The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Gambia office yesterday donated seven vehicles and office equipment to various institutions and agencies in the country.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony held at the UN House in Cape Point, Dr Adama Guindo, Officer in Charge, UNDP – Gambia reaffirmed his offices commitment to supporting the development efforts of the government and people of The Gambia through its Country Program Action Plan (CPAP) for 2007 – 2011.

According to him the document has set a five-year framework for mutual co-operation between the government of The Gambia and UNDP, taking into account The Gambia’s long term strategy- Vision 2020- and draw upon the poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP2), the common country assessment (CCA), the United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF) which, he added, collectively reflect the country’s development priorities and embody the national commitment to the attainment of the MDGs.

“In line with its strong commitment, UNDP has launched in 2007 a number of various projects, aimed, among others, at building capacity, particularly of the public and private sector, promoting growth and poverty reduction, supporting good governance, and fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS. Other cross-cutting issues also being addressed include gender equity, advocacy, resource mobilization, beneficial partnerships and co-ordination and the environment and climate change,” he said.

He expressed the hope that the vehicles and equipment donated would contribute to the timely implementation of the project.
Honourable Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, in giving the vote of thanks on behalf of all the beneficiary institutions and agencies, commended the UNDP for their support, guidance and collaboration with the Gambia government. She urged all the beneficiary institutions to put all hands on deck and ensure that the projects are executed effectively for the benefit of all Gambians.

Speaker Ceesay assured the donors that the vehicles and other equipment donated would be put into good use.
The beneficiaries include Rapid Advisory and Capacity Development Facility Project; The Gambia Priority Employment Programme – GAMJOBS; National Assembly Support Project; National Planning Commission and the HIV/AIDS project.

The keys to the vehicles were handed over to the beneficiaries by Mr. Vitalie Muntean, Deputy UNDP Resident Representative.

Mrs Sainabou Gaye, UNDP Communications, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Analyst, chaired the ceremony.