Six Cooperative Groups Supported by Nema-Chosso Generates D11M

By Ousman A. Marong

Six cooperative group from Boiram, Kudang, Bajarally Suba Juruku Salikene, and Pakalinding over the weekend generated an amount of money worth over eleven million dalasis (D11, 000,000.00).

This initiative came through the support from Nema-Chosso.

According to Mr. Momodou L. Gassama Projector Director said, over the last two (2) years the six cooperative bodies have generated a savings of over eleven million dalasis (D11, 000, 000. 00) from the purchase of sale fertilizer alone, he confirmed.

“The project provides support to organizational management, initial seed-funding as well as linkages conniving The Gambia Groundnut Cooperation (GGC) and the National Seeds Secretariat (NCS) to promote access to fertilizer and improved seeds for rice production,” he stated.

He made this disclosure in an exclusive interview with our reporter in his Abuko office. Mr. Gassama further gave updates on some of the project’s success with special focus to support cooperatives and linkages between producers, economic operators and other actors of value chain. “These initiatives have been ongoing since the start of the project implementation in 2012,” he asserted.

According to him, the six cooperatives groups were created in the cluster areas of, Boiram and Kudang in Central River Region South (CRR South), Bajarally Suba in Central River Region North (CRR North), Jurunku and Salikene in North Bank Region (NBR) and Pakalinding in Lower River Region (LRR).

According to him the Nema project was financed by the government of the Gambia through funds from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a Rome based UN Agency which focuses on poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.

He disclosed that the project had made numerous impacts on the lives of The Gambian youths and women respectively since its official launching in 2012, he said.

 He noted that the project has supported the formation of six agricultural cooperatives to serve the interests of their members along rice value chains across the country.

“With this initial support of the project”, noted Mr. Gassama, “the 6 cooperatives are now playing the role of economic operators, facilitating access to fertilizer for their members through bulk-buying from the Gambia Groundnut Cooperation (GGC). With the revenues generated and the trust they have built with (GGC) over the years, the cooperatives are now able to secure fertilizer for their members without direct project support, thereby laying the fundamental foundation for sustainability after the phasing-out of the project.”

Mr. Bakary Jammeh the cooperative project focal person outlined the projects support in providing them with the construction of nineteen (19) seeds and grains storage facilities across the six (6) cooperatives. He said this will enable farmers to effectively store their harvest products, noted.

PHOTO: Mr. Gassama. {Photo credit Edrissa Njie}

PHOTO: Members of the security sector reform.

By Ousman A. Marong

The government of The Gambia in collaboration with the Economic Community of West Africa States supported by the European Union National Development Program Africa Union and other partners today launched the National Security Sector Reform (SSR).

The event was funded by the EU support to Ecowas peace security, security and stability mandate project.

Following a horrific 22-years authoritative rule under ex-president Yahya Jammeh, which led to the disintegration of the security sector, The Gambia on Mond

ay 17^th June 2019 embarked on its first Security sector reform (SSR).

The event was held in “Sindola” Kanilia the birth place of ex-president Yahya Jammeh.

Delivering a keynote speech on security sector reform (SSR) Mr. Mai Ahmed Fatty special adviser to the president challenged the drafted to come up with a robust and comprehensive report at the end of the validation. He reaffirms government’s commitment in ensuring a fruitful security sector reform. “It is obligatory to government in providing protection and safety to its citizenry’s,” he remarks.

He demonstrated that the greater obligation on government is to protect its citizens, he noted. He highlighted that Security threats and public safety not to be problems facing to The Gambia alone,” he confirmed. He stated countries such as Burkina-Faso, Mali, Ghana, etc. to be faced with similar threats.

In his part Modou Badjie National security adviser to the president said government has put a lot of preparation in providing enabling environment with all-inclusiveness in order to see a free, fair, national security sector reform in the country.

“The draft document will help to identify malfunctions and loopholes in the security service,” he asserted. He emphasized that a good draft on security sector reform will give a good formulation and standardizes a good security sector for all.

Mr. Gen Tijani Golau special representative from Economic Community of West Africa State (Ecowas)revealed that the drafting must not only focus on the technical process alone.

“The drafting must be implemented by a forum of political dynamic with relevant stakeholder’s participation,” he said. He outlined the comprehensive sector report will help in the transformation of the country’s security. He added this will help the security service to be more oriented, more accountable, more responsive, etc. He concluded that this will enable the security apparatus to work accordance with the Ecowas and international standard.

Family of the late Ababacarr Camara renewed call for government to prosecute alleged murderers

PHOTO: Adama Drammeh(Decease wife)

By Ousman A. Marong

The Family of the late Ababacarr  Camara at Old Yundum  in Kombo North District West Coast Region (WCR) have renewed call on authorities to properly investigate the way and manner in which their father, brother, uncle, etc was murdered by group of people in Old Yundum.

It could be recall in May 9th, 2019 that Ababacarr Camara was alleged of stealing fuel in one of the local car park situated along the Coastal Road Brusubi main Highway where he (Abubacarr Camara) was caught and beating to death by mobsters.
According to Mr. Camara’s nephew who spoke to this medium on condition of anonymity “We are not the least happy with the high command from The Gambia Police Force (GPF) at all”, he remarks. He added since his uncle was butchered to death by the mobsters authorities at The Gambia Police Force (GPF) are still doing nothing to bring the culprits to book, his quires.

He questioned why is it taking the police that long for not taking culprits before any competent court of law in the country? He said it is nearly a month now since his uncle was murdered by mobsters and still the police haven't escort the culprit to court, he cries.
"What are they (the police) trying to hide, why is it taking them this long not take the wrongdoers to court."?

On his part the police PRO Superintendent Lamin Njie said “the police are doing all they could to facilitate court documents of the culprits. He promised the culprits will soon be appearing in court.