GMA HODLS A NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLAN DEVELOPMENT
The Gambia Maritime Administration in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Global Initiative for West Central and Southern Africa GI-WACAF began a five-day training workshop on the Development of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) scheduled from 11-15 September 2023 at the Metzy Residence Hotel.
The workshop will provide training on capacity building on Oil Spill Preparedness and Response. The Gambia became party to the OPRC 1990 Convention in 2019 and it has been a priority for the country to develop a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan as required under Article 6 of the Convention.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Louise Moses Mendy delivered the keynote address in which he thanked the IMO through the GI-WACAF project for its continued support in developing the country’s capacity to ensure Maritime Safety, Security and Protection of the Marine Environment.
PS Mendy urged the participants to engage the consultants in constructive discussions to gain greater insight and understanding of the topics. He expressed optimism that the participants will adequately represent the country in this important national undertaking.
The Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency, Mr. Sanna Dahaba also addressed the participants and reiterated his Office’s support through the leadership of the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, who deputizes as the chairman of the National Disaster Governing Council. Mr. Dahaba assured the gathering that his office will fully support the development and implementation of the NOSCP as required.
The project manager of GI-WACAF madam Anaïs GUILLOU expressed gratitude to the Government of The Gambia and the Gambia Maritime Administration for organizing the workshop. She thanked the IMO and IPIECA for the technical and financial support to the Gambia within the framework of the GI-WACAF. The GI-WACAF project was established in 2006 and aims to strengthen the capacity of countries to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills by promoting cooperation between the public and private sectors, in particular the oil industry. Madam Guilou stated that this workshop is the sixth joint effort between the Gambian authorities and the GI-WACAF project.
She described the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan as a key document outlining the National Preparedness and Response system in place to ensure an adequate, effective and coordinated response in the event of an oil spill. She emphasized that, it is therefore essential to lay the foundations of the plan, taking into account the national context of the Gambia, the specific risks and sensitivities, and the country’s administrative and territorial organization.
Madam GUILLOU finally reiterated that the development and, above all, the implementation of the Plan require the commitment of all the institutions concerned, as well as public and private operators in the oil, mining, port and maritime transport sectors.
The workshop will end on Friday 15 September 2023.
GMA
