By Omar Sabally
Karpowership, the owner, operator and builder of the only Powership (floating power plant) fleet in the world, on Thursday inaugurated the refurbished Gambia National Library branch in Brikama, West Coast Region.
Karpowership funded the refurbishment to the tune of five hundred thousand dalasi. In addition, it also purchased furniture and a giant photocopier for the library.
It could be recalled that Karpowership in February 2018, signed a PPA agreement with NAWEC connecting its 36 MW Karadeniz Powership Koray Bay to The Gambia national grid.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr.Yankuba Mamburay, Project Manager for Karpowership, expressed gratitude to the government of The Gambia and NAWEC for the opportunity given to them to contribute their quota towards the amelioration of power supply in The Gambia as well as the development of the country.
He pointed out numerous activities they have undertaken in the country, including distributing hundred bags of rice and sugar to the needy during the past two Ramadans; Tobaski rams; supporting NEA during international coastal cleanup days, rehabilitation of the newborn baby unit of the Children’s wing at EFSTH, among others.
The Project Manager expressed Karpowership’s readiness to continue to engage in social responsibility projects that would help the growth of local people, as well as providing educational tools. The library, furniture and copier, Mamburay is positive, would benefit the communities and general population. He concluded by exhorting the students and other members of the public to take advantage of the opportunity.
Mr. Alagie Fatty, in deputizing for the Governor of West Coast Region, thanked Project Manager Mamburay and Karpowership for their foresight which, he said, is timely. Fatty said the gesture would improve academic performance of the students and public.
Director General of Gambia National Library, Ms. Matilda Johnson said for some time now, readers who have been coming to the library were uncomfortable, and she therefore, commended Karpowership for the refurbishment. Informing them of the need to raise the standards of the library, Madam Johnson, therefore, saw the refurbishment by Karpowership as a first step towards that direction.
Mr. Lamin Fatajo, Regional Education Director spoke on the importance of library, describing it as an opportunity for students and teachers to improve on their content knowledge, make research and do group works; and enhancing their lessons.
