By Lamin Fatty in URR
Baja Kunda Village in the Upper River Region of The Gambia will be benefiting from a water expansion project funded by the 
members of the Baja Kunda Association in countries such as Spain, France and USA, through ALPICA Solidaridad in Spain.
The implementation of the water project, which started recently and is being carried out in collaboration with Baja Kunda Association members in the village, is part of the association’s strategic development plans to provide clean portable drinking water in the drive to empower the people.
Speaking to this reporter, Mr. Abu Aminata Trawally, the vice president of the association, said the aims and objectives of his association, among others, is to mobilize resources and implement projects that will contribute to the improvement of the living standards of the people in the Gambia, in general, and Baja Kunda, in particular.
He said from 2000 -2015, they have completed 2 bore holes with a stand tank capacity of 150,000 litres connected to the village households with 190 stand pipes in Baja Kunda, provided Ultra Sound Machine costing Euro 30,000 for Baja Kunda Health Center, paying annual compound rates in Baja Kunda amounting to D150, 000 as well as the provision of 40 solar panels.
Mr. Trawally said their proposed projects for 2015-2020 include, among others, the increase of water supply to all the households in Baja Kunda, schools, mosque, health center and a borehole with a capacity of over 250, 000 litres. This, he said, has capacity to pump the quantity of 80,000 litres of water per hour and 24 hours operational services. This, according to him, will go a long way in improving the lives of the people, particularly the women and girls, who suffer a lot in terms of providing water for the family.
He thanked the members for their efforts in mobilizing resources to support initiatives back home. He also thanked the National Assembly Member for Wuli East, Honorable Saidou Sabally, for his continuous guidance and support in ensuring successful implementation and sustainability of the projects.
Speaking to this reporter, Esa Sunol, a representative of the AlPICA Solidaridad in Spain, who also doubles as the Grant Coordinator, said he is entrusted by the association to effectively and efficiently coordinate the activities of the projects in partnership with the ministry of Water Resources in order to ensure the judicious use of the resources to achieve the desired objectives. He said this is in line with the vision and mission of their Association to ensure sustainable community development.
Mr. Sunol said he is very much satisfied with the implementation of the projects and the level of mobilization and participation of the entire community members and beneficiaries which, he said, is crucial for the timely implementation of the project.
He thanked them for their contribution and commended the National Assembly Member and assured their continuous assistance in mobilizing resources to support initiatives in the Gambia.]]>
