Gambia ends importation of books, inaugurates printer for mass production

The Gambian President, Adama Barrow, has inaugurated the Gambia Printing and Publishing Cooperation’s Exercise Book Printing Machine.

Disclosing this on Wednesday March 3, 2021, the president stated that the printer would “put an end to the days of importing exercise books”.

The Fifty Million Dalasis machine seeks to produce quality and affordable exercise books in the country without having to rely on imported ones.

President Barrow described the machine’s commissioning as a huge achievement for GPPC.

He noted that it comes at a good time, given the effect of Covid-19 on the procurement of goods and services from abroad, and that having such a facility in the country would ensure the reliable provision of exercise books to our schools.

“As you are all aware and as spelt out in the NDP, access to affordable quality education for every Gambian is a key priority for my government.

“In this light, the procurement of the giant printing machine to meet the country’s demands for exercise books clearly demonstrates my government’s unwavering commitment to affordable and quality education for all,” the President said.

The Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, noted that the GPPC was on the verge of collapse when the President took office.

He added, “The magnificent machine was procured because of the high priority given to the institution.”

Minister Sillah revealed that the government spends D4 million annually on exercise books, which will soon be a thing of the past as GPPC prepares to become one of the country’s major revenue generators.

According to GPPC Director Momodou Ceesay, the machine’s ability will meet the needs of the entire country and region, and the country is shifting from buying to selling and exporting.

He applauded the Cabinet for giving GPPC exclusive printing rights to all government revenue materials.