NEA convenes forum for local environment committees

It was against this backdrop that the National Environment Agency recently convened a national consultative forum for local environment committees at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) conference hall.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sainey Touray, chairman of the National Assembly Select Committee on Environment expressed their resolve to work with NEA on issues concerning sound environmental management.

This, he said, will involve advising Gambians to embrace sound environmental management and do away with vices that will negatively impact the environment.

The Jarra East lawmaker emphasised that a healthy environment is a healthy life.

Dodou Tarawally, executive director at NEA explained that the forum is designed to setup local environment committees at the district level, reminding that the National Environment Management Act is the umbrella act for any environmental management in the country.

“The Act provides basics for the implementation of environmental policies in the country as well as environmental plans. What we intend to do is how best we bring these policies and action plans at local level and now we want to try with the district authorities and implement within the local level. For example, instead NEA or Forestry Department leading, we want them to take the lead and get the background support from the established national institution.” he said.