By Madiba Singhateh
The Gambia Bureau of Statistics, last week Thursday 29 February, 2024 received Seven Toyota Prado Vehicles from UNOPS to enhance the collection of Data in the country and the sub-region as a whole.
The presentation ceremony was held at the Statistics Bureau in Kanfing.
Speaking at the handing over, Bruno Kessler from UNOPs regional office in Accra, Ghana, said he traveled to the Gambia to be part of this important ceremony and to acknowledge the good work that has been carried out by their team thanks to the World Bank.
Mr . Kessler expressed elation for being part of the project.
“We are very grateful to be allowed to be part of this important process of procurement of these vehicles to allow the office to have necessary mobility to travel across the country and to collect important data,” he said.
He finally stated that they are looking for more opportunities to collaborate in the most important areas as he wished them all the best in carrying out their work.
In delivering the handing over statement, the representative from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Lamin Bojang, said he was part of the World Bank Board that approved this project.
Mr Bojang, on behalf of the Minister, thanked their development partner’s (World Bank) for financing this project but also to the contractor, UNOPs, for delivering the vehicles on time .
“We believe that this support will go a long way to support the harmonisation of Statistics at the sub region because that is the core aim, but most importantly, it will support or enhance movement in these population and housing sensors. I just want to encourage the Gambia Bureau of Statistics through the project management team; they institute a maintenance culture and good management of these vehicles,” he appealed.
Finally, he reminded them that these are public resources meant to enhance data collection and harmonisation of Statistics in the sub-region.
“So I want to encourage the project management team and the Gambia Bureau of Statistics once more to make sure that these vehicles are well managed,” he said.
Other speakers include Alieu Saho, Deputy Statistics General and newly appointed Chairman, Sering Fali Njie .
