60 Vendors Trained on Waste Disposal

The upcoming fair scheduled from December 6th to 31st, 2024, will be held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Supported by the European Union and Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), and the Mbolo Association, the training was held at the Gambia Pastoral Institute.

Addressing the gathering, Ebrima Ceesay, Finance Officer of GWCC, explained that the training was aimed at engaging food vendors ahead of their upcoming trade fair, where they expect 60 food vendors. national and international.

“We called them here to discuss zero waste management because Mbolo and KMC are working on a project called Zero Waste Gambia. We don’t want any waste, so we are starting a pilot project at the trade fair.”

Dodou Jarju, KMC Service Manager responsible for environmental projects and climate change programs, outlined their role, which is to promote the management of organic waste within the circular economy value chain.

“We aim to promote the reuse and recycling of waste, which can be beneficial for families and society.”

He also spoke about their role, which he said, is to ensure that more than 70% of waste is diverted, saying studies have showed that organic waste constitutes 60% of waste generated, which can be recycled into compost or bio-bricks.

Additionally, Jarju said that the project has been approved by the EU, and efforts are being made to empower women gardeners in home and urban gardening, helping them improve their yields and market produce.

This, trade, he added, will focus on climate change and waste management, promoting the recycling of waste materials to be used in women’s gardens.

He thus emphasised the importance of cleanliness during the event, urging vendors to manage their waste responsibly before collection and final disposal.

Babucarr Kebbeh, CEO of the Gambia Startup Chamber of Commerce, said that the training is basically to remind food vendors of the trade fair rules, particularly since the stadium has been renovated and requires a high level of cleanliness.

Kebbeh pointed out that food vendors generate 90 % of the waste at the trade fair, and that this year, they are committed to maintaining cleanliness throughout the event.

"We want to manage waste and implement waste separation so that vegetable waste can be collected by KMC, while Mbolo will handle recycling and composting for use in the Bakau Women's Garden."

Kebbeh also warned vendors against actions that could create a mess, such as using charcoal or spilling water, while stressing the importance of effective customer management and networking.

To that end, he encouraged vendors to print business cards to share with customers, fostering continued business beyond the trade fair.

He acknowledged that KMC is fully supporting the event, marking the first time they have collaborated so comprehensively by providing cleansing services and constructing 10 stalls to support Bakau women gardeners and other entrepreneurs at the fair.

Silvia, the project coordinator, expressed similar sentiments.