GAWFA Finance Company shares up for sale

Lamin Jahateh, Banjul GAWFA Finance Company, the latest financial institution to be launched in The Gambia, has 6,100,000 ordinary shares for sale, at ten dalasis (D10) per share, Oley Njie Mbye, Chief Executive Officer of the company, has revealed. Mrs Mbye called on the general public to review the company’s prospectus, complete an application, make a sound decision and invest in GAWFA’s shares. The CEO called on the general public to join GAWFA in its cause of building safety net for the poor and promoting the economic empowerment of Gambian women by buying its shares to provide an opportunity to change a woman’s life. “I urge you to please reach out and get GAWFA shares today and not tomorrow. Please help build safety nets for the poor and promote the economic empowerment of women,” she added. Established in 1987 as a not-for-profit NGO, GAWFA - the Gambia Women’s Finance Association - recently launched its own financial institution called GAWFA Finance Company, to provide trade finance for Gambian women who would like to expand their businesses or establish new ventures. She said: “With GAWFA shares you are providing an opportunity to change a woman’s life one day at a time, providing safety nets for the poor, empowering women at the socio-economic level and creating the opportunity to make positive changes to a new generation. “In addition you are contributing to make GAWFA sustainable both financially and institutionally to reach the mission and vision of the organization.” Hannah Davis, chairperson of GAWFA board, said by purchasing the shares of GAWFA Finance Company one is providing an opportunity to contribute to the economic empowerment of Gambian women.   “I urge you to buy GAWFA Finance Company limited shares,” Mrs Davis says. Beatrice Allen, a board member of GAWFA, added:  “The shares of the company are up for sale to the general public but specifically for women, because really we want to be able to do for women what nobody else has done for them so we want to encourage the women first to buy.  Nonetheless, we have got some allocations for other members of the public, both companies and individuals, who want to buy shares.” “We encourage strategic investors both national and international level to invest and buy GAWFA’s shares,” a statement from the company says, adding: “GAWFA is the first and the largest microfinance institution in The Gambia established since 1987 and an affiliate of Women’s World Banking network headquartered in New York. GAWFA’s activities are intended to promote social and economic changes in The Gambia.” Brief background about GAWFA GAWFA’s vision is to build a sustainable financial institution that meets the aspirations of women in the vanguard of an evolving financial system, and to regain market leadership by 2020 with a share of at least 50% of the market represented by low Gambia women. The association has it mission to offer an innovative financial solution that contributes to lasting economic and social benefits for low income Gambian women and their families; and create value for our shareholders and stakeholders. GAWFA was incorporated in September 1987 with the main objective of catering for the financial needs of the poor and low-income women of The Gambia. The association was the first micro-finance institution to be licensed by the Central Bank of The Gambia. Over the years, the association has grown from under 100 members to over 48,948 clients, over 90% of whom live in the rural areas. GAWFA provides financial service to low-income women engaged in income generating activities, such as farmers, traders, and handicraft. It continues to provide services that are innovative, flexible and meet the needs of each category of its clients as they grow in a profitable and sustainable manner. Between 1994 and 2007, GAWFA disbursed over D127 million as loans. The association was also able to build a culture of savings among women with more than 48,000 clients accumulating a net savings of D12 million. GAWFA offers three loan products - individual loans, solidarity group loans, and large group loans. Group loans represent 65% of GAWFA portfolio and are concentrated outside Banjul. Individual loans represent 35% of GAWFA disbursement in 2006, and Greater Banjul accounts for 83% of the individual loans disbursed in 2006. GAWFA achieved a high growth in both credit and savings operations over the past five years, but the credit operations have increased more rapidly than the savings.

