By Haruna Kuyateh

The community of Kerr Wally in Lower Niumi has expressed gratitude towards the donation of a tractor which has contributed significantly to improving livelihoods and supporting local development for the villagers.

The community commended: the Office of the President, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Programme for Accelerated Community Development (PACD) and the Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery (DSPD) for their support towards strengthening community development and resilience.

The villagers described a recent study visit by the Speaker of the Parliament of Lesotho and his delegation as historic, saying the intervention through the provision of a tractor had contributed significantly to improving livelihoods and supporting development process in the community.

The visit was aimed at promoting shared learning and networking between The Gambia and Lesotho, particularly on community-led development and the management of agricultural resources.

PACD is a flagship initiative of President Adama Barrow and forms part of the government’s response to requests made by communities during the annual Meet-the-People-Tours.

According to the community, 55 months of tractor operations have strengthened its capacity to manage the donated equipment efficiently while generating resources to finance development projects.

Momodou Sarr, Chairman of the Tractor Management Committee, told The Voice that the tractor had contributed significantly to community development and helped promote sustainable livelihoods.

He said the visit by the Speaker of Lesotho and a UNDP Gambia delegation provided an opportunity to showcase how the community had managed the four-wheel-drive tractor and reinvested its proceeds in development projects.

Sarr disclosed that the tractor generated more than D3 million during its 55 months of operation and currently has a net profit of D1,443,147.23.

He said D769,620 had been invested in various community development projects, including the purchase of a coos milling machine for D43,000, payment of village rates and taxes amounting to D42,400 over two years, construction of a village mosque at D144,000 and purchase of a power tiller costing D200,000.

Other investments included D28,000 for the rehabilitation of the community clinic, D25,330 for the Arabic school, D173,890 for the clinic staff quarters, D23,000 for maintenance of the water borehole, D35,000 for cattle drinking points, D39,000 for cattle, and D16,000 for plates used during community ceremonies.

Sarr said the tractor had strengthened unity within the community and enabled residents to respond more quickly to development needs.

He added that the initiative had encouraged beneficiaries to work collectively to increase agricultural production and productivity and improve food security.

He commended community members for taking ownership of the donated tractor and supporting its effective management.

The committee reported total expenditure of D2,283,485 during the 55-month operational period.

Alkalo Ousman Joof of Kerr Wally thanked the government and UNDP for the support, saying the tractor had played an important role in strengthening community development and mobilizing resources.

He also commended the Tractor Management Committee for its management, accountability and consultation with community members.

Modou Joof, Chairman of the Village Development Committee, and Women’s Leader Amie Jobe also praised PACD for strengthening community resilience, particularly through the empowerment of women and young people.

They commended the Tractor Management Committee for promoting accountability and for investing in a power tiller to enhance vegetable production and a milling machine to reduce the workload of women and girls.

They said the intervention had contributed to the transformation and empowerment of the community by involving residents in the design and implementation of development projects.

The community described the 55-month tractor operation as transparent, accountable and participatory, saying it had demonstrated the potential of community-led development initiatives to support sustainable local development.