By Cherno MS Jallow
The Association of Wood Re-exporters and Forest Users in the Gambia, recently presented a cheque for One hundred and fifty thousand dalasi, to the victims of the shocking Basse Market fire disaster.
The monetary donation was handed over to the female head of the Upper River Region (URR), Governor Fanta B. Samateh Manneh, for onward transmission to the affected victims.
In receiving the benevolence at a ceremony held on the scene of the market inferno, Madam Samateh Manneh thanked the association of the timber dealers for the kind gesture. She held that the donated amount “is not a small measure, and will go a long way in supporting the affected victims in recovering the lost items”. The regional Governor described the said association as a “real partner” in development.
“I encourage others to emulate the Association of Wood Re-exporters and Forest Users’ bold step in supporting the affected victims,” the URR Governor remarked.
The chairman of the association, Mr. Lamin Barrow expressed delight {in helping the victims}, and shock over the destruction of the market, lamenting the fire outbreak has caused negative impacts on the lives of the affected victims.
He told the audience that his association has deemed it very fitting to donate a cheque amounting to D150,000 to the victims as part of the association’s contribution towards national development.
Chairman Barrow stated that their association is not only here to engage in profit-making entity, but also to “contribute, in all corners of development, towards national development”. He also pointed out that the donation was part of their contribution towards complimenting government’s efforts in national development, by giving support to those affected victims at Basse Market.
Barrow intimated that they were in Basse to show solidarity with the affected victims at Basse market, adding “we are very sorry for what had happened; but let’s have faith and patience”. He used the opportunity to enjoin those affected by the market inferno “to exercise more patience”, as he said the incident was the will of God, and He {God} knows better why it happened.
The chairman went on to reassure Governor Samateh Manneh that his association would continue to support the affected victims until they settle down, acknowledging that it’s not easy [for the victims] considering the magnitude of the destructions.
In a similar light, Nessim Trading Company Ltd, a Mauritanian private company in the Gambia, also donated five hundred thousand to the affected victims in Basse Market.
Meanwhile, the Senegalese Ambassador had also visited the scene to show solidarity with the people affected by the fire incident at the market.
