Community infrastructure projects 'succeeding in the Gambia'
14 October 2010
Improvements to water, road and health infrastructure in the Gambia have seen success, due to the cooperative aspect of the work.
The World Bank has revealed the community-driven development project (the CDDP) has been met with a positive response in the African country.
Funded by the International Development Association and the government of Japan, the CDDP has already provided finance for some 737 schemes.
And the bank notes an additional 361 ventures will be completed by 2012.
Sectors to benefit from the initiative include sanitation, health, water, roads, education and commerce.
Lamine Diatta, the headman of one of the villages to benefit from a CDDP, says: "Our ambition is to become an example of community-driven development in the Gambia."
Earlier this year, the World Bank approved the Integrated Financial Management and Information System Project in the Gambia, providing $4 million (£2.5 million) in funding.
It noted the money will increase the country's capacity in public resource management.