By Juldeh Njie
Fisheries and water resources minister told lawmakers Tuesday his ministry is set to provide safe and potable water for three villages in Sami constituency.
James Gomez revealed this will happen later in the year. He was responding to NAMs during the First Ordinary Session of the National Assembly in the 2019 legislative year.
Gomez said Dobo, Changai Toro, Changai Wollof and Bani villages are some of the communities identified for assistance.
“All the boreholes for the communities have been drilled. All the water storage tanks have been ordered and arrived in the country on 6th March 2019,” the minister reported.
He also told lawmakers that the foundation stone has been laid for the construction of tanks, which is currently underway.
“It is hoped that by the end of July 2019, all works in the communities would have been completed and potable water available in the said communities,” he promised.
He called water a “basic human right” and said his government has the responsibility to provide it to the entire population.
“We should give priority to providing water to all Gambians,” he said. “That is why it is important that we have a map that will enable us to know the number of people inhabiting a particular community. We will do our best to make sure that every part of the country is served with water.”
Meanwhile, the fisheries minister also said that Tallinding Kunjang is part of Tanbi Wetland complex.
“My ministry will ensure that the institutional support within the framework of Gambia-EU sustainable fisheries partnership agreement covers a wide range of beneficiaries including Tallinding,” he said.
