President Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday inspected the local government-led ongoing environmental sanitation exercise taking place along the coastal road in preparation for The Gambia's 41st Independence anniversary.

Men and officers of the Gambia Armed Forces (Gaf), the Police, Immigration and the Fire and Ambulance Services, as well as youth, women and teenagers are all taking part in the exercise which began at the Traffic Lights.

Speaking to journalists shortly before his departure, President Jammeh said the exercise was meant keep the roads clean as well as our houses, adding that it is an ongoing event that was complementary to 'Operation Clean the Nation'. According to him, most tourists pass through the coastal highway when they come to the country. "It doesn't tell well about the country if people come only to find out it's not clean. It is the image of our country," he said.

President Jammeh then added: "We do not want to celebrate our 41st Independence anniversary in dirty streets. From now right up until the AU Summit, this is going to be a regular event."

According to him, the exercise has nothing to do with politics.

He attributed the significant reduction in malarial prevalence ,not only to the use of impregnated bed nets, but also a clean environment. "It is also because of the clean environment," he noted.