#National News

‘Water & Sanitation key to attaining sustainable development goals’

Oct 21, 2021, 11:55 AM | Article By: Sheikh  Alkinky Sanyang

A Senior Programme Officer (SPO) for Environmental Impact Assessment at the National Environment Agency (NEA) has outlined that water and sanitation are ranked sixth in the Sustainable Development Goals, which he said, are interlinked to global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. 

Lamin M. Camara revealed that as more countries are experiencing water and sanitation stress, potable and affordable drinking water and better sanitation systems require investment in infrastructure to provide water and sanitation facilities to vulnerable people and communities. 

He was speaking at the end of a massive environmental monitoring of the Gambia Climate Smart Rural Water and Sanitation (CSRWASH) Project that targets about 144 communities within five administrative regions of West Coast, Lower River, North Bank, Central River and Upper River regions. 

The exercise is in reference to the approved Environment & Social Management Plan (ESMP) document prepared to guide the constructions and operational phases of the (CSRWASH) project in relation to environmental and social ramifications in order to verify the implementation mitigation commitments and recommendations to the contractors and their teams.

According to him, it is a requirement for an environmental monitoring and supervisions to be conducted within the project sites, much so with the fact that contractors have started the drilling operations of the boreholes and construction of sanitary facilities at some of the project intervention sites. 

The exercise, he pointed out availed officers to collect meaningful and relevant information and recommendations to improve mitigation measures to be undertaken during implementation of the project.

Speaking to this medium just after the completion of the exercise, Camara disclosed that the exercise among other things ensures that mitigation measures against the possible degradation of the areas as stated in the ESMP document are fully implemented during the project implementation cycle. 

“…and to ensure that the project is developed and operates in accordance with relevant environmental legislations of The Gambia including the National Environment Management Act, (NEMA)1994.”

He explained that the selection of project intervention sites or localities was based on key factors which include but not limited to the following: the current poverty level, population size, water point coverage, child mortality and incidence of water borne diseases associated with the locality identified. 

“The project mainly focused on two core components which are the rehabilitation of existing water facilities/infrastructure, and the construction of new water supply and sanitation infrastructures. The specific activities include the drilling of boreholes and building of water distribution facilities, water troughs for livestock and solid and liquid waste management infrastructure.”

Also monitored are the effects of vibration, dust and noise as major potential impacts that could emanate during dredging for pipe laying especially to those residents within the project influence zone. Emergency of STIs, injuries and related occupational health issues over short term were also discovered to be a major issue during project work. The activities of the project in clustered communities will have significant destruction of fauna and flora in intervention areas. The overall negative environmental and social impacts that are anticipated during project implementation could be minimised and managed if the mitigation measures proposed are duly implemented and adhered to during operation.

The project is trying to fulfill the regulatory requirement as far as quarterly monitoring basis is concerned. The working group comprises different stakeholders that go to the project site to inspect and scrutinise contractors’ commitments with regards to the implementation of the ESMP and mitigation commitments, and some of the damaging effects on the environment and social issues.

“As a corrective measure, we recommend were problems are seen and give them the correct way forward.” He said the contractors are up to fulfill all the requirement of the ESMP.

He concluded that sanitation systems aim to protect human health by providing a clean environment that will stop the transmission of disease, especially through the fecal–oral route.

Read Other Articles In National News
Cry of an innocent child
Cry of an Innocent Child book launched
Feb 19, 2021, 1:03 PM

A thrilling poetry book “Cry of An Innocent Child” authored by Lamin Camara was recently launched at the Paradise Suite Hotel, Kololi.

Ghanaian Troops
Ghanaian troops donate to Mbullum Ahmadiya Muslim schools to mark national day
Aug 6, 2020, 10:15 AM

Ghanaian troops serving with the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) and based in Barra in the North Bank Region have observed their national day of 4th August also called Founders’ Day, with a donation of educational materials to the Mbullum Ahmadiyya Muslim Upper Basic and Secondary Schools in the Lower Nuimi District.

Christmas & New Year public holidays declared
Dec 23, 2021, 12:48 PM

State House, Banjul, 22nd December 2021: The Public is hereby informed that His Excellency President Adama Barrow, acting under section 76 of the 1997 Constitution, is pleased to declare Monday December 27th, 2021 and Monday January 3rd, 2022, as public holidays throughout The Gambia.

Govt Employees
Gov’t employees trained on financial management
Jul 21, 2020, 11:09 AM

Government employees, including permanent and deputy permanent secretaries and directors, last Friday concluded a five-day training on financial management, including budget support.