EU GIVES GAMBIA

European Commission Extends Largesse to Fisheries Sector

As part of its funded programme for strengthening of fisheries products health conditions in ACP and OCT countries (SFP), the European Commission (EC) donated material assistance to the Ministry of fisheries to support activities of the competent authority inspection services on control of the health standards of fishery products.

The material assistance was formally handed over by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Gambia on behalf of EC to the Ministry of fisheries at a handing over ceremony on Wednesday 6 April, held at the fisheries department in Banjul.

Reacting to what he described as “a wonderful gesture, which symbolises the fruitful cooperation” that exists between the Gambia and EC, Nfamara Dampha, the Director of fisheries said: “The fisheries department is happy to receive these equipments and I will assure you that the materials will be used for the benefit of ensuring that fish and fishery products meet the required standards.”

The objective of providing the equipments is to support the Competent Authority (CA) in The Gambia in order to meet its activities and also addressing the issues of sanitary control of fish and fishery products. It will among other things, enable the CA to improve the control systems in the fish processing chain.

The items donated includes two vehicle, two motor bicycles, IT materials- 4 computers, 2 laptops, printers, fax machines, and some facilities to be worn for safety precaution at sea.
“There is no doubt that the intervention of the SFP programme to assist The Gambia fisheries sector has been very effective,” said Amadou Saine, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of fisheries and water resources.

Whilst he assures of continued commitment to ensuring effective sanitary control of the fish and fishery products, he underlined that the materials donated will be put in good use.