SSHFC IN GOOD STEAD

MD urges managers to keep up the momentum By Lamin Jahateh, Banjul The Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation is in good stead in terms of performance, in terms of how government thinks about the institution and in terms of corporate governance, Mr Tumbul Danso, Managing Director of the institution, reveals. “In terms of performance, you will recall that during the 2010 budget speech the performance of the Corporation has been one of the best among the parastatals.  Two years ago, we made a surplus of over D97 million at the end of the year,” the managing director told the media practitioners on Thursday during a day-long sensitization organized by his institution for journalists from both the print and electronic media and held at their head office in Banjul. Pic: Managing Director of SSHFC Mr Tumbul Danso He said the ‘wonderful performance’ of the Corporation has been recognized by the government in the sense that about two years ago “we were paid a national bonus payment of three months because we have this bonus agreement that we have entered into with the government”.  At the end of every year the Corporation is assessed and bonus is paid base on performance, which is a demonstration of the wonderful performance of the institution. The 2010 budget statement has indicated that the consolidated gross income of the Corporation increased from D268.7 million in 2007 to D502.05million in 2008 while recurrent expenditure increased from D98.7 million to D255.33 million. Thus, the corporation recorded a consolidated Net Surplus of D97.1 million. Total Net Assets grew from D3.09 billion in 2007 to D3.5 billion in 2008. MD Danso explained that a couple of years back the Corporation was also promoted by the government from being category three institution to category one institution. He said in terms of corporate governance, they continue to manage the affairs of the Corporation to the best of their abilities. “All these has gone to demonstrate that the Corporation is in good stead in terms of performance, in terms of how government things about us,” the Managing director noted. “So I will definitely urge the managers of different section of the Corporation to ensure that they keep up the strength to make the Corporation reaches higher heights.” He said: “We want to make sure that we keep ourselves involved in all the best practices just like it is done in other advance countries.  I believe if other countries can do it, we in Africa can also improve on our system. The Corporation is considered as one of the best in Africa and this had been demonstrated in terms of how many sister institutions has sent staffs on attachment to our institution, to come and study our system so that they can also replicate that in their institution.” MD Danso told the media practitioners that Corporation has two main components that is the housing component and also social security component.  The corporation is mandated by the government through an Act of parliament to provide social security services to the general public through membership it is also mandated to implement housing projects on behalf of the government.   “Since 1982 we have been doing exactly that,” he said. He explained that each of these two components has sub-components.   Under the social security component there is the national provident fund, federated pension scheme, and the industrial injuries compensation fund.  The housing finance fund under the housing component is to implement housing projects on behalf of the government. He described the relation between the Corporation and the press as “mutual”.  “It’s one of a symbiotic relationship for the mutual benefit of both parties.  The corporation needs the press to help in its education campaign because we are involves in a whole lot of educational campaign and we need the press in that regard.  The press also needs us to give them information to enable them to disseminate that information to the general public.” He told the journalists:  “We welcome any journalists anytime you want to visit us, our doors are open to you anytime you need our services. We are available at any point you needs us to give information on any aspect of our activities.” The training was meant to create awareness, enhances compliance, and informs the media practitioners on the regulations that govern various schemes of the Corporation.

Ministry of Economic Planning changes as government reshuffled the cabinet

Lamin Jahateh, Banjul Ministry of Economic Planning and Industrial Development, which was created last year, is being reconstituted and brought under the Ministry of Finance as departments while the Ministry of Finance is re-named Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the government announced. This development comes as the President of the country; Yahya AJJ Jammeh reshuffled the cabinet.  A news released from the office of the President stated that “His Excellency The President of the Republic of The Gambia Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J Jammeh, acting under the provision of section 71 (1) and 71 (3) respectively, of the Constitution of The Republic of The Gambia has effected a Cabinet Re-shuffle.” Minister of Economic Planning and Industrial Development, Hon. Mambury Njie, has been re-assigned to the Ministry of Finance as Minister, while Minister of Finance, Hon. Abdou Kolley, re-assigned to the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment as Minister. In the same vein Hon. Yusupha Kah, Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment has been re-assigned to the Ministry of Works, Construction and Infrastructure, which was under the president’s office, as Minister. The release urges all Ministers are urged to live up to expectations of their portfolio so “as to ensure maximum delivery of the national development programs set in Government’s Vision 2020 Blueprint, as time is ticking fast.” “Therefore, all are reminded that there will be no room for complacency.  Ministers are however assured of the executive’s maximum support to ensure that we collectively achieve our development aspirations,” the release stated.

