Haddy S. Njie, Treasurer, Gambia Teacher Credit Cooperative Union (GTUCCU) has said that the union has spent four million, seven hundred and fifty two thousand, nine hundred and ninety eight dalasis (D4,752,998) on the construction of a new teachers’  headquarters in Kanifing.

Madam Njie disclosed that the total project cost was D5,889,816,  but an amount of D1,136,818 was paid in the early part of 2007 and that part of the final figure in 2007 shall form part of the report at the 2008 AGM. She added that the total cost was borne by themselves and a substantial sum of 30,000 Euro was paid by the Irish National Teacher Organisation (INTO).

Delivering her annual report at the GTU’s 10th Annual General Meeting held at the GTU head office on MDI Road in Kanifing recently, Mrs. Njie outlined the income and expenditure revealing that the total income had increased from D5,449,521 to D5,956, 934. She said the amount spent on salaries rose because “We employed four extra staff in May 2006 and every member had to move upwards as annual grade points increased”.

For his part, Numo TF Saidykhan, acting chairman of the GTUCCU Board of Directors said the theme for this year, according to the World Council of Credit Unions, is “Making a world of difference”.  He posited that credit unions have to make a difference in the lives of the people who entrust there future to its philosophy. Mr. Saidykhan noted that the GTUCCU board from the onset was committed to creating better living conditions for all teachers. “We have been described as pacesetters in the past and we vindicated those who might have been branded praise-singers by being the first credit union to build our own state-of-the-art structure called Teachers’ House.