As part of efforts to salvage the residents of Ebo Town from the woes of flooding, a multitude of people from various walks of life on Saturday took to the homes and streets of the area to drain stagnant waters in the compounds as well as to clean the streets of filth.

As part of Saturday’s activities, waterways were also dug in the area to facilitate the smooth-flow of water with a view to preventing or better-still lessening the impacts of flooding.

Participants in the exercise came from the Gambia Armed Forces, the National Disaster Management Committee, National Environment Agency, Disaster Management Committee of KMC, Gambia Fire and Ambulance Services, Gambia Police Force and a cross-section of Ebo Town community.

The Chairperson of KMC Disaster Management Committee, Musa Mendy, said the activities were informed by the deplorable state of conditions in Ebo Town thanks to torrential rains in that part of Kanifing municipality.

He added that the residents of the area have endured lot of problems such as water-borne diseases like cholera. Councilor Mendy explained that some lives have been lost to cholera some two years ago in Ebo Town and that KMC is working tirelessly to avert the recurrence of such situations.

He thanked UNICEF, UNDP, Concern Universal and the Gambian/Danish Association for ‘immensely’ contributing to the alleviation of the sufferings of the people of Ebo Town by giving the Government spades, rain boots, gloves and chlorinated water.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Roger Bakurin, pointed out that the exercise was in response to a request made by the Vice President of The Gambia who’s also the Chairperson of the National Disaster Committee, Madam Isatou Njie-Saidy.

He pointed out that the work completed in Ebo Town on Saturday was just a remedial one but more sustainable approach like proper drainage system must be put in place.

UNDP’s representative, Almamy Camara, stated that disaster in any nature is a national calamity that one knows not the magnitude of havoc it can wreak.

He therefore implored all and sundry to be each other’s keeper.

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of Disaster Management, Mr. Essa Khan, highlighted the need for sustainable interventions in disaster management, adding that the need for a comprehensive disaster framework is needed by encompassing prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response mechanisms.

The Executive Director of NEA, Mr. Momodou B. Sarr, commended the members of the various security agencies for the ‘tremendous’ work they’ve done during the exercise.

He also informed the residents of Ebo Town about some of the regulations contained in Anti-Littering Regulations of 2007.