By Lamin Njie
Mr. Louis Moses Mendy, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, has said that the development of the Gambia’s National Oil Spill Contingency and Response Plan has been a major concern for the Gambia Maritime Administration and stakeholders over the years.
Permanent Secretary Mendy
Mr. Mendy made this remark recently, during the opening of a five-day training workshop on oil spill contingency for stakeholders organised by the Gambia Maritime Administration held at Metzy Hotel in Kololi.
“The development of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan will mark a major milestone for the Gambia in fulfilling its obligations under OPRC 1990 but more so, in ensuring the country becomes prepared for the uncertain and often extremely tough and challenging situations involving oil spills,” he said
According to him, spills involving heavy oils pose serious environmental threats that have far-reaching economic, social, and health implications for coastal states.
“Depending on their magnitude, they have the potential to destroy livelihoods and the environment over vast areas - sometimes