Takaful to improve its model, hit the market with ground-breaking initiatives

By Lamin Jahateh, The Gambian Banker, Banjul Takaful Gambia Limited is poised to further improve on its operations and introduce innovative and ground-breaking initiatives after a-two member delegation of the company returned from Sudan, the father of Islamic insurance in the world, where they were exposed to improved ways of Islamic insurance. Pic: (Left to Right) Takaful MD Mr Joof, and Head of Operations Mr Marong in Shiekan Insurance Life section The Managing Director and Head of Operations of Takaful, Mr. Momodou Joof, and Mr. Adama Marong respectively recently returned to Banjul after a two week working visit to Shiekan Insurance and Reinsurance Company Limited in Sudan.  The aim of the visit, among other things, was to familiarize themselves with the operations of the company and to learn best practices from them so as to replicate it in The Gambia in order to take Takaful’s operations a notch-higher. “We had learnt a great deal of weight to improve on our model and we promised our participants and the whole country at large that we are coming to apply a little bit of changes into our model to make it more transparent, more viable and more profitable,” the Managing Director said.  “I cannot reveal everything to you at this point but I can tell you we are looking at a possibility where even the board of the company will include representative of the clients, the participants who gave us their money, so that they know how much we are making, what we are doing, and also to know our mission and vision.” He continued:  “Again as part of the changes to the model, we are saying not only those who do not suffer accident in the year will benefit from the profit of the company.  As Islamic insurance belongs to the policyholders, those who insured with us, when that is the case if there is any profit generated it must reach everybody whether you suffered an accident or not in the year, because it was not self designed for you to get involved in an accident.  Thus, profit generated by the company in 2011 will be distributed to all our policyholders even those who suffered losses during the period will still be invited to participate to the profit that we generated.” Mr Joof said his three-year old company is coming up in a greater grand style to prove to “this nation that Islam has it all” and that the beauty can only be found best in it. Products to roll out The two-week visit to Sudan, which was fully funded by Shiekan Insurance and Reinsurance Company Limited - there host in Sudan, serves as a morale booster for Takaful as the management has revealed plans to inject new policies in addition to the existing ones “in order to make sure that we cover more people”. Takaful MD said:  “Among the things that we had learnt from that ‘mature market’ is that if we limited our self to providing the usual classes of insurance like motor insurance, general accident, fire insurance etc, we are only addressing the wealthy members of the society, those that are rich enough to think of insurance.  So we have to think of ways to actually consider how to operate in such a way that we accommodate SMEs, those poor members of the society who are doing business but at a very low scale, how to reduce our premium and give them cover that will benefit them. Now we are coming with policies that will make it possible for us to cover every cadre of the society including the poor members.  So now we are not only leaving it to that traditional system where only the rich can afford insurance, we want to bring it as low as covering the poor members of the society.” He disclosed that they are also looking at the possibility of coming up with an agricultural insurance policy.  Agriculture has been a key issue of attention to the government, but unfortunately there is no insurance policy to back it up, now Takaful Gambia is looking into the possibility of coming with a policy on agricultural insurance in order to make farming a more sustainable and lucrative venture. Mr. Joof, who recently served as a facilitator to the ‘regional course on rudiments of Islamic banking’ organized by West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management and held Lagos, Nigeria, said: “We will not also relent in our endeavor to make sure that we are not limited to Gambia, this is the first Islamic insurance company to register in West Africa and we must make sure that we give the market all that they need.  We are even looking at the establishment of a live section, where we will cover live insurance.  We are also looking into the possibility of expanding out of our national territory; these are all part of our plans.” More profit to distribute Takaful is the first insurance company in The Gambia to pioneer the process of profit sharing at the end of the term.  At the end of 2008 there was no profit for the company to distribute, as promised, to its clients, due to obvious reason that they started operations in that year and had many establishment expenses.  In 2009 the company distributed over D2 million to its policyholders.  “So we are very happy to say that we had delivered in 2009.  Since inception, we promised the people, we promised the market that this concept of Islamic insurance is a very fair concept whereby returns or profits generated by the company belongs to those who provided the capital, the insures,” said Mr. Joof, adding that apart from the D2 million distributed to the policyholders, the company also distributed ‘Zakat’, alms, between 8 high schools as part of its corporate social responsibility.  He said: “Though we are yet to distribute the profit for 2010, I can certainly tell you that it will be higher than the D2 million and we are working hard to pay it earlier this year.” Commenting on their trip, Adama Marong, Head of Operations, said Sudan is where Islamic insurance started in the whole world, “so we feel it necessary that if you want to do what is correct you have to go to the root that is why we visited Sudan”.  “Upon our arrival there we found out that Islamic insurance is doing well there in fact the whole system there is Islamic financing.  We visited many places there including their refinery, and the national insurance company that is owned by the government,” he said. He said the visit to Sudan has further enhanced and deepen their knowledge of Islamic insurance.  “We had copied best practices from them, in terms of their operations, policies and the like, that we are going to replicate in the Gambia.  You know the practice of insurance is such that it’s not static, it should be flexible.  We have come with policies from Sudan that we will modify to suit the need of the society in The Gambia and this is what we will embark on in not distant future,” Mr. Marong explained. He added:  “We are going to roll out many innovative products that will really suit our customers and there are many things in the offing all for the benefit of the customers so all that want to say is that let people come to Takaful and they will really enjoy the value for money.”

