By Mama A. Touray

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Fatounatta Jammeh, the trailblazing CEO of Chefab Car Wash, shared her inspiring journey as a car wash operator on the Bijilo highway. Amidst the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, she passionately expressed her vision for expanding her business, aiming to establish more branches throughout the country. With a focus on creating employment opportunities for young people, Jammeh is committed to empowering the next generation and making a meaningful impact in her country.

“I want Chefab Car Wash to have as many branches as possible across the country and employ young people, especially women,” she told TFN.

Speaking to TFN about the Jammeh challenges she encountered while starting the business, Jammeh said: “We all know that the starting of a business is always difficult, especially when it comes to having employees in jobs like car wash. When I started, people would come and go because customers are not many at the start and money is not coming in as well and maintaining them is usually hard without pay”.

Jammeh, while pleased with the construction of the new OIC road, laments its impact on her business. Previously, customers could easily turn into her shop, but now they must drive to the Bijilo junction to access it.

“When customers wish to visit, they call me expressing their desire to come to my shop but mention that the road is now too far. Regular customers, who would typically reach Kasumai junction and then proceed to my shop, are finding that the construction of the new road has significantly impacted my business,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Jammeh sheds light on the origin of her idea to become a car wash operator.

“My inspiration came about after watching a video of a Nigerian woman on YouTube who was doing a car wash, and then I said to myself if this Nigerian woman can do a car wash job why not I also try to be the first lady in the Gambia to do a car wash. That was how I started, but did [I] not attend any professional classes. I just watched videos on YouTube about the job then I ventured into it”.

Jammeh described her approach to dealing with the stereotypes associated with women entering male-dominated fields: “The mentality that a Gambian has is that car wash is meant for men only, so I was well prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to see to it that I do this work despite all what they have to say”.

Chefab Car Wash, established on October 9, 2023, provides a range of services including carpet cleaning, home service, and office cleaning.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) management recently conducted a day-long media sensitisation regarding the government’s agreement with the Albayrak Group to expand the Banjul port and construct a new deep-sea port in Sanyang.

This engagement followed widespread concerns about transparency and proper vetting of the contract, prompting the GPA to involve the media and provide detailed information from the consultation phase to the final contract awarding.

During the meeting, attended by media leaders and senior journalists at a local hotel in Kololi, GPA management presented several initiatives related to the concession and delivered a thorough presentation of the project.

This media engagement marked the third in a series following meetings with staff and National Assembly Members. The day-long session served as a platform to offer a detailed understanding of the concession agreement, its objectives, benefits, and expected outcomes, among other aspects.

Project benefits include infrastructure development, economic growth, and job creation.
GPA Managing Director, Ousman Jobarteh, emphasized the media’s role in sharing accurate information about the concession agreement.

Jobarteh noted that port privatization has demonstrated greater efficiency and mentioned that the need for infrastructural development at the port has been a long-standing issue identified over two decades ago.

“Your participation in this project is vital for informing the public,” he told journalists, adding that the project holds significant economic advantages for the country.

He further revealed that the bidding process involved over ten international bidders, including local participants, with seven shortlisted and only three advancing to the final stage, where Albayrak emerged as the most suitable bidder with complete funding and a comprehensive proposal.

“This project will greatly benefit the country, enhancing both economic growth and infrastructure. The Albayrak Group will cover the entire funding, while the government will retain a 20% share,” he stated.

Mr Jobarteh pointed out that the Banjul port has experienced severe congestion over the years, which has notably impacted vessel flow as they spend extended periods in Banjul.

He mentioned that this situation has led many vessels to divert to other countries. He added: “With Albayrak’s involvement, this issue will be resolved, allowing the Banjul port to remain competitive.”

Additionally, Jobarteh addressed staff welfare concerns, stating that the contract was negotiated to ensure a win-win situation and that all staff would be retained.

“The port of Banjul has been overwhelmed by traffic growth to the point that the facility cannot handle the increased volume, resulting in congestion,” he explained.

Jobarteh elaborated on the rationale behind this public-private partnership, emphasizing that it serves the country’s interests. Journalists were also given the chance to pose questions and seek further clarifications regarding the concession agreement, which GPA management addressed.

Lamin Cham, the Editor-in-Chief of the Standard Newspaper, inquired about how port congestion impacts market price increases and commended the GPA for the initiative.
In response, Mr Jobarteh stated: “If vessels are stranded at sea, they incur additional fees charged to importers, which ultimately leads to these costs being reflected in the prices of goods and services, thus affecting the market.”

Jobarteh noted that a rigorous process was followed, and a comprehensive assessment was conducted prior to the contract award. “Performance is crucial here, and it is explicitly outlined in the contract. The government will oversee Albayrak’s performance,” he explained.

By Dawda Baldeh

In a move designed to help transform inmates into productive citizens, Kabboumb Academy and Gambia Prison Services (GPS) Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on changing the lives of inmates through education and training.

The ceremony was characterized by a sense of hope and teamwork, with Abdoulie Bojang, the Academic Director and Founder of Kabboumb Academy, leading his committed team alongside Ansumana Manneh, the Director General of Gambia Prison Services.

