District chief scores 2009 high in rural development

A district chief, Alh. Fafanding Kinteh of Lower Baddibu has described 2009 as a successful year when his district benefited from numerous development projects from both the government and nongovernmental organizations. 

 

According to chief Kinteh who spoke to TODAY Newspaper in Kinteh kunda Janneh Ya of Lower Baddibu, the year 2009 witnessed the implementation of development projects by government and NGO, noting that these projects have contributed immensely in improving the well being of the people.

 

He identified the Gambia Rice Project, Greater Kerewan Water supply project, maintenance of peace and stability, construction of skills training centre for youths by the Community Skill Improvement Project (CSIP) and projects aimed at increased food production as those from which the district has benefited. 

 

The chief hailed the president, His Excellency Professor Dr. Yahya Jammeh for the laudable initiative of building partnership with the Taiwanese Technical Mission for the design of the Gambia Rice Project, noting that it has helped in meeting household food requirement of many families. 

 

“Farmers in the area are benefitting from acquiring improved high yield quality Nerica seed and fertilizer from the project on grant, and this has enabled many men to respond to the president's clarion call for people to go back to the land. Many of them have now ventured in to rice cultivation,” he said.

 

Commenting on the Greater Kerewan Water Project, chief Kinteh said the project would provide quality water supply for the people and enhance the achievement of good health of the inhabitants of Kerewan, Suwareh kunda, Kinteh kunda Janneh Ya and Saaba. He said it would also meet the water requirement of the people. 

 

He then thanked the Kerewan Area Council, the Ministry of Water Resource and the European Commission for contributing to the well-being of people and livestock. 

 

He further said the construction of carpentry workshop and training of youths in Kerewan and Kerr Ardo of Lower Baddibu would contribute to reduction of rural-urban migration and create self-employment opportunities at grassroots level.

 

He used the moment on call on the youths in the areas to make optimal use of the facilities created by the Community Skill Improvement Project (CSIP). 

 

Chief Kinteh also commended all the NGOs in the area for improving the welfare of the grassroots people in the area of health, education, communication and information, and food security.

 

He pointed out that the provision of caterpillar by Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) would help greatly in soil conservation works and help access feeder roads to the rice fields.

 

 He then assured the authorities of fullest support towards the realization of national development objectives.

 

He finally thanked all development partners and government for providing humanitarian services to affected families during the last raining season when many people were affected by the floods.