By Mariam Williams
Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has recently launched its 10,000 bags of rice initiative, which is aimed at helping the vulnerable families in the Municipality during this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the country; with the initial donation of four hundred (400) bags of American rice-25kg to KM-based families at a presentation held at KMC annex in Kanifing.
As per the official version, an amount of D1,000,000 (One million dalasis) had been cut from their travel budget to fight against COVID -19 deadly pandemic. It’s been stated also that the initiative is targeting over 10,000 bags of rice to be distributed to families.
The Deputy Mayor of KMC, Mr. Musa Bah, said while they have gradually and systematically started the implementation of this plan, they are happy to inform the general public that they were launching the distribution of 10,000 bags of rice as part of their efforts to provide relief for the most vulnerable families within the Municipality.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KMC, Madam Sainabou Martin Sonko told the launch gathering that said since the outbreak of COVID-19, KMC has been in the four-front to fight against this deadly pandemic.
She said in the Gambia, KMC is the most densily-populated municipality with all classes of people. She further stated that, KMC “has not forgotten and will not forget” the support received from individuals, Gambian and non-Gambian businesses within the municipality, since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
She particularly acknowledged the Indian community in the Gambia; Africell GSM company; the Sarahulleh community; the Bankers Association; and the Janneh family, for contributing immensely towards that initiative.
CEO Martin-Sonko used the opportunity to call on all Gambians and non-Gambians, and even non-residents of the Municipality to join them in the fight against Covid -19.
The Director of Services at KMC, Mr. Lamin Sanyang, said since the onset of COVID-19 in the country, Council has implemented series of activities in order to fight against the deadly pandemic.
He added that they have their KMC Emergency Plan which has three main components, among them is public education and awareness.
“Some of you might be aware that we have conducted series of public education and awareness during this past one month,” Sanyang reminded. On the second component, he reported that they have installed almost about 500 hand washing “stations” in the municipality and provided some detergents and other materials in order to sustain those “stations” at this critical point. Director Sanyang also spoke on the third component, informing that they were going to launch that 10,000 bags of rice initiative, as a result of Council cutting 1 million dalasis from its travel budget, and also private partners who have donated the Council towards the implementation of the third component-food relief.
Sanyang lamented that there are people who are seriously affected by the lockdown and therefore, as a Council, it’s their obligation to improve services for residents within the Kanifing Municipality. He disclosed that the bags of rice are going to be distributed to the 19 Wards in the Municipality.
KMC’s Deputy Director of Administration, Wurra Bah, told the audience that the presentation of these rice is to help the needy families within the KM, noting “we are gathered here to witness a huge presentation that’s geared towards helping the struggling families within the Municipality”.