This forward-thinking partnership is set to initiate a comprehensive educational and training program for prisons that will benefit both inmates and prison staff over the next five years.

The MOU details a commitment to offering a diverse array of educational programs, including web design and development, dental technology, legal and psychology courses, aluminium design and fabrication, graphic design, public policy, social work, community development, business development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, among others.

With programs available from certificate to postgraduate levels, this initiative aims to empower over 5,000 inmates, transforming them into self-sufficient and productive members of society.

The event was attended by distinguished officials from both Kabboumb Academy and Gambia Prison Services, who shared their excitement for this transformative project.

The prison authorities have already designated a specific structure and space to support these educational programs, ensuring that inmates have the necessary resources to succeed.

“This partnership is not solely focused on education; it’s about providing individuals with a second chance,” said Abdoulie Bojang the Academic Director of Kabboumb Academy.

“We believe that every individual has the potential to make a positive contribution to society, and through this initiative, we seek to equip them with the skills and knowledge required to flourish,” he added.

Director of Prison Ansumana Manneh reiterated these thoughts, highlighting the significance of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

“By investing in education and training for our inmates, we are investing in a brighter future for our communities,” he remarked.

As the signing ceremony came to a close, the atmosphere was filled with hope and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

This partnership between Kabboumb Academy and Gambia Prison Services represents a crucial advancement toward nurturing a culture of learning and development within the prison system, paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive society.

Officials said by signing the MoU they are sparking a movement that will inspire change, empower lives, and establish a legacy of hope for future generations.

By Michaella Faith Wright

The Agro Youth Project Gambia, managed by Yero Bah under the Collective Action for Sustainable Development Organization, is driving agricultural development across the West Coast Region through training programs and sustainable solutions to address challenges faced by local farmers.

The Agro Youth Project Gambia is being implemented in the West Coast Region to promote agro-entrepreneurship and sustainable farming practices. “We are conducting several activities, starting with data collection to inform our agro-entrepreneurship training program for selected trainers,” Yero Bah, the project manager, explained.

The project emphasizes the Training of Trainers model, where participants undergo five days of intensive sessions in agricultural entrepreneurship. The project also integrates UNLEASH Hack Gambia, a global initiative aimed at identifying local agricultural challenges and developing solutions. As part of the project, team members visit farmers and agriculturalists to understand their struggles and explore ways to resolve them.

One of the primary challenges identified during these visits is water scarcity, which continues to hinder crop production. “After assessing these challenges, we returned to conduct further workshops to align with our partners in Germany,” said Bah. The project not only focuses on technical agricultural practices but also introduces business strategies to help farmers see agriculture as a viable commercial enterprise.

Another milestone of the Agro Youth Project is the successful training of 15 agricultural trainers, conducted in collaboration with German partners through both online and in-person sessions. Additionally, 16 women entrepreneurs from the West Coast Region participated in intensive workshops designed to empower them and promote gender inclusion in the agricultural sector.

“Through these initiatives, we hope to shift perceptions about agriculture in The Gambia and provide solutions for a better future where the country can produce its own food,” Bah emphasized. He also highlighted the importance of patience and knowledge in agriculture, stressing that sustainable farming requires time and dedication.

The project aims to build capacity across agricultural institutions in The Gambia, encouraging collaboration to overcome challenges such as resource management, commercial agriculture skills, and sustainable farming practices.

“We want to create a better Gambia — one that can meet its food needs independently and empower farmers through knowledge and entrepreneurship,” said Bah, manager of Agro Youth Project Gambia

By Alieu Jallow

Following a tragic incident in North Bank where seven NAWEC subcontractors were killed due to electrocution, Abdou Ceesay, a health and safety officer, emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures and accountability, noting that the incident could have been averted or minimized if proper safety measures had been put in place. 

He cited negligence and regulatory failures in an interview with The Fatu Network.

Last Wednesday, October 9, the North Bank community was shocked by a tragic electrocution event that claimed the lives of seven individuals. Reports indicated that the victims were changing an old electric pole when a sudden surge of electricity struck, leading to a cascade of devastation.

“My observation of this tragic incident is total negligence of safety measures as they were working basically without personal protective equipment as they only had a helmet which was not tied to their heads and some of them were using slippers to work,” he said.

During the ongoing police investigations, Ceesay claimed that the company did not comply with safety regulations nor properly train their employees for working in hazardous conditions.

He also pointed out that the reflectors worn by them were not suitable, as they provided only static light and were therefore not recommended.

“It is just a negligent conduct. The safety officers in the company did not live up to expectations as they flouted the safety measures,” Ceesay said.

The tragic outcome of this incident brings to light wider issues regarding regulatory compliance and enforcement in The Gambia. In response, Ceesay stated that his foundation would push for the implementation of a safety policy act across all Gambian institutions to prevent such unfortunate fatalities.

“Effective regulatory frameworks are essential to prevent such tragedies. We can only sympathise and sensitise, and we will try to work with the government to provide a sympathy package for victims”.