The
National Environment Agency (NEA) in collaboration with UNDP/GEF project and
NSSCE Construction Company based in Dakar, Senegal, Monday signed US$3.2
million construction works for Senegambia and Tanji beaches.
The
signing ceremony held at the NEA head office, was attended by senior officials
of the Ministry of Environment and the Minister himself.
The
project is designed to reduce Gambia’s vulnerability to sea level rise
associated impacts of climate change by improving coastal defences and
enhancing adaptive capacities of coastal communities.
The
Hon Minister of Environment, Pa Ousman Jarjue, while speaking at the signing
ceremony, said the construction of Senegambia and Tanji beaches is the first
phase that would be followed by the construction of break waters which
“hopefully will protect our vital coastal infrastructure and make resilient to
the negative impacts of climate.
The
Minister mentioned the project enhancing resilience of vulnerable coastal areas
and communities to the impact of climate change in The Gambia.
In
2005, the project completed construction of chain link fences for five
vegetable gardens in five communities of Bandali Tenda, Bintang, Miserable and
Toubakolong equipped with boreholes, water troughs and overhead water tanks to
ensure constant supply of water.
He
added that motorized boats were provided to Tendaba and Misera to facilitate
fisheries activities and transportation of garden produce to facilitate
marketing.
Over
300 beehives were also delivered to beneficiary communities to promote
beekeeping as an income-generating activity and about 1.4 million dollars was
delivered in 2015.
The
NEA Executive Director, Madam Ndey Sireng Bakurin, speaking at the occasion
added that global climate change is one of the most important challenges to
sustainable development that “we face as a region”.
The
increasing emphasis placed by NEA and other partners on protecting natural
eco-systems, particularly the coastal zone areas as key frontline response to
the effects of a changing climate change, is “very positive” and it must
continue.
Better
linkage between climate change and coastal zone management is a vital step
towards a more climate resilient Gambia.
The
Head of the construction company, NSSCE Construct Ltd, giving his statement,
said he is very proud to head the construction project and he “will deliver to
expectations”.