Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Toshiko Abe’s Visit to Brikama Fish Market (Japanese Grand Aid in fiscal year 2008)

On Monday 12th August 2013, Her Excellency Dr. Toshiko Abe, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan visited the Brikama Fish Market during her official mission to The Gambia. The Fish Market was constructed within the framework of the Japanese Grand Aid (126 million Dalasi) in Japanese fiscal year 2008 and has been in use since 2010.

On arrival at the Fish Market, Dr. Abe was welcomed by Mr. Lamin Sanneh, Governor of West Coast Region, Mr. Bakary Sanneh, Chairman of Brikama Area Council (BAC), Ms. Mariama Bah-Saine, Vice Chairman of BAC, Ms. Isatou Tamba, Manager of Brikama Fish Market, Agents of the Department of fisheries and many women fish retailers and. After Ms. Tamba’s explanations about the facilities, Dr. Abe walked around inside the Fish Market.

Brikama is the center city of West Coast Region with 30% of the population of The Gambia. Due to its location, it is a key transportation junction which links the coastal area marked by economic growth, and the inland area marked by agriculture as a main industry. Brikama Market provides food to a large number of people, as a wide area retail market. There is a great demand of fish, in particular floating fish at a low price, due to population growth in the neighboring areas as a result of immigrants coming from the inland.

Before the construction of the Fish Market, the market in Brikama could not provide fresh fish in a stable and hygienic environment because of lack of retail and storage facilities as well as equipments. Fish retailers used to be dispersed and had to sell fish at street stalls. Under these circumstances, 10 to 15 % of fish was spoiled or sold at a bargain price because of deterioration and damages caused during its handling and selling.

The Brikama Fish Market constructed by Japan enabled woman fish retailers to preserve the fish, brought from port in the freezer of the Brikama Fish Market on the same day, then sell the fish the following morning. Customers are now able to buy fresh fish in a stable and hygienic environment.

At the end of the visit, Ms. Isatou Tamba, Manager of Brikama Fish Market, reported to the Japanese delegation that the current Brikama Fish Market has increased woman fish retailers’ income, allowing them to take in charge their children’s educational fees.

Mr. Lamin Sanneh, Governor of West Coast Region expressed his gratitude for Japanese support to the construction of the Brikama Fish Market and declared his determination to continue efforts for its appropriate operation and maintenance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo1 :At the entrance of the Fish Market
(from left to right : Mr. Lamin Sanneh, Governor of West Coast Region, H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Fukada, Ambassador of Japan to The Gambia, H.E. Dr. Toshiko Abe, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Mr. Bakary Sanneh, Chairman of BAC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo2 : Visiting the Fish Market
Dr. Toshiko Abe, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan listening to the explanation of Ms. Tamba, Manager of Brikama Fish Market (second from the right).