Dr Ismaila Ceesay gave this assurance on Monday as he received in audience a delegation from Niumi FM to his office at the GRTS building along MDI road in Kanifing.
The delegation was led by its General Manager Mr. Ousman A. Marong. The visit was meant among other things to formally introduce the Essau–based radio staff to the minister as they move to strengthen meaningful collaboration.
During the meeting, the station manager of Niumi FM, Mr Ousman A. Marong, assured the minister of his radio's unwavering commitment to ethical journalism reporting.
“Niumi FM, despite its little or no resources, is the only radio station in rural Gambia producing its first-hand news production without having to depend on the newspaper review. We (Niumi FM) want the minister to start recognizing our stand towards complementing the government's efforts in rural Gambia. We believe the minister can give us support by creating avenues for us to paddle on,” said Mr Marong.
He informed the minister that through the efforts of the staff of the radio the Essau District Hospital was recently able to benefit from and access to potable, clean drinking water and support from the FAB Foundation.
The hospital, he added, was without water because the NAWEC pipes were unable to supply the area due to its sloppy nature, adding that pregnant women, including the families of sick people, visit villages such as Mayamba, Kanuma, Sami, etc, to fetch water to clean newly delivered women.
“It was at this time that Niumi FM decided to offer a sensitization radio program run by the manager together with her assistant that later fetched the hospital a borehole. We were able to put a stop to the deadly synthetic 'kush' drug by producing radio adverts on the dangers attached to the usage of the killer drug (kush), creating a radio talk show inviting Doctors, Nurses from the Essau District Hospital and members of Niumi Hands, (a youth-led organization) including the Gambia Drug Squad. We also give timely and regular updates about the Kunta Kinteh Ferry anytime it's faulty or out of service,” he added.
