Yankuba Touray, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, on day one of his tour of institutions and projects under his purview country wide, last Tuesday inaugurated a D3 million JICA Rural Water Supply phase II (2) in Sutusinjang, Western Region.

The Sutusinjang water project is part of the D180 million JICA rural water supply phase II to be implemented in 20 sites country wide.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony ,SoS Touray, who also double as the APRC national mobiliser, said amongst the myriads of his department’s achievements of development objectives since the second Republic, is access to safe drinking water by the Gambian communities. According to him 85.1% of the Gambian population have access to safe drinking water which surpassed the MDG target of 75% by 2015.

“I must also emphasise that donor support and partnership, which we continue to cherish from friendly countries like Japan, is a sinquanon for the speedy realisation of the aforementioned objectives.”

SoS Touray extend his heart felt appreciation to the government of Japan on behalf of the Gambian leader President Yahya Jammeh for the invaluable assistance in various sectors of the Gambian economy, hence contributing in no little ways to the achievement of our millennium development goals.

Mr Tamotsu Ikezaki, Charge D’Affairs of the embassy of Japan, also speaking at the occasion said in 1992 the government of Japan began financing a project for integration water use in conformity with its desire to give high priority to basic needs in cooperation with The Gambia.

According to the Japanese Charge D’affairs, the project will enabled to settle piped water supply system in 20 sites and will change 4 sites with a solar pumping system, he said

SoS Touray also visited the Bintang fishing site, the Sibanor water pyramid, and the Tendaba fishing site.

On day two of his tour, SoS Touray who was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Lamin Nyabally, visited the D5 million Dankunku water project and the Basse metrological station.At Dankunku, SoS Touray assured the villagers that his department will soon comence the training of village water committees to be able to take care of their water projects. He also assured women gardeners that his department, in collaboration with the department of Agriculture, will work on modalities in getting the women of Dankunku water supply from their water project.

The Secretary of State Yankuba Touray on day three of his tour visited the Kuntaur fish landing site and had a meeting with fishermen. He then proceeded to Kaur metrological station.

SoS Touray used the occasion to sensitise the public on World Water and Metrological Day celebration.