PS Sanyang was accompanied by Mr. Amand Gnahore, Deputy Country Representative for UNICEF in The Gambia, Mr. Lamin Fadera, WASH Program Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Mr. Musa Bah, Technical Officer and UNICEF Focal Person, Department of Water Resources (DWR), and Mr. Omar Jarjue, Unit Head, Rural Water Supply, DWR, among other partners.
The field visit was organized by the DWR in partnership with UNICEF The Gambia and the Ministry of Health WASH Unit. Its objective was to assess the status and impact of ongoing WASH interventions in communities, schools and health facilities across the country.
Before visiting project sites, PS Sanyang and team paid courtesy calls on the Governors of West Coast Region, Mr. Ousman Bojang, and Central River Region, Mr. Ousman Bah, to brief them on the purpose of the visit.
During engagements with beneficiary communities in Sita, Foni, Kudang Tenda, Bansang Hospital and Wali-Kunda, PS Sanyang urged residents to take ownership of the facilities.
“The purpose of constructing VIP latrines within your communities is to promote a healthy environment and end open defecation. The project has constructed latrines in your compounds for easy access instead of using the outskirts of the villages,” he said.
Director of Water Resources, Mr. Foday Conteh, and Deputy Director of Public Health Services, Mr. Ebrima Touray, also highlighted the health benefits of the pit latrines and improved water supply systems.
The delegation inspected several facilities, including: the ongoing VIP latrine project at Sangajor Islamic School in Foni; water supply and sanitation systems at Bansang Hospital; 53 VIP latrines and a water supply system at Kudang Tenda; and a water supply system with 12 VIP latrines at Wali-Kunda.
Community leaders commended UNICEF, DWR and partners for the timely interventions. Alkalolu and women including Yankuba Jarjue of Sita, Fatou Sanyang and Fatou Jarjue pledged to maintain the 15 VIP latrines in Sita. They also appealed to UNICEF and DWR to extend similar projects to neighboring communities of Jako, Karanai and Gaimo.
PS Sanyang noted that the project is part of the UNICEF Country Programme 2023-2027 WASH component, co-implemented by the Ministries of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Health, and Basic and Secondary Education. The Department of Water Resources is responsible for construction.
The Government, with support from UNICEF, reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to safe water and sanitation as part of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
