Fatoumatta J Camara
The National Environment Agency (NEA) in collaboration with the Climate Smart Rural Wash Development Project has recently organised a two-day capacity-building workshop for members of the EIA Working Group from different regions across the country.
The workshop was used to train the EIA working group members on the need to fill capacity gaps observed in the area of project monitoring and accurately report on monitoring findings.
The two-day training held at NaNA Conference Center, among other things, ensured that there is effective monitoring and accurate reporting on the project performance in respect of their environmental approved conditions, which is a critical component in ensuring that the Agency is better advice in taking appropriate measures for project environmental and social sustainability.
Speaking at the conduct of the training, Mr. Michael Mendy, representative of the Project Director dilated on the reason and importance of conducting the training which was geared towards bringing development to the communities, especially in terms of environmental and social issues.
In terms of bringing development, he noted that The Gambia has parks and wildlife, and the country’s natural habitat should not be affected or tampered with.
He has well reflected on the project mapping while encouraging everyone to preserve the historical areas and natural habitat of the animals as they are equally important, too on this planet.
Mr. Mendy noted that there are indicators for quarterly monitoring saying they have already hired environmental specialists to help in the development of the environmental reports.
Seedy Touray, CEO of Mansankonko Area Council said they are very concerned about the sustainability of the project especially the taxpayers who are directly paying their tax to the council.
He added that the Councils are seriously committed to making sure that any projects that are implemented, the councils are directly involved and they will make sure that they are sustained accordingly.
Mr Malick Bah, the director of technical services during the gathering pointed out the relevance of the EIA capacity building training programme.
He said the training is definitely in line with the climate-smart objectives of institutional capacity-building training of national institutions.
He implored them to thank the climate-smart coordinators and the team that came to support the National Environment Agency in training the national EIA working group.
