The Officials From The BAC and Their Partners Marching to Commemorate World Water Day
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Brikama Area Council (BAC) joined the global community on Saturday to commemorate World Water Day, emphasizing the fundamental human right to clean drinking water. The event featured a march-past and discussions centered on the local theme: “Access to Clean Drinking Water: A Fundamental Human Right.”
As part of the commemoration, BAC highlighted its ongoing efforts to expand water access through ward development funds, and partnerships with NGOs, philanthropists, and other stakeholders. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of clean water and encourage community participation in water security initiatives.
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22 since 1993, is a United Nations initiative dedicated to promoting the importance of freshwater resources. According to the UN, the day serves as a platform to celebrate water and raise awareness about the 2.2 billion people living without safe water, while also driving action to tackle the global water crisis.
Speaking at the event, BAC Chairman Yankuba Darboe underscored the significance of clean water, emphasizing that its value should be recognized and celebrated every day.
He noted that BAC is committed to establishing a dedicated water management team to oversee the increasing number of boreholes provided by the council.
“As we continue providing boreholes, the numbers are increasing and it is important to have proper data on them, if maintenance is left to the community they might forget or, it might be a burden for them to be taking good care of it,” he said.
He stated that by taking the initiative to manage and maintain these boreholes, including ensuring proper chlorination, they can keep the water safe for public consumption.
Chairman Darboe emphasized that their goal is not simply to provide water, but to ensure that the water supplied to the community is both clean and safe for consumption.
Hon. Aboubacarr Kanteh, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council Development Subcommittee, stressed that water is not just a resource, but an essential necessity for life. He highlighted that, despite their ongoing efforts, some communities in the region still face challenges in accessing clean and safe water.
He added that, in light of these challenges, it is crucial to reaffirm their shared responsibility in ensuring clean water is accessible to everyone.
“The Brikama area council has long recognized the importance of water provision marking it a cornerstone of our development agenda. Over the past years the Brikama area council with its partners has drilled 85 boreholes across the west coast region, strategically placing them in public places, in schools, health centers, football fields, and in community gardens,” he said.
He added that these boreholes serve as more than just water access points—they symbolize hope and opportunity, providing essential resources for drinking, sanitation, education, and agriculture.
The United Nations has emphasized that a core objective of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Almameh Sanneh, a representative from the Department of Water Resources, stressed the importance of maintaining clean water sources to guarantee safe and sustainable access for communities.
“Every six months it is important to visit Abuko, whether for your personal borehole or a community borehole to collect chlorine and treat the water. Having access to clean water does not just mean digging a borehole and leaving it unattended so to maintain the borehole water is very necessary to ensure it remains safe for consumption,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Foundation 221, a non-governmental organization (NGO) collaborating with the Brikama Area Council (BAC), Operations Manager Buba Sanyang highlighted the foundation’s efforts in supporting the council’s mission to ensure community members have access to clean water.
“In 2024, we launched a major project in collaboration with our partners to nearly 27 boreholes and this 27 borehole was officially inaugurated at the Brikama area council,” he said.
He stated that during the launch, they emphasized the importance of councilors taking the lead in their respective communities by identifying the areas most in need of boreholes.
He further noted that a key guiding principle of the foundation is ensuring that boreholes reach the people who need them the most, emphasizing that this remains their mission and core commitment.
“We have seen the councilors of BAC from Kalagi to the last and here they really supported us, because they took these boreholes to communities within their wards that really need it,” he said.
A short video showcasing the council’s water projects across various communities in the West Coast Region was presented to the audience.
Additionally, a beneficiary of the water projects was given the opportunity to speak on behalf of their community, expressing gratitude to the council for its support. They also highlighted the crucial role their councilor played in ensuring the project’s success.
According to the United Nations, the international theme for World Water Day 2025 is “Glacier Preservation.” This theme underscores the critical role glaciers play in preserving the world’s freshwater supplies and emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts in response to climate change.