The support comes as the agency grapples with challenges in transportation that continue to hinder its daily operations, particularly the timely execution of environmental monitoring, enforcement, and logistical arrangements.
To address this persistent challenge, the agency partnered with the GTUCCU, which resulted in the successful procurement and donation of 11 new vehicles.
These include 5 pickup trucks, 4 saloon cars, and two 15-seater mini-vans, with a 30-seater coaster bus also expected to arrive soon.
At the official handover ceremony, Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang, NEA Public Relations Officer, described the occasion as historic. He recalled that the agency had not received such a significant donation since the Jammeh administration, which provided just two vehicles over a decade ago.
“Everyone at NEA is excited today. This donation is a game-changer for us, and we are sincerely grateful to GTUCCU for this generous gesture.” Sanyang said.
For his part, Dr. Dawda Badgie, NEA Executive Director emphasised the critical role of mobility in executing the agency’s mandate.
He explained that limited access to reliable transportation had severely hampered NEA’s ability to respond to the growing environmental challenges across the country.
To that end, Dr. Badgie maintained that efforts to secure vehicles through various financial institutions were unsuccessful due to bureaucratic hurdles and rigid loan protocols.
“After nearly three years of setbacks and failures, GTUCCU emerged as a trusted partner who believed in our mission and was willing to support it.” he added.
The donated fleet, he said, would play a pivotal role in fulfilling NEA’s 2025 enforcement and awareness objectives, noting that under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the vehicles are now fully owned by NEA, following the completion of payment.
“They will be monitored and tracked under a newly approved vehicle use policy to ensure accountability and sustainability.”
Also speaking, Njagga Touray, Deputy Executive Director, described the donation as a pleasant surprise and called on NEA staff to pray for continued blessings and success for GTUCCU leadership and staff.
“This is an unprecedented act of generosity. We’ve never received anything of this magnitude,” Touray said.
Sanna Tunkara, GTUCCU Human Resource Director reaffirmed his union’s commitment to continued collaboration with NEA and encouraged staff to treat the vehicles with utmost care.
“These vehicles are a national asset. Drivers should treat them like their own lives and avoid overloading to ensure their longevity,” he urged.
The donation marks a significant milestone in the NEA’s efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier environment, aligned with its 2025 campaign for enforcement and public awareness.