New finance company launched with ‘celebration of joy, pride, and victory’ PDF Print E-mail User Rating: / 0 PoorBest Written by Yankuba Thursday, 20 January 2011 15:01 By Lamin Jahateh, Banjul Gambia Women’s Finance Association has launched its owned finance institution – GAWFA Finance Company - with a celebration of joy and pride, a victory in taking ownership to become better citizens and contribute to women economic empowerment. Pic: CEO of GAWFA, Mrs. Oley Njie Mbye Launching of GAWFA Finance Company is a clear testimony that GAWFA is on the verge of achieving it vision to build a sustainable financial institution that meets the aspiration of women in the vanguard of an evolving financial system, and regain market leadership by 2020 with a share of at least 50% of the market represented by low Gambia women. “This is a timely and a very important move by GAWFA towards the economic and social empowerment of women and the development of the country at large,” said Mrs Aja Ida Faye Hydara, Executive Director of Women’s Bureau while launching the GAWFA Finance Company on behalf of the Vice President and Minister of Women’s Affairs on Wednesday at the GAWFA head quarters in Kanifing. She continued: “Launching GAWFA Finance Company today is a welcome move as the company is here to contribute to the empowerment of Gambian women.” She however noted that though GAWFA has contributed and continues to contribute to the development of a lot of women in this country and women themselves are very hard working, “there is still a long way to go”. The Chief Executive Officer of GAWFA, Mrs. Oley Njie Mbye said: “At GAWFA we promote self sufficiency, empowerment and capacity building which are integral not only for economic empowerment but also to human services and development in general. Having the resources for strategies alone is not enough but effective outcomes and sustainability are also fundamental for the advancement of women.” The launching of GAWFA Finance Company is seen by many as a step in the right direction as it will provide banking services to that segment of the society who are hitherto left out by the commercial banks thus unable to access loan. Majority of these unbanked population are women many of whom are poor. Gambian women are faced with the challenge of what is consider as the “poverty trap”; the poor women are willing to escape poverty but are limited to do so by using the meager resources own. The challenges of obtaining loans from financial institutions can be attributed to many factors of the “poverty trap”as it can cause a vicious cycle of poverty, the poor women continues to get weaker and confined into extreme poverty if not economically empowered. “It is therefore a moral obligation as global citizens not to lean back and ask what our governments are doing or can do; we need to get up and stand firm on our feet, roll our sleeves up and do our own part. We have our own part to play and ask ourselves what we can do for our country and the world in general to contribute directly or indirectly in many ways to socio economic development,” the GAWFA CEO, who has been a bank executive with over 16 years of diverse leadership experience, said. She continued: “Women are the most impoverished and underprivileged in the world. But we save bigger long term goals and are more committed to make positive changes in our lives progressively; we have effective leadership skills in managing scarce resources and can start something small and grow it big for better economic conditions. Lack of economic empowerment causes low level of capabilities which is depicted as the basic failure of basic capabilities to reach basic necessities of life hence a form of social exclusion.” CEO Njie-Mbye noted that women are generally expected to take secondary, passive role in obtaining credit, but major role in the household. “We are usually considered less suitable than men for higher responsibility on loan acquisition. It is paramount we solidify our own institution through microfinance, and have the ability to influence, or make decisions that affect our lives and be independent.” The launching of GAWFA also witnessed the presentation of an award by the staffs of GAWFA to their CEO, Mrs Njie Mbye, for being a wonderful and a competent leader who always lead by example. According to Hannah Davies, the chairperson of the GAWFA board, GAWFA is the laeding and the first microfinance institution established since 1987 in the Gambia with over 48,948 members and over 13,682 active borrowers and still growing. “We also have several branch offices spread in the rural areas in The Gambia.” Mrs Aja Adulette Sey, one of the members of GAWF explained that GAWFA is here to uplift the status of women in order to eradicate poverty, as women are at the bottom of the poverty pyramid. GAWFA delivers a breadth of financial services to its clients including capacity building through its partners and interrelated organizations.

