The Environmental Concern Group of Gunjur (ECGG) on Saturday 15th September, planted hundreds of trees at the Gunjur Bolong Feyno attended by the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency Madam Fatoumata Bah Barrow accompanied by Minister of Environment and the Governor of WCR.
Environmental Concern Group Chairman Lamin Mbakau Jammeh speaking at the event
This year’s event which was sponsored by the Geological Department of The Gambia as part of their corporate social responsibility saw the planting of about 700 indigenous trees, including nine coconut trees sponsored by Alhagie Sowe and his wife Awa. It was organised with other groups such as GEPADG, Gunjur Eco Lodge, Gunjur Conservation Group among others. The first tree which was planted by the First Lady was named after her mother. The Saturday tree planting exercise by ECGG is the 5th of its kind and coincided with the International Coastal Cleanup Day. The Bolong Feyno reforestation event was also attended by the Honourable Minister of Environment, Lamin Dibba, representative of Geological department Fakebba Senghore who planted a tree on behalf of Geology.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Lamin Dibba the minister of Environment said metigation and resilience in environmental development are key priorities for the government and therefore his office will champion any cause of national Development agenda. Hon. Dibba thanked the youths of Gunjur for taking the bull by the horn to contribute immensely towards national development.
For his part, Badara Njie Bajo, Director of Gunjur Environmental Protection and Development Gunjur (GEPADG) thanked team ECGG for choosing his protective area for this year’s tree planting exercise. Mr Bajo applaud the Gunjur Youth Movements for their unity for the protection of the environment. He concluded by challenging the youths to unite for the common goal, common good and interest for the shake of national Development.
Bakary Sanyang, Governor of West Coast Region also thanked the youth movements in Gunjur for their commitment and dedication towards national Development, saying that his office is open for the Youths for any meaningful development process. Mr Sanyang adviced the youths to take ownership of their community as the future leaders. Speaking to Gunjur News Online, Chairman of ECGG, Lamin Mbakau Jammeh welcomed and thanked all the attendees for the large turnout to complement their efforts towards the restoration of the environment. He said that the annual tree planting exercise is part of his group’s development plans in order to complement the efforts of the government and to restore and protect the environment as well as protect the beautiful flora and fauna.
Commenting further, Mr Jammeh continued. His words:
“ ECGG is proud to have once agin successfully planted some seven hundred indigenous plants to help restore the area of the Bolong Feyno which was affected by bush fire” Mr Jammeh concluded by indicating that ECGG is writing a proposal which will enable them to start a nursery of indigenous plants at the protected area which will be used to plant trees in other parts of the community to help restore these plants and the forests. He appealed to the government of The Gambia to support this initiative for a sustainable tree planting exercise in the future. Also speaking to Gunjur News Online about the event, environmental activist Ahmed Manjang who is a member of ECGG stated: “I would like to thank our ground team especially Buba M. Touray and Lamin Mbakau Jammeh for organising another successful tree planting event albeit in collaboration with Gunjur Conservation Group. This year's tree planting event was the fifth successful of such events organised by ECGG. The presence of the environment minister and the first lady is an encouraging sign that; the Gambia government is serious about mitigating environmental challenges facing the Gambia. Finally, I would like to thank the Gunjur scout band and the rest of the volunteers who came from across the West Coast Region and Senegal”. Commenting on the success of the tree planting exercise, Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, a leading Human Rights Activists in the Gambia said in as much as activism is concerned we are always trying to have dialogue with Government in order to fix out certain environmental challenges more importantly within our coastlines. He said protection of the ocean should be a key priority for all as any damages to the ocean here can reflect in other parts of the world. Dr Janneh also challenged the youths to be more proactive and innovative to invest into business activities for sustainable development.
“We are very grateful to the First Lady Mrs. Fatou Bah Barrow, the Minister of Environment, the Governor - WCR, and others for making this year’s tree-planting exercise at Gunjur Bolong Fenyo a major success”, Dr Janneh concluded.
Other dignitaries at the tree planting were the Governor of West Coast Region, Mr. Bakary Sanyang, Alhagie Saikou Janko of Anti-forest fire platform, Dr. Amadou Scattered Janneh who donated an amount of D5000 towards the event, Ousman Sane of Cassamas Horizon, Niafurang, as well as representatives from Kaolack and Kabada regions of Senegal.
Concerned Environmental Group (Gunjur ) was founded in 2014 as a community based environmental and conservation group with growing membership of environmental activists and those concerned about protecting and restoring the environment for the future of the community.
