Musa Gibril Balla Gaye, Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs on Wednesday tabled before members of the National Assembly, US$4.870 Million dollars, a loan agreement between the Republic of The Gambia and the Islamic Development Bank for the participation in financing the provision of 100 water points in four Divisions in The Gambia for ratification.

The loan amounting to Islamic Dinnar 3,340,000, equivalent to US$4.870 Million, approximately D139 Million, is meant for the participation of the Islamic Development Bank in financing the provision of 100 watering points in four regions in the country.
Presenting the loan, SoS Gaye said the objective of this project is to improve access to clean and portable water for the population living in the rural areas of the Gambia. He added that it will also improve sanitary conditions of the population and will result in better health and that the objective will be achieved by providing 100 boreholes in CRR, NBR,, LRR and WR.

He added that, this infrastructure will improve access to clean portable water to a number of people currently exposed to water borne diseases due to the use of polluted water or the scarcity of water availability during the dry season in particular. He said that the component of the project are civil works for the 90 boreholes equipped with hand pumps and 10 other boreholes powered by solar panels system and comprising elevated water tanks and five networks.

“The 90 boreholes are spread as follows; five in Foni Bondali, five in Foni Bintang, three in Foni Kansala, three in Foni Jarrol, one in Kiang Central, seven in Kiang East, two in Kombo South, three in Lower Nuimi, one in Upper Nuimi, two in Central Baddibou, eight in Upper Baddibou, two in Lower Saloum, four in Upper Saloum, four in Nianija, five in Niani, three in Sami, four in Niamina Dankunku, three in Niamina West, two in Niamina East, nine in Upper Fulladou West, four in Fulladu West, one in Jarra East, one in Jarra Central, one in Jarra West, one in Kiang East, two in Kiang West, one in Kantora, two in Wuli, three in Sandu” he revealed.

SoS Gaye further indicated that the remaining ten other boreholes with solar pumping, the distribution is as follows; one in Foni Brefet, one in Foni Bondali, one in Foni Jarrol, one each in Niamina West and East, one in Lower Nuimi, one in Upper Baddibou, one in Kiang West, two in Fulladou East. He added that component three of the project is the training noting that village water committees will be set up in each targeted village and train in the operation and maintenance of water facilities, connection fields and other related fields. He added that, in this way, a sense of ownership will be maintained and that the training will be conducted by the regional staff.

He then clearly emphasised that the borrower will be paid the principal amount of the loan in 30 years including a grace period of 10 years commencing from on the date of the agreement in 40 equal and consecutive semi-annual installations. He noted that the borrower shall also pay a service fee of an amount of initially estimated ID 289.912 in a manner set in the agreement.