By Lamin Jahateh, Banjul Gambia Women’s Finance Association has launched its owned finance institution – GAWFA Finance Company - with a celebration of joy and pride, a victory in taking ownership to become better citizens and contribute to women economic empowerment.  Pic: CEO of GAWFA, Mrs. Oley Njie Mbye Launching of GAWFA Finance Company is a clear testimony that GAWFA is on the verge of achieving it vision to build a sustainable financial institution that meets the aspiration of women in the vanguard of an evolving financial system, and regain market leadership by 2020 with a share of at least 50% of the market represented by low Gambia women. “This is a timely and a very important move by GAWFA towards the economic and social empowerment of women and the development of the country at large,” said Mrs Aja Ida Faye Hydara, Executive Director of Women’s Bureau while launching the GAWFA Finance Company on behalf of the Vice President and Minister of Women’s Affairs on Wednesday at the GAWFA head quarters in Kanifing. She continued: “Launching GAWFA Finance Company today is a welcome move as the company is here to contribute to the empowerment of Gambian women.”  She however noted that though GAWFA has contributed and continues to contribute to the development of a lot of women in this country and women themselves are very hard working, “there is still a long way to go”. The Chief Executive Officer of GAWFA, Mrs. Oley Njie Mbye said: “At GAWFA we promote self sufficiency, empowerment and capacity building which are integral not only for economic empowerment but also to human services and development in general. Having the resources for strategies alone is not enough but effective outcomes and sustainability are also fundamental for the advancement of women.” The launching of GAWFA Finance Company is seen by many as a step in the right direction as it will provide banking services to that segment of the society who are hitherto left out by the commercial banks thus unable to access loan.  Majority of these unbanked population are women many of whom are poor. Gambian women are faced with the challenge of what is consider as the “poverty trap”; the poor women are willing to escape poverty but are limited to do so by using the meager resources own. The challenges of obtaining loans from financial institutions can be attributed to many factors of the “poverty trap”as it can cause a vicious cycle of poverty, the poor women continues to get weaker and confined into extreme poverty if not economically empowered. “It is therefore a moral obligation as global citizens not to lean back and ask what our governments are doing or can do; we need to get up and stand firm on our feet, roll our sleeves up and do our own part. We have our own part to play and ask ourselves what we can do for our country and the world in general to contribute directly or indirectly in many ways to socio economic development,” the GAWFA CEO, who has been a bank executive with over 16 years of diverse leadership experience, said. She continued:  “Women are the most impoverished and underprivileged in the world. But we save bigger long term goals and are more committed to make positive changes in our lives progressively; we have effective leadership skills in managing scarce resources and can start something small and grow it big for better economic conditions. Lack of economic empowerment causes low level of capabilities which is depicted as the basic failure of basic capabilities to reach basic necessities of life hence a form of social exclusion.” CEO Njie-Mbye noted that women are generally expected to take secondary, passive role in obtaining credit, but major role in the household. “We are usually considered less suitable than men for higher responsibility on loan acquisition. It is paramount we solidify our own institution through microfinance, and have the ability to influence, or make decisions that affect our lives and be independent.” The launching of GAWFA also witnessed the presentation of an award by the staffs of GAWFA to their CEO, Mrs Njie Mbye, for being a wonderful and a competent leader who always lead by example. According to Hannah Davies, the chairperson of the GAWFA board, GAWFA is the laeding and the first microfinance institution established since 1987 in the Gambia with over 48,948 members and over 13,682 active borrowers and still growing.  “We also have several branch offices spread in the rural areas in The Gambia.” Mrs Aja Adulette Sey, one of the members of GAWF explained that GAWFA is here to uplift the status of women in order to eradicate poverty, as women are at the bottom of the poverty pyramid. GAWFA delivers a breadth of financial services to its clients including capacity building through its partners and interrelated organizations.

