By Yunus S Saliu
The City Link Ostend Banjul Project Thursday, 2nd June 2022 launched its 10,000 School Nursery Initiative program for schools, and also handed over some garden materials, tools and seedling to fourteen schools in the city participating in the program during a ceremony held at the Campama Primary School, Banjul.
The launching and handing over ceremony was attended by teachers and their students, members of WABSA and officials from the City Link Ostend Banjul Project.
This newly launched program for the schools under the greening component of the City Link Ostend Banjul Project will be implemented by West Africa Birds Association (WABSA).
The materials and tools handed over to the fourteen schools included wheelbarrows, shovels, hosepipes; hand trowels, rakes; water cans; other garden utensils; seedlings like baobab; and different trees such as moringa, orange, lemon, mango, pawpaw, citrus, avocado, jack fruits, umbrella trees, among other.
Peter Vanslambrouck, City Link Coordinator in Ostend commented on the program saying when it comes to greening, the project works closely with WABSA to organize relevant different activities, noting among the activities is the resurrection of the mangroves while trees are planting to make sure these mangroves become vibrant.
He noted that the mangroves and trees are very important to the existence of the city and also very important as ecosystem, “we work here for the greening of the city which you might have seen some trees popping up in the city.”
He emphasized that importance of trees cannot be underestimated because when you sit close to the tree you become comfortable and when the heat is coming it is also good for water balance and also as ecosystem for birds, insects and other species surrounding us.
He thanked them for accepting to be part of the exercise saying greening of Banjul will make it healthy and nice.
Alfusainey Gano, project manager of City Link Ostend Banjul said to address climate change there is need to participate in solving the problem and “that’s why we are here to support schools and support Banjulians and non-Banjulians to have lots of trees which is in line with our drive to fight climate change having direct impact in our life.”
He assured the schools of their readiness “as a project, we are here to work with you, Act of this City Link came from the EU funded project and one of the project components is greening and we are working with different stakeholders, schools inclusive to make sure that Banjul is green, to have trees and nice city to live.”
Lamin Jobarteh executive director for WABSA expressed delights on the initiative and the launching of the school nursery program in Banjul.
He gave the breakdown of the seedlings and trees for the program as distributed among the fourteen schools totalling 10,000.
The WABSA executive director thanked EU for funding the project and City Link Ostend Banjul project for partnering with WABSA, in an extension, he urged the various school administrations to make sure the project is successful and sustainable in their schools.
Annette Camara, communication officer for City Link Ostend Banjul Project urged them to take up the challenge of greening Banjul City while assured them of more visibility as they progress in the exercise.
Ndey fatou from St Joseph Senior Secondary thanked City Link Ostend Banjul for carrying along the schools in their greening component.
