The Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources (MoFWR) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions, at a ceremony held at the Ministry’s offices complex in the capital city, Banjul.
The Lincoln University College, Agrotechnology in Malaysia has pledged D3 million, every year, to the Gambia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources to develop and manage the country’s fisheries sector.
Officials said the amount would be given out annually, for a duration of a five year-time, which is amounting to D15 million. They also disclosed that D3 million had already been paid to the country’s apex bank-Central Bank of The Gambia on Wednesday, for the agreement to kick start.
The MoU’s aim is to strengthen research and educational promotion of marine resources and related industries, to exchange scientific, investment and technical marine resources, and establish and organize international education and training on marine resources, among other host of issues.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Fisheries, Mr. James Furmos Peter Gomez, expressed his ministry’s gratitude to the Malaysian Ambassador, indicating that their mandate is to see how best to satisfy the Gambian people, by putting food on the table.
He indicated that the MoU would help their capacity building process, and is an opportunity for them to create trainings and employment. The Minister, therefore, called on Gambians to take advantage of this relationship as they go forward.
Lincoln University has pledged D3 million as a token of its contribution towards fisheries development in The Gambia, according to Fisheries Minister.
While expressing their appreciation to Malaysia, the Fisheries boss reassured that his ministry would follow the principles of the agreement signed.
Tan Sri Dr. Aixinjueluo Yuhao JP, Ambassador-at-Large of Gambia in South East Asia, thanked the government of The Gambia for accepting the partnership, and he avowed that they are ready to help The Gambia with more development partnerships.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, Dr. Bamba AM Banja, in his remarks said the MoU would help to strengthen research and educational promotion of marine resources and other related industries.
The ministry’s Number 2 believed it would also promote the research, development application and agglomeration of related industries to promote the development of fish farming and processing industries, among others.
Dr. Banja added, “MoU will establish, and organize international forum and conference in the field of marine resources”.
The PS hailed the move as the “biggest achievement” of his ministry in 2019, and gave the Malaysian Government a pat on the back, for the support, albeit, he still urged for more partnership.
