The Chief of Lower Baddibu, Alhagie Fafanding Kinteh has commended the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh for the numerous developments registered in the country in 2009.

He described the year ending as a successful year noting that the North Bank Region and his district in particular benefitted from numerous government development projects. The district chief was speaking to this reporter recently at Kinteh Kunda Janneh Ya in Lower Baddibu District.

According to him, the development projects by government and NGOs in the area contributed immensely in improving the well-being of the people. He cited the Gambia Rice Project, the Greater Kerewan Water Supply Project and the establishment of a skills training centre for youths by the Community Skill Improvement Project (CSIP) as examples. Most importantly, he said, is the maintenance of peace and stability without which there cannot be any development.

The chief hailed the Gambian leader for the laudable initiative of building partnership with the Taiwanese Technical Mission for the design of the Gambia Rice Project, noting that it has contributed greatly in meeting the household food requirements of many families. He disclosed that it was through the project that farmers in the area acquired improved high yield quality Nerica seeds and fertilizers and this enabled many people to respond very well to the president's back-to-land-call.

Greater Kerewan Water Project

Commenting on the Greater Kerewan Water Project, Chief Kinteh said that it would provide quality water supply and enhance the health of the people in the community of Kerewan, Suwareh Kunda, Kinteh Kunda Janneh Ya and Saaba. He thanked the Kerewan Area Council, the Ministry of Water Resources and the European Commission for the project.

He then commended all the NGOs in the area for improving the welfare of the grassroots people in the areas of health, education, communication and information, and food security. He assured them of his fullest support towards the realisation of the national development objectives.