The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) in Bijilo.
Presenting the items, James F. P. Gomez, minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters (MoFWR-NAMs) said Automatic Hydrological Sensors would significantly increase his ministry’s capacity to monitor and deliver quality hydrological services in the country.
He added that they have been strengthening their ability to monitor and forecast weather and climate over the years, saying they have successfully released regular weather forecasts, early warning bulletins, and set up listening groups throughout the country.
This move, he added, is to ensure that Gambian farmers and citizens receive more timely and accurate weather information.
Minister Gomez indicated that with the additional hydrological stations located across the country, his ministry would now be able to increase the accuracy of their forecasts and monitoring services to make Gambians safer and better informed.
The Automatic Hydrological Sensors, he added, would also ensure the provision of ‘timely and accurate climate, weather, hydrological data and information’ to safeguard the population and ensure that promotion of food security is enhanced.
He thanked the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany for funding the project.
Also speaking, Fatou Lamin Faye, West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adopted Land Use (WASCAL) board member in The Gambia, said the equipment will greatly facilitate data collection, data quality, assurance, sharing and utilisation for education, research, science and capacity building.
She expressed optimism that the Automatic Hydrological Sensors will be used to effectively and efficiently serve its purpose, adding that datum to be collected will not only be useful to the Department of Water Resources but also to students currently on their studies in climate change and education at PhD level at the University of The Gambia.
Mod A.K. Secka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology (MoHERST) said reliable data deepens on research, adding that reliable data can help in providing accurate weather forecast.
He urged beneficiaries to take great care of the sensors as well as make maximal use of them for the benefit of the country.
