By Anna Marie Valentine
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MoPE) in the weekend commissioned and handed over solar-powered water pumping systems installed in Wassadou and Siffoe women’s community gardens.
The project was jointly implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, with technical and financial support from the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Unique Energy Solutions served as the contractor for the installations.
The Siffoe and Wassadou women’s community gardens are the primary beneficiaries of a US$50,000 grant received from the Government of India through the International Solar Alliance based in India.
The International Solar Alliance is a collaborative international platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies and a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security and driving energy transition in its member countries.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is the Gambian partner institution of the International Solar Alliance, managing all their projects including solar-powered water pumping systems in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
This International Solar Alliance’s support to Siffoe and Wassadou women’s gardens is more than just an investment in new technology. It is an investment in the health, well-being and economic growth of these gardeners and their communities.
Access to water has been a major challenge in many rural communities, and it affects daily living and limits agricultural productivity, which is the backbone of many families in this community.
Fatou Tamba, the women’s organisation president in Wassadou, spoke on the importance of the pumping systems and the impact it will have on the women. “The pump will truly make farming easier for us and encourage more women to join and cultivate more vegetables and crops. It was always difficult for us to fetch water from far and bring it all the way to the farm; but now thankfully we have clean water supply right in our gardens”.
The Deputy Governor of West Coast Region, Honorable Babagalleh Jallow spoke on the importance of empowering women. “Initiatives like these will empower our women and enable them to be self-sufficient; it is a great initiative that the Ministry has taken on.” Hon. Jallow also urged the women to take care of the water pumping systems so that it will serve the community for a long time.
Reading a statement on behalf of the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr Momodou B. Sarr, Adviser to the minister, underscored the importance of empowering women in their communities. “Women are no doubt the pillars of our rural communities, and by empowering them with this new technology, we are empowering an entire community. I therefore believe that we will see improved agricultural productivity within this community and better health outcomes”.
Solar energy is clean and renewable. By using this type of energy, we are also reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change.
