The donation was part of the Mining Company's corporate social responsibility to the community of Sanyang.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the ward councilor of the area, Boto Bojang, explained that his office had written to the mining company requesting solar street lights for the areas of Sanyang village that do not have electricity.
The latest donation, he said, will go a long way in deterring criminal and other clandestine activities within the area and also beautify the community.
He hailed the management of the Sand Mining Company, saying: “For the past decades, there have been mining activities within the area. However, it’s only GACH mining company that brought unprecedented development to the coastal communities where they are currently mining.”
“We have been benefiting from numerous developments from GACH company, ranging from building mosques, police stations, health facilities, constructing perimeter fences of women gardens, football fields, and solar street lights among others,” he said.
Councilor Bojang urged the community and the donor to continue cementing their already existing relationship with a view to enabling them enjoy more development at their doorsteps
Saikou Kombeh Bojang, a member of the village council of elders underscored the significance of donated items, adding: “We used to have many mining companies in the area, however, what we are benefiting from GACH, we have never benefited from any other company.”
He added: "Despite the fact that the company is mining in our area, they are taking into account our environment and that makes GACH outstanding among the many other companies that were mining here before.”
Amadou Manneh, GACH Mining Site Manager, spoke at length on the cordial relationship that exists between the company and the Sanyang community.
“I want to assure you that our working relationship will continue and that the GACH company will continue to bring the much needed development in the area. Impacting the lives and livelihood of Gambians is what our company is known for, hence we will continue on that drive,” he postulated.
“Regardless whether we are intervening in this community or not, we will continue to support Gambians with the desire of ensuring that we put smiles on the faces of Gambians, especially the needy people. Our CEO is committed to that and we will work towards achieving that desired goal. We will continue to reach out to any community or individuals where help is necessary.”
Yusupha Jassey recalled that sand mining activities had been happening in the area for the past 100 years, adding: “However, I can clearly say that GACH is the number one company that brought countless projects to our doorsteps. In fact, during the intervention of other companies, we lost a lot of our livestock due to the reckless driving of their drivers with their trucks and our roads became unusable.”
“We started benefiting from sand mining when GACH Mining Company Limited started mining in our communities. The company has rehabilitated the ward health center, sponsored youth football tournaments, scholarships to our children and among others.”
