• Chairperson
• Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly
• My Lord, the Chief Justice
• Honourable Ministers
• Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service
• Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps,
• Service Chiefs
• Chairman, Management, and Staff of GAMBEGA
• Venerable Religious Leaders
• Members of the Press and Media Fraternity
• Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
• All other Protocols duly and respectfully observed
It is indeed with much delight and pleasure that I join you here this afternoon on behalf of His Excellency, The President of the Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh, Professor, Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J Jammeh to officially inaugurate on his behalf, the first Waste Water Treatment Plant of such size and scale to be built in The Gambia.
Also at the outset, I would like to recognize and welcome in our midst, the distinguished delegates from GAMBEGA's parent Equatorial Cocoa-Cola Bottling Company and other international partners who have flown in from far and wide to join us in celebrating the 46 th Anniversary of Independence, and for witnessing this very important inaugural launch made possible by their efforts.
Before I proceed, allow me to convey to the Management and staff of GAMBEGA, His Excellency's profound gratitude for this maiden development by a company that has been and continues to be a very important partner in the development of this country. GAMBEGA, a subsidiary of The Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company has again demonstrated its interest in the development of this country, by pioneering what I would like to call a milestone breakthrough in the way we can further enhance waste management and an effective water use management.
Chairperson
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
The Government of The Gambia recognizes GAMBEGA as an important partner, that is always ready and willing to provide assistance. In short, since its inception in 1995, GAMBEGA has never taken a back seat in complementing Government's national development aspirations, especially in the critical sectors of Education, Youth and Sports, Art and Music, and Health, where millions of Dalasi have been spent. The refurbishment of the Accident and Emergency Ward of RVTH as well as the donation of a two forty-foot containers of medical items worth over millions of dalasi, are but an example of GAMBEGA's support towards the country's Health Sector.
Chairperson, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Today's launch of this Multi Million Dalasi Waste Water Treatment Plant is the latest demonstration of GAMBEGA's as a true and credible partner in the Gambia's socio-economic development process. The facility represents a fulfillment of another corporate social responsibility by GAMBEGA. It is fair that all companies operating in The Gambia recognize the importance of committing to, and fulfilling corporate social responsibility programs. Not only would such commitment endear the corporate sector to the society, it also earns them in return, society's continuous patronage of the produce and services of the sector, as consumers.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Turning to this magnificent Treatment Plant that we are gathered here to launch, my Government recognizes the benefits it would provide in particular for the Greater Banjul Area and the Kanifing Municipality, which together constitute the most populated area in The Gambia with the largest concentration not only of people, but also businesses, industries and institutions.
As we all know, growth in human as well as institutional and corporate populations, always come along with it increased demand for public services and utilities, which water is always a critical part of. We also know too well that such growth in population settlements, also come along with obvious environmental challenges. It is indeed gratifying to note that this Facility is an important blessing because not only is water going to be made available from a non-traditional source, but also we all stand to gain from the benefits of a reduced waste water challenge as well as environmental threats. In short, with this Facility in place, it would not be long to eliminate the unenviable logging of dirty and stagnant waste water on our streets and backyards. What this would translate into in terms of improved health conditions for people and animals is beyond anybody's imagination. The elimination would also mean that we will have improved soil quality, with all the gains that this itself, will bring along.
Chairperson
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
As we therefore inaugurate this First Waste Water Treatment Plant, I would like to take the opportunity to call on all companies to emulate GAMBEGA in providing and implementing such best practices that contribute to sustainable environmental management. In this way, coupled with other supportive ventures in other sectors of our economy, The Gambia would be among the first few countries to achieve the MDGs in addition to its Vision 2020 development agenda.
For its part, the Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, The President, would continue to create the most conducive and supportive environment to help the private business sector to thrive profitably. We will not relent in our search for policies that would turn all investments into profitable ventures. My Government will also continue to rely on the private sector for feedbacks that will enhance further our policy options and instruments. The objective of the Government is primarily to make The Gambia the safest haven for all types of legitimate businesses and investments.
Chairperson, Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
In conclusion, I would like to urge and encourage GAMBEGA Limited to continue to maintain close cooperation with the Government and people of this country . I also want to commend members of the Project Team who have been involved in the design and construction of this facility. Today we are all proud of their hard work and achievement. To the users, it is important to bear in mind that a facility of this importance requires effective handling and protection. Collectively therefore we are all obliged. It is also important to note that our protection of this Facility would be an important contribution to environmental cleanliness, the safeguarding of our wetland and the oyster creek, the promotion of fishing and other recreational activities, and the protection of local wildlife and their habitats, all of which are examples of the long chain of benefit streams that would be derived from this Plant.
On this note, and again with profound thanks and appreciation to the Coca-Cola Company Fraternity, I have the singular honor to declare the GAMBEGA Waste Water Treatment Plant officially inaugurated.
Long Live The Gambia
Long Live the Public-Private Partnership
I wish you all well and I thank you for your kind attention.
-End-
