in The Gambia, hailed the development as another decisive step in the friendship and cooperation between France and The Gambia.
“Water is not just a human necessity, it is a foundation for life, dignity, health and all economic activities. In order word, water is a prerequisite for all sustainable development.”
This WASIB project, he added, would last for decades if not for generations, adding that WASIB is fully align with the National Development Plan.
To this end, the French diplomat saluted President Barrow for his leadership and development initiatives, acknowledging that it is another demonstration of his government’s priority to ensuring access to clean and quality water for the populace.
The WASIB project, he added, would significantly enhance the country’s water infrastructure and distribution network, while acknowledging the invaluable contribution of NAWEC Team.
The event was chaired by Lamin Camara, permanent secretary, Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines.
The event attracted senior government officials, religious leaders, women groups and a cross-section of the communities of Kombo South.
