The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Banjul Tuesday presented a cheque amounting to US$3,84000,963 [D92.5million] to the government of The Gambia at a ceremony held at the Office of the Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service at State House in Banjul.

The money is earmarked for the procurement of vehicles for the government with a view to enhance mobility. Presenting the cheque, Samuel Cheng, the Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia described the donation as vital to the bilateral relationship between Banjul and Taipei. He said that the move would profoundly help improve and increase the mobility of the government, particularly in its efforts to implement the Progromme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE), as well as its decentralisation process.

“It would echo on the policies of the government in terms of the PAGE implementation,” Cheng further stated, adding that the donation would be relevant to the government as it would also help the local people at the grassroots level.

Receiving the cheque, Dr Njogu Bah, the secretary general and head of the Civil Service on behalf of the Gambian government, described the amount as huge, while adding that the government is the only major service provider to Gambians. He said that mobility would be very instrumental in terms of the implementation of PAGE.  “We highly cherish your involvement and we want to thank you on behalf of the president for this good gesture,” SG Bah added.

He then described Taiwan as a true and real friend.“The Gambia believes in the core values we share and we will always stand by you and always be your voice,” he assured Ambassador Cheng. SG Bah further assured that the vehicles will be well taken care of, to enable them serve long in the near future.

The acting secretary to Cabinet, Ramou Cole-Ceesay, was also present at the occasion.