By Mahzouba Maya Faal
The Vice President of the republic His Excellency Mohammed B.S Jallow, last week received in audience the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC), Alice Albright, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation from Washington DC, USA.
The CEO was accompanied to the Office of the President by United States Ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency Sharon L. Cromer.
Madam Albright’s visit provides the opportunity for the two dignitaries to continue discussions on MCC’s two main areas in The Gambia - the Threshold and Compact Programmes.
She underlined the significance of the Threshold Programme, which aims to improve the availability of energy in the country, while the Compact Programme - one of their largest programmes - will aim to explore the potentials of The Gambia River for opportunities to invest in The Gambia Ports Authority (GRA) among others.
Moreover, the Programme aims to invest in the education sector of the country in order to create more opportunities for the youth of The Gambia; especially in the crucial areas of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The US Ambassador to The Gambia, Sharon L Cromer, commended The Gambia Government and its people for the “incredible democratic and economic strides in the past seven years”. She described CEO Albrights’ visit as a demonstration of the deepening partnership between the US and the people of The Gambia.
Following the meeting, Vice President Jallow led the MCC delegation together with the Ministers of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, Finance and Economic Affairs, the Gambian Ambassador to the US, Secretary to Cabinet and other senior government officials on a conducted tour of The Gambia Ports premises. The tour provided the delegation with first-hand information regarding the structure and system of GRA, which will guide the MCC investment process in understanding The Gambia’s energy sector.
The Managing Director of The Gambia Ports Authority, Mr Ousman Jobarteh said the MCC will open greater opportunities for The Gambia and improve the energy and transportation system, among others. The MCC delegation was scheduled to visit relevant places including The Gambia River, schools, engage with entrepreneurs, government officials and donor partners.
