PoWPA Steering Committee Holds Consultative Meeting

The Gambia Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) steering committee on Tuesday 2 June 2009, held its committee meeting at their Abuko office. The meeting, among others, was aimed at discussing and recommending key issues.

The project, which is under the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management and coordinated by the UNDP, has identified Dr. Trinto Mugangu, a Congolese national as the international consultant of the project.

Mr Kawsu Jammeh, PoWPA's Project Coordinator said Dr Mungangu is contracted for 50 days, noting that during this period, the consultant will work closely with the local consultant. Mr Jammeh added that the consultant is also expected to present and review best international experiences for protected area organisation in countries with similar context and will also produce a report on recommendations for the Gambia protected areas system regarding best forms of biodiversity conservation and protected area governance.

According to Mr Jammeh, the consultant is also expected to develop a draft proposal on National Implementation Support Partnership (NISP) agreement and a three-year business plan to be adopted by the Gambian authorities.

"The consultant will also help national experts to compile management effectiveness tracking tools for specific protected areas where he would propose an electronic system or data base for maintaining tracking tool data and provide guidance to local users on the system", Mr Jammeh said.

He revealed that by the end of the project in 2010, the Gambia would complete a national level review of protected areas. The steering committee comprises members from the NEA, Ministry of Fisheries, media, Local Government Authorities, among others.