By Abdou Mbye, Communication Officer OVP
His Excellency Mohammed BS Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, on Wednesday, 2 April conducted a comprehensive tour of key institutions under his purview to assess the progress of ongoing programs and address challenges facing these sectors.
The visit, which included a team of officials, involved several crucial sectors, underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving service delivery for the Gambian people.
The sectors visited during the tour included the National Population Commission Secretariat (NPCS), National Nutrition Agency (NaNa), National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA), and the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Coordinating Center (NCCRM).
The tour commenced at the NPCS office in Banjul, where Vice President Jallow and his delegation were welcomed by officials who provided a detailed update on the secretariat’s progress and challenges. Productive discussions ensued, with the Vice President acknowledging the achievements and efforts of the commission, particularly in areas related to data collection and national planning.
Next, the Vice President visited the National Nutrition Agency (NaNa) at Bertil Herding Highway, where Director Malang Fofana highlighted the agency’s key programs, its successes in combating malnutrition, and the challenges it faces in scaling its initiatives.
At the Food Safety and Quality Authority complex, the Director briefed the Vice President on the institution’s role in safeguarding the quality of food products in the country. The agency’s achievements were noted, as were the hurdles in maintaining food safety standards amidst a growing population.
The tour continued to the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Coordinating Center (NCCRM), a crucial institution for disaster risk management. Discussions at the center centered around its mandate, its vital role in early warning systems, and the challenges faced in ensuring effective response mechanisms to natural disasters.
Following this, Vice President Jallow visited the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), where the Executive Director provided a detailed overview of the agency’s accomplishments, including the introduction of the Adaptive Social Protection System. The agency’s work in data management and enhancing social support was also discussed, along with ongoing challenges related to funding and resource allocation.
The final stop of the tour was at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in Kanifing, where Executive Director Mr. Dahaba outlined the agency’s efforts in disaster preparedness and response. The Vice President was briefed on the agency’s successes, including its response to both natural and man-made disasters, and was made aware of the challenges it faces in terms of resources and logistical support.
Throughout the tour, the heads of the agencies expressed their gratitude for the Vice President’s attention to their sectors, emphasizing that the visit demonstrated a strong commitment from the government to enhance the effectiveness of these institutions. The visit served as a platform for open dialogue, allowing for the identification of areas that need improvement and the formulation of strategies to overcome them.
In his concluding remarks, Vice President Jallow commended the staff of the various agencies for their hard work and dedication. He praised the remarkable progress made by each institution and reassured the sectors of the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges identified during the visits. He emphasized that the government would continue to support these institutions in delivering high-quality services to the Gambian people.
This tour highlights Vice President Jallow’s commitment to strengthening the institutions under his purview, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the needs of the citizens in line with the government’s priorities for national development.
