GMA and Partners Organize National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Validation Workshop

Nicky Cariglia, Marittima was delighted to be back in the Gambia, for a four day validation workshop for the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, organized by GMA and its partners. The workshop took place at the Bakadaji hotel.

The workshop is part of the finalization of National Oil Spill Contingency Plan which has been developed over the past twelve months, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency- NDMA, National Environment Agency- NEA, and supported by the International Maritime Organization-IMO, the Global Initiative for West, Central and Southern Africa – GI-WACAF, the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association- IPIECA, the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone – PRCM.

The purpose of the plan is to ensure the timely, measured, and effective response to incidents of marine pollution from shipping and offshore installations. To achieve this, key stakeholders are identified and the governance arrangements under which stakeholders should operate are defined. The plan will guide General incident management, the method and structures of coordination and communication and the general resources that should be used.

The Director General of GMA Mr. Karamo Bakary Janneh in his opening address expressed delight at welcoming the participants to the workshop. DG Janneh highlighted the importance of the plan which is an obligation under the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC 1990).

The DG thanked all the partners for the special roles they played in organizing the event and in the development of capacity for the country.

Representatives for the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure and the Executive Director of NDMA delivered speeches at the event.

Source : GMA