At least 350 soldiers of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), including military instructors from the Fajara Barracks, yesterday thronged the Coastal Road highway for a major cleansing exercise.

The soldiers - led by the commander of the GAF Training School, Captain Kawsu Sanyang and Lieutenant Seedy Joof - cleared the grasses and solid waste along the highway, from the Traffic Lights on Kairaba Avenue via Senegambia to Banjul International Airport.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer, Capt Kawsu Sanyang said the exercise - initiated by the chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba - is in line with their duties as a national military institution.

Capt Sanyang said clearing grasses along the roadsides will not only beautify the highway, but it will also enable the drivers to see the traffic from a long distance when driving.

Capt Sanyang said their target is to complete the area assigned to them within the shortest possible period, adding that "as a soldier they don't have the choice to work, but it is the boss who determines what we should do".

He confirmed that this is not the first time GAF is committing itself to such civic roles, especially with regards to environmental sanitation.

Capt Sanyang expressed optimism that GAF will continue to venture in civil work whenever the need arises. He commended the brigadier general for the initiative and called on the civil society to always keep the environment clean.

Speaking earlier, Lt Joof emphasised the importance the government attaches to the exercise. He then called on those in the habit of throwing plastic waste and pollutants on the streets and highways to desist from it, as it makes the exercise difficult for them, besides destroying the beautiful outlook of the environment.