In their bid to help tackle socio economic problems as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, the Lord Mayor of KMC Talib Ahmad Bensouda, in partnership with The EU-funded youth empowerment project (YEP) and The Gambia chamber of commerce and industry (GCCI) initiated a one million dalasi funding challenge to young entrepreneurs to generate befitting and innovative business ideas in providing solutions to battle economically against the deadly virus. Muhammed jawo of le jumbo, Kara jagne of gisqu and baboucarr Njie of outboodt media and analytic were announced the winners of the challenge competition at the Kanifing municipality council on Tuesday.

The coronavirus since it’s emergence has crippled down and caused havoc in different sectors of life and livelihood of people, but in the long run, it has delivered innovative solutions to help tackle some socio-economic problems.

The KMC Tekki fi competition was centered on entrepreneurs coming up with transformative and innovative businesses on the education sector, transportation and technology Which are some hurdles the coronavirus has hit The Gambia with.

Attila lajos, the EU delegation ambassador to The Gambia, encouraged entrepreneurs to brush up and redefine their businesses due to the challenges triggered by the covid-19 pandemic.

“In many areas, we cannot and should not go back to business as usual, but we have to find smart ways of living with it for a while. The world has already started taking about the ‘new normal’ .While the crisis causes a lot of pain it also offers an opportunity to re-define the way we do business,” he said.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Kanifing municipal council in collaboration with the ministry of health, national disaster management agency and other stakeholders embarked on public sensitization, distribution of food reliefs to 10000 vulnerable households and the 50,000 face marks distribution in kMC’s 18 markets.

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the Lord Mayor of Kanifing municipality, said the launching of the 1 million Dalasis fund for young entrepreneurs tackling issues related to covid-19 is a landmark occasion, and that it compliments their earlier efforts in curbing the coronavirus.

By: Sohna Tunkara

For Kairaba News Network