GMA as the coordinating body for the development of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan sought technical assistance from the International Maritime Organization and the Global Initiative for West, Central and Southern Africa (GI-WACAF) towards the programme.
The objective was to enhance the capacity of states to prepare for and respond to oil spills, so that they could better protect their marine and coastal environment.
Nicky Cariglia, project consultant expressed delight after the validation of the national oil spill contingency plan, stating that they had achieved a lot during the course of the workshop.
She stated that the aim of the project was for The Gambia to have a functional and fit-for-purpose national contingency plan to be prepared for and respond to marine pollution events.
She added that having a contingency plan in place, was just one of many steps required for a country to have a comprehensive system for responding to unintended pollution events.
Rim Al Amar, project coordinator for GI-WACAF, said the level of engagement of stakeholders had allowed them to not only capture the future need and objectives that would underpin and guide GMA’s preparedness activities beyond but also the adoption of the Gambia’s first national oil spill contingency plan.
She reminded the partners that the final document needs their attention, noting that it needs to live and be regularly updated and tested.
She emphasised that the national oil spill contingency plan is a fundamental pillar of preparedness and response, adding that efficient preparedness and effective response requires regular training, constant cooperation and operational awareness, translated into implementation of national policies, acquisition of equipment and locally available resources.
“GI-WACAF was proud to have supported the journey of the NOSCP validation,” Rim Al Amar said. She added that the validation represented a successful collaboration leading to the core aim of the project, enhancing preparedness and response to oil spills in western, central and southern African coastal states.
Njagga Touray, deputy executive director for the National Environment Agency, said the validation of the document came at a time when the globe is faced with triple crises such as climate change, nature and biodiversity as well as polluting the water or oceans which destroys the habitats of sensitive marine ecosystems in the marine resources.
He stated that validating a national document on the oil spill contingency plan was a drive towards fighting the triple crises in the globe.
“NEA is mindful of the importance of precautionary measures to preventing and avoiding oil pollution in the marine....,” Touray said, noting that in the event of an oil spill or pollution in the coastal areas, the effective and urgent actions that are essential for their minimisation is crucial as part of the NEA’s mandate.
“NEA is committed to ensuring that appropriate measures are taken in accordance with relevant national law and international regulations,” NEA deputy executive director said.
Karamo Bakary Janneh, director general for the Gambia Maritime Administration extended appreciation to the project team and stakeholders for putting much time in developing the national document.
He emphasised the need for all stakeholders to collaborate and effectively utilise the document.
