The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) Fans Club, together with hundreds of people from different ethnic groups in The Gambia Sunday embarked on a cleaning exercise on the premises of the nation’s no.1 broadcaster.

Speaking to the Daily Observer shortly after the exercise, the alkalo of Bakau, Alhaji Luntang Jaiteh, expressed delight at the great job carried out by the volunteers and the GRTS Fans Club in keeping the premises of the nation’s broadcaster clean.  

Serign Faye, manager of the GRTS TV and Radio programmes, applauded the volunteers and added that people are now willing to take ownership of the notable institution. He went on to give a brief history of the initiative. “Some years ago some youths from this surrounding came to me and said they want to help GRTS clean its environment. Before, we used to clean the place by ourselves and the prison officials will send some men to come and help us to clean the GRTS premises. That was six years ago and every year the number increases. “This is very important because as you see the premises are habitat to dangerous snakes and reptiles so by helping to clean it, will give a conductive environment to work.  This will make the place free of mosquitoes. We are very happy and wish this initiative will continue.”  

He added: “We want to thank the Mansuwankas, the Manjagos, the Balantas, the Fulas, the Kunjagies, the Jolas, the Mandinkas and all individuals who made it to this set-settal exercise. For his part, the director general of GRTS, Alhaji Momodou Sanyang thanked the volunteers for their hard work and expressed delight at the initiative. He thanked President Jammeh for the massive support he is rendering to the national broadcaster. Sanyang  also thanked the paramount chief, Alhaji Demba Sanyang who made it to the venue despite his busy schedule. “This institution is not ours; we are just privileged to serve here. The people should take ownership of public institutions,” he remarked.

Other speakers at the gathering included the paramount chief, Alhaji Demba Sanyang, Yerro Bah of BB Hotel, and Famara Dampha, director of Technical Services at GRTS Radio. They all expressed similar sentiments.