Fire Outbreak at Social Welfare

Three offices of the Gambia Association of the Physically Disabled (GAPD) at the Department of Social Welfare were last Friday badly damaged by fire.

In an interview with this paper yesterday in Banjul, Momodou Savage, Vice President, GAPD said he was informed about the fire at around 10.30pm by the association’s president to visit the scene in order to substantiate the cause of the fire incident.

Mr. Savage stated that upon arrival he found the whole office gutted with fire, but with the intervention of the Fire Service personnel it was under control.

He described the fire incident as a total setback to their association, noting that they have lost their computers, photocopiers, printers, telephones, files, office furniture.

He pointed out that they had lost very important files adding that it was a real struggle on the side of the association before getting the office.

“This office is the link between us and our members,” he said.

He appealed to President Jammeh and other philanthropist to come to their aid to rebuild the structures and also to provide office equipment to the association.

Mr. Savage pointed out that the association supports the education of the school going of its members and also engages members in skills training among others.

For his part, Abraham Mendy, Administrative Secretary of the association also called on donor agencies to lend their support to the association.

He thanked the staff and director of Social Welfare for their support since the incident occurred.