British High Commission supports small scale projects

As part of the British High Commission’s Bilateral Programme Budget Fund, aimed at supporting projects in The Gambia, His Excellency, Phil Sinkinson, the British High commissioner to The Gambia, yesterday signed a contract with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), worth D370,000 to support 40 small scale projects under the Voluntary Service Overseas throughout the country.

The signing ceremony, held at the High Commission’s premises in Fajara, was preceded by the presentation of a cheque for ten thousand pounds sterling, equivalent to D370,000 to the VSO. This support from the British High Commission came at the request of the VSO, after identification of the beneficiary projects, which are community owned and managed with the support of experts from the VSO office.

Speaking at the ceremony, High Commissioner Phil Sinkinson said his government will continue to work closely with the volunteers to complement its objectives in The Gambia. He underscored the importance of the support of the Bilateral Programme Budget (BPB) in the High Commission’s quest to attain its objectives in the country. According to him, projects funded under the BPB make a significant contribution beyond the level of an individual community either as a demonstration project or by training trainers.

He acknowledged the services of the VSO in the country and remarked that the sum, though small, will help the communities to improve on their projects. Receiving the cheque, Haddijatou Lamin-Njie, country director of VSO, thanked High Commissioner Sinkinson and his team for supporting them. According to her, annually they receive assistance from the British High Commission.

All these money, she said, will go a long way in assisting them in their bid to contribute to the development of the country. She expressed optimism that the money will be used properly for the development of the communities concerned.