The landmark convergence, geared towards addressing the welfare of livestock owners and husbandry in the country, deliberated on the old and outdated strategic plan and came out with a planning that would provide NALOA a sound sense of direction for the next five years.
The event, which brought together representatives from the regional to the national level, attracted lively participation to discuss the document that would serve as a working tool for NALOA members.
In his remarks on the occasion, NALOA president Ebrima O. Jallow commended the executive and all members for their show of great concern and participation in the validation exercise.
The key objective of the validation was to ensure NALOA have a vibrant strategic plan that would guide the implementation of their activities in the next few years, he said, applauding the executive members for the level of cooperation and unity among them.
Mr Jallow thanked sponsors of the validation of the P2RS project under the Ministry of Agriculture. “We value their support towards addressing key challenges faced by the Association, which is funding, to organize certain major events,” he said.
Mr Jallow said the strategic planning was a requirement from their constitution that the Executive members should have a meeting twice yearly or once at least.
“Therefore,” he stated, “considering the importance of a strategic planning for any organization or institution, NALOA deems it fit to organize this validation on the old strategic planning and come up with a new strategic planning that would boost the Association with a sense of direction.”
Jallow also seized the opportunity to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for their invaluable support towards the growth of NALOA across the country. He gave special thanks to the director of Small Ruminant Project, Mamud Njie, for their concern and support to NALOA.
Jallow also extolled the Gambian leader for securing a special project purely for small ruminants in the country, saying “This is historic development” for the Gambia.
“This shows how the Gambian president have concern for the welfare of our animals,” he added.
He further assured the president that as far as his leadership is concerned, the association NALOA with or without funding would continue to play its pivotal role at the grassroots level to ensure challenges faced by livestock owners are addressed including reducing or combating cattle theft in the country.
In the same vein, SRPEP Director Mamud Njie hailed the leadership of NALOA describing the association as an effective body in the country. He said
“This Association is here to complement government’s efforts, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture,” he remarked. “The association comprises representatives from across the country with committed and dedicated members who are always ready to sensitize the communities on the welfare of our livestock.”
He said Gambians need to cherish and acknowledge the efforts of NALOA in national development.
He declared there is strong unity among its members with a dynamic leader as Ebrima O. Jallow “He is a very committed individual and his ambition is always to see the advancement of livestock in this country,” he added.
Njie also hailed the Gambian leader and the Minister for Agriculture Dr Demba Sabally for their concern and support towards addressing livestock issues in the country, saying “This is the first time that the Gambia has secured a livestock multimillion dollar project purely to address the welfare of animals.”
He encouraged NALOA members to continue the high spirit of commitment, and dedication to realising a new strategic planning that will be implemented accordingly.
He also advised them to take ownership of the new strategic plan and work closely with projects under the Ministry of Agriculture to help them facilitate their activities across the country.
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