NEA moves to update outdated EIA

The Gambia's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is guided by the National Environment Management Act of 1994 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2014.

The NEA developed specific EIA regulations and procedures, ensuring they align with the broader environmental policy framework. The process includes screening, scoping, environmental impact studies, reviews, decision-making, and monitoring, all aimed at assessing a project's potential environmental impacts.

The recent consultancy was to review and update the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2014 so as to address the current needs of the country. It is also meant to have in place a responsive legal framework to tackle challenging environmental needs and to save the future generation from being victims of current anthropogenic activities.

The National Environment Management Act (NEMA) of 1994 provides the overarching legal framework for EIA, with the NEA responsible for implementing and refining specific regulations, however, this was updated in 2014 but still fall short to address current environmental challenges such as climate change and other pressing environmental issues.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Barrister Abdoulie Sanyang, deputizing the executive director of NEA, told participants that the NEA had done its part in coming up with the document, adding it’s participants’ turn to critically scrutinize the document for better national use.

He applauded WACA for their support and partnership, pointing out that WACA has been working hand-in-glove with NEA throughout the process.

Lamin Jammeh, director, Climate Change Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, said there should be a well placed framework to “guide our sectoral developments.” He told participants: “We are here taking the lead but only for you to tell us what to do. “It’s your duty to make sure that this review is very comprehensive.”