Yankuba Touray, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Water Resources has informed members of the National Assembly of the various modalities that his department is undertaking to reduce foreign monopoly in the artisan fisheries industry for Gambians to take charge.

Responding to questions from the NAMs on Monday, SoS Touray said these modalities are many, explaining that his department has established Community Fisheries Centres (CFC) across the country which, he added, are managed by Gambians. He added that there is also an on-going fishermen training programme on coastal and inland fisheries, targeting Gambian youths. “This will be expanded through a new training programme, in collaboration with the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) in the areas of catching, processing and marketing.

On his department’s plan to support fishing in the Lower River Region, especially in Kiang East, SoS Touray said his department, through The Gambia government and ADB/BADEA, has funded Artisanal Fisheries Development Project which has a wide range of benefits for Gambians, particularly the youths. “These include credit facilities for Gambians engaged in artisan fishing activities and upgrading of onshore facilities at Bintang, Albreda and Tendaba. However, the Fisheries department does not have any specific project in Kiang East, but they can benefit from the national programme in the fisheries sector, particularly the capacity building and micro-credit programme,” he noted.

About the status of reinstating the water system in Bwiam and its surrounding villages, SoS Touray revealed that Bwiam water supply system will be upgraded under the new Rural Water Supply Sector Support Programme(RWSSSP), which will commence by the third quarter of 2007.

He then noted that the population of Bwiam and its water requirement is getting above the limits required under the rural water supply programme.