By Sariba Manneh
The community of Kotu received its first-ever recreation centre during the weekend. The centre, which houses a 6-aside football pitch, children’s playground, and other important facilities, was built under the Kanifing Environmental Transformation Program’s (KETP) project, funded by the European Union. The handing-over of the centre gathered vibrant personalities from the KM, young people, and members of the community.
During his deliberation, the Councilor of Kotu Ward, Lamin Jammeh, thanked the project management and partners for what he described as the first recreation centre for the KMC. Jammeh echoes the importance of the centre and urges both the park management committee and residents, to work closely together for the greater good of Kotu.
“The park is for the community and we need to work together to maintain it. KETP has done its work and now it is left for us to do our part. We need to make sure that we sustain this park so that it can deter children from going to the seaside,” he said.
Lamin Kuyateh, the youth representative of Kotu, stated the significance of the park’s sustainability and management and highlighted the crucial role that elders of the community played in reserving the space they now have as a recreation center.
“Giving us the park is one thing, but to be able to maintain and keep it, is another. As a team, we want more than what the project has given us in the park, and we will not only stop at sustainability, we want to improve the park. Looking at the proximity of the park to the road, there are lots of benefits that we can tap from it,” Kuyateh said.
He highlighted that the park can be used as a business center which will be able to generate revenue that can be used to maintain it, and said the center can create job opportunities for young people within the community.
KEPT project manager Lamin Sanyang underscored the project management committee’s commitment to support the community of Kotu, in the proper management and sustainability of the park. Sanyang applauded the young people of the community for the immense job they have done and said: “I am very impressed with the work of these youth. They developed their strategies on how to manage the park, and as the project’s management team, we are doing a handing over. However, we will do our utmost to support you and ensure that this management and sustainability go accordingly.”
Other speakers at the handing-over ceremony include Kemo Bojang, the youth Councillor, Deputy Mayor of KMC Binta Janneh, the Chief Executive Officer of KMC Pa SaitCeesay, and a women’s rep. The recreation facility will provide the Kotu community with numerous opportunities geared towards reducing unemployment, providing avenues for young people, and as well generate income for the upkeep of the facility.
