By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
In a bid of reengineering climate change adaption and coastal risk management within the country, Ministry of Youth Affairs with fund from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has handed over newly-constructed alternative livelihood facility for both Hamilton and Lakka sand miners and coastal people on Wednesday 6th December, 2023 in Hamilton, Freetown.
Patrick Michealson Gibrilla, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs said the newly apartment complex resituated at Hamilton serves as a boost for two coastal communities as a way of mitigating sand mining among others; adding that the facility offers opportunities like hair-dressing, gara-tie-dying, ‘kekeh’ riding and soap making as alternative livelihood components for the coastal people.
He mentioned that the ‘kekehs’ otherwise tricycles would be well-digitalized with coding system that catalogs each distance and minutes cover for a day.
Deputy Minister said the system would be accompanied with a GPS and location mapping for hiring service. “The kekeh riding is a chain work and it has to be diligently utilized and taken care of,” Deputy Minister Gibrilla said.
He thanked UNDP for ensuring the success of the project. Deputy Minister urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the facility as it serves as a test case for subsequent projects especially in Hamilton and Lakka.
Joyce Musu Ellie, Focal Person of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said the Ministry of Youth Affairs and UNDP have undergone severe training facilities for coastal people for the enhancement of effective alternative livelihood opportunities for sand miners and other beneficiaries. “The facility is training hub for the beneficiaries,” madam Ellie said.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity given to them as it happens to be a blessing on their paths.
Sheku Tokowa Ballay, Administration and Finance Officer of Ministry of Youth Affairs said the Alternative Livelihood and Technical Skills Project is rooted from a research compounded by UNDP for coastal risk and adaptation to climate change. He furthered the research was dedicated to youths in the coastal communities of Hamilton and Lakka in an effort of discouraging sand mining, and providing alternative livelihood and sustainability of the people.
Ballay revealed that the UNDP fully-funded project seeks to empower the two communities in various disciplines with the monitoring aspects coming from their different headmen who would play the leadership role during the implementation period which commences this month.
He pleaded on behalf of the Youth Ministry for the beneficiaries to remain focus, and properly take good use of the facility together with the opportunities provided. Ballay urged the beneficiaries to frown against sand mining as it causes severe damage to residents around the beaches and the nation as a whole. “If we continue to mine sands, the sea-level will eventually rise exponential and that will bring ripple effects to the environment,” MoYA Admin Officer said.
Foday Tucker, former headman of Lakka community thanked Ministry of Youth Affairs and UNDP for their commitment to providing a newly-built facility that offers alternative livelihood opportunities for the coastal people. He believed that the facility would bring the much-needed benefits for the two coastal communities. He urged the beneficiaries and coastal people to properly utilize the facility for their livelihood and sustainability.
Sahr Manga, Youth Leader of Hamilton Community thanked Ministry of Youths Affairs and UNDP for making the handing over ceremony a success. He said with togetherness and shared vision, the facility would be well manned.
Josephine Caroline Kargbo, one of the beneficiaries appreciated the Ministry of Youth Affairs and UNDP for providing such complex; noting she is privy to making gara-tie-dying and soap production. She said with the opportunity being accorded, her work would become easy and smooth. She hoped to replicate the skills to other people in the future.
