Kanifing Municipal Council, on Thursday disbursed D615,500 to six wards under its jurisdictions at a presentation ceremony held at the KMC ground in Kanifing.

The beneficiaries included Bakoteh Mandinka, Bakoteh Wollof, Abuko Mandinka, Abuko Jola, Latrikunda Yiringanya and Latrikunda Sabiji classes respectively. Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries, Yankuba Colley, Acting Deputy Mayor of KMC said, President Jammeh has made the advancement of Gambian women his priority and thereby gives some key government positions to them.

“Due to the interest the President has for the Gambian women and youths, government have decided to negotiate for the community skills improvement project (CSIP), a six year project funded by the African Development Bank and The Gambia government,” he said.

 He added that the project among others aims at making the Gambia women literate in their own language, acquire income generating skills as well as providing micro finance credit to them.

Deputy Mayor Colley noted that the coming of the CSIP project will pave way to women and enable them access to loan without hindrance.  He added that since the beginning of the project in 2003 in the municipality, KMC, unlike other regions in the country, thirteen literacy centres have been in operations along side with skills education.

Aja Kassa Sanneh, Community Development Officer at the KMC also expressed her delight at the presentation, she urged the women groups to utilise the money wisely.

Lamin Jobarteh, representative of Social Development Fund, re-echoed similar sentiments.  He urged them to be wise in using the funds.  He told the women groups since their request has been fulfilled they should give a positive result, noting that the program is expected to continue if the debt are paid on time.