Five more customers of SCB beam with delight

By Lamin Jahateh, Banjul Customers who emerged winners of Standard Chartered Bank ‘Together To Win’ 4th monthly raffle draw, held in December, had recently beam with delight after receiving their various prizes. Buba Barrow, Sulayman Touray, Mrs. Sainabou Jammeh, Bakalilou Kebbeh and Harriet Sonko received Qcell dual SIM phone, Qcell Muslim phone, Qcell USB data card, Qcell dell laptop with USB data card, and Qcell 32” plasma TV with a home surround system respectively.  These proud winners received their prizes during the fifth monthly draw, where the bank selects another set of five lucky winners, held on 12th January 2011 at the SCB Serekunda branch in Westfield. The winners of the fifth monthly draw will received their prizes during the sixth and the mega draw, to be held in April. The SCB ‘Together to Win’ promotion underpins the bank’s philosophy of rendering essential and efficient services to its customers, who continues to win various prizes of substance on a monthly basis from the campaign, which started in July 2010. “In Standard Charterer’s quest to becoming the world’s best international bank, its innovative marketing team conceptualized this campaign to recognize and reward customers for their loyalty with the bank,” a statement from the bank indicates. “Customers got coupons for every D10, 000 they deposited into their accounts and maintaining the funds on their accounts for at least a month makes one eligible for that month’s draw. This is for both new and existing funds.” Richard Mendy, the Excel Relationship Manager, in his welcoming remarks, reaffirmed the bank’s ‘here for good’ brand promise, which he said “reflects on Standard Charterer’s belief in developing long-term and deep relationships with our customers and clients”.  He further encouraged the customers to continue to leave their funds on account to be eligible for the mega draw in April. The lucky winners for the 5th monthly draw are Ebriam Jaiteh who won a Qcell Muslim phone, Daniel Able Thomas, a Qcell dual SIM phone, Omaru M.Z. Lamin, a Qcell USB data card, Bintou C. Keita won a Qcell laptop with a USB data card, and Pa Modou Njie won a Qcell 32” plasma TV with a home surround system. At the end of the ‘Together to Win’ campaign, SCB will hold a mega draw with a grand prize of a D1 million investment account. To qualify for the mega draw, customers need to deposit or maintain a balance of D200, 000 or more in their account for at least three months. Customers are also encouraged to introduce their friends and family and become eligible to be part of the monthly draws.

National transport network opens for business

Lamin Jahateh, Banjul A new initiative to establish a national public transport services to facilitate the provision of standard transport system, is now operational at the Gambia Transport, Agricultural, Food, and Industrial Workers Union (GTAFIWU) at the Gambia Red Cross Building in West Field, Kanifing Municipality. “Fangsoto” (meaning ‘self-reliant in Mandinka) transport services is set up by young Gambians with a view to further improving the public transport system, ensure proper management of transportation services in the country, and limit conflicts between vehicle owners and drivers, among others. “Once you have signed an agreement with us, we take proper care of your vehicle, appoint a driver and we will be responsible for maintenance services, and as the owner, you can collect your money on weekly, monthly or any form of agreement you may agree with our determined and committed administration,” said Ms Fatou Sidibeh, administrative secretary of the Gambian owned establishment. An initiative by Gambians, Fangsoto is out to improve transport services through networking, and to increase means of employment, and the socio-economic growth and development of the country. “The public transport service sector is meant to encourage vehicle owners involved in the transportation of people and goods,” she said, adding: "Most vehicle owners have lost trust and confidence in those drivers. Most vehicles on the road do not have the needed repairs and maintenance, to which effect drivers and vehicle owners push blame on each other, and consequently mark the end of the vehicle.” She continued: “Drivers do not have the trust and confidence in vehicle owners, which has resulted in carefree and careless driving. For that and many more reasons experienced by both vehicle owners and drivers, the Fansoto Transport Services is open to encourage a public transport service sector, to serve as a mediator between vehicle owners and drivers, within its jurisdiction and the nation at large.” Commenting on the aims of Fangsoto, Ms Sidibeh said the self-independence driven transportation services creates a better working condition for its drivers by taking the burden of breach between drivers, vehicle owners and the public at large. She said the initiative also introduces private and commercial transportation system with a base and the the use of CABIN system which will involve car radios communication system, where customers would only need to dial the office, and a transport would be made available wherever they are. Sidibeh said the new company will also establish a driving training school branch for drivers to ensure professionalism in their service delivery. “The driving school will be explicit in its theory and practical and will produce competent drivers at the end of their trainings. Drivers will go through a recruitment training prior to employment. Their conditions of service are our pride. Attractive salaries will be paid and maximum security in the field of work ensured. Professional drivers guided by knowledge and skills on traffic code of conduct thoughts will be ensured.” Fangsoto can be reached through the following contact numbers: 00220 9837903/ 6900897/ 6837903/ 7785128