The
government of The Gambia Wednesday signed a US$0.8 million tripartite grant
agreement with the African Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) at a ceremony held at the Office of the Vice
President in State House.
The
six-month grant is funded by the ADB, and will be implemented by the FAO. It is
an emergency response to the Gambia government’s call for assistance in the
aftermath of the 2011-2012 crop failure that resulted to food shortages across
the country.
The
minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Abdou Colley, signed on behalf of the
government of The Gambia while Leila Mokaddem, the ADB resident representative
based in Dakar, and the FAO country representative, Babagana Ahmadu, each
signed on behalf of their various institutions.
Speaking
after the signing ceremony, the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs
who is also the chairperson Disaster Governing Council, Aja Dr. Isatou
Njie-Saidy, on behalf of the government and people of The Gambia, commended ADB
for the assistance. She reiterated government’s political will in all aspects
of development including the agriculture sector.
The vice
president told the gathering that last year’s crop failure ushered in difficult
times for The Gambia; and acknowledged that partners like the ADB have always
been there for the country. While
appealing to the ADB to assist the Gambia government realise its long-term plan
for Agriculture, the VP Njie-Saidy also stressed that sustainability remains
government’s primary goal. She also
advised the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO to ensure a smooth and transparent
implementation of the grant.
Abdou Colley, the minister of Finance
and Economic Affairs, explained that part of the grant will be used to provide
social amenities and relief for farmers. He described the response to
government’s appeal for assistance earlier in the year as very encouraging. He
then called on FAO to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture in the
implementation process, while promising to further strengthen the partnership
with the ADB.
The ADB
resident representative based in Dakar, Leila Mokaddem, said that the grant is
a strategic support for The Gambia and is aimed at mitigating the impact of the
food shortage on household food security as well as to reduce the cases of
malnutrition, and depletion of assets, thus preventing the population from
engaging in negative coping mechanism. The ADB’s
main priority, she went on, is to ensure sustainable productive economic and
social opportunities for the poor and vulnerable sections of society and ensure
equal access.
Madam
Mokaddem pointed out that climate change poses serious threat to food security,
and went on to disclose that the bank in collaboration with partners has
mobilised an extra US$28M towards The Gambia’s food security plan,
implementation of which, according to her, shall begin in mid-2013. She added
that a programme for food security and resilience for the Sahel region will
also be designed in 2014.
For his
part, the FAO country representative, Dr. Babagana Ahmadu, noted that the grant
will allow his organisation to extend the ongoing support to affected
communities. He used the occasion to call on government to make a declaration
of disaster on the deadly cattle disease that has hit the country.
The FAO
boss then assured that his organisation will ensure effective implementation of
the programme within the time frame.
The
permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Sait Drammeh, described the grant
as timely, saying it will also help address the current fatal cattle disease in
the country.
The
ceremony was chaired by the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Mod
Secka.
Source: Daily Observer
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