The Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital each received two vehicles, whilst the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) received one each.
In her remarks at the occasion, Dr. Njie-Saidy stressed the need for proper maintenance of public vehicles, saying President Jammeh is always committed to equip and empower institutions for effective service delivery. “To ensure a longer life span of the vehicles, maintenance is a critical factor,” she said.
The veep described the gesture as not surprising in that President Jammeh has always been giving support to not only government institutions, but those of the private sector as well.
The vice president appealed to the beneficiaries to ensure that the vehicles are carefully and properly handled, while stressing the need for careful driving. “The president has done his part by providing good road networks and transportation. What is now left is for us to put up efforts to ensure standard delivery in public work,” she remarked.
The secretary general, head of the Civil Service and minister of Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally, described the donation as another demonstration of the Gambian leader’s generosity, noting that it will enhance mobility in the beneficiary institutions.
“I call on you all to ensure that you use the vehicles for only official use,” he told the beneficiaries, while recalling numerous supports extended to both the public and private institutions by the president.
The SG told the beneficiaries that the vehicles will be closely monitored, stressing that any future assistance will be dependent on how well the vehicles have been handled.
The acting chief justice of The Gambia, Emanuel Fangbenle, expressed his appreciation to President Jammeh for the donation, saying the vehicles will help the Ministry of Justice strengthen justice delivery to the doorsteps of Gambians. “It has addressed our transportation needs and we assure that we will continue to deliver well in the service of the nation,” he pledged.