The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) in partnership with the British High Commission launched a solar cold storage project worth US $9,652.51 for the women who engaged in vegetable business at Serekunda market in the Gambia.
The project is designed to help women engage in the vegetable business to minimize the high percentage loss of vegetables due to the lack of cold storage facility within the market. Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor of KMC, Talib Ahmed Bensouda said that the cold storage facility which is solar powered is meant to ensure that the risk of spoilage of vegetables is reduced or eliminated.
Mayor Bensouda expressed hope that the project would go a long way to ensure that the losses are eliminated and also for women to do better in their businesses as far as vegetables are concerned. He also disclosed plans to expand the project to all other 18 markets within the municipality.
The British High Commissioner in The Gambia, H.E. David Belgrove, OBE, said that the project is part of their response because they know how hard it is for the market women during this pandemic.
He explained that the project is sustainable and would help women to store their products in a cool environment. Ambassador Belgrove also thanked Mayor Bensouda and his councillors for working so hard towards the success of the project.
Musu Meta Manneh, a representative of the women beneficiaries, expressed delight and thanked the benefactors for what she described as a milestone project ever received since the establishment of the market.
According to her, the project, as the first cold storage for vegetables within the country will go a long way in helping them to preserve their vegetables.
