UNDP launches ambitious project to tackle hazardous chemicals

The project dubbed- ‘Strengthening National and Municipal Capacities for the Sound Management of PCBs and uPOPs in The Gambia project’, is being funded by the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM).

The project will be jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the National Environmental Agency (NEA), the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), and other stakeholders.

The overall aim of this project is to enhance the country's capacity to manage PCBs and uPOPs in compliance with the Stockholm Convention.

At the event, Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, UNDP Resident Representative in The Gambia, said the project marks a significant milestone in ‘our collective efforts’ to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Polychlorinated Biphenyl.

She noted that UNDP’s commitment to chemicals and waste management resonates deeply with its Administrator Mr. Achim Steiner, who stated "If we are to build forward better from the COVID-19 pandemic towards a green economy, we must ramp-up global efforts to minimize the negative impact of chemicals and waste. Part of the solution lies in circular economy approaches. This will offer new opportunities to decarbonize our economies."

This sentiment, she observed, is demonstrated through their implementation support and partnerships here in The Gambia on the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan – the YIRIWAA Programme.

To that end, she noted that their collaboration with the National Environment Agency and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) has been instrumental in advancing the country’s chemicals and waste management agenda to help The Gambia meet its obligation to the Stockholm Convention by eliminating PCBs by 2025.

For his part, Dr. Dawda Badgie, executive director of the National Environment Agency (NEA), recalled that it is worth knowing that The Gambia ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Ogranic Pollutants in June 2003, joining global efforts to address health concerns associated with exposure to these hazardous substances.

"POP are synthetic organic compounds known for their toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation and ability to travel great distances even to the most remote areas of the world."

Since joining the Convention, he said, The Gambia has taken significant steps to mitigate POPs releases into the environment. The country developed its first NIP in 2009, updated it in 2019 and is currently undertaking another revision.

"In addition to these updates, The Gambia has implemented several capacity-building projects aimed at strengthening national efforts for the sound management of chemical and waste, minimizing the unintentional release of POPs into our fragile yet precious ecosystem."

Further, Dr. Badjie reminded that it is important to reflect that the soon-to conclude uPOPs project has made significant progress, adding that it has identified and will facilitate the disposal approximately of 75 tons of PCB-contaminated equipment and waste as anticipated in the project.

Moreover, the project, he added, has contributed to reducing emissions by approximately 35g (toxic equivalent) a year of uPOPs through improved waste management practices and reduction in the open burning of waste.

Dr. Badjie also noted that the government of the Gambia through the NEA continues to collaborate with key stockholders to enhance their capacities in chemical management through training and awareness campaigns.

Speaking via video link from her base in Paris, France, Diane Menard, project officer at French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) that funded the project, gave an overview of the FFEM project, further thanking all stakeholders for their commitment to the implementation of the project and sustainable protection of the environment.

She disclosed that FFEM is an interministerial financial instrument that serves the French cooperation and development policy, saying it was established by the French government in 1994.

She spoke about the gains made under the project especially in protecting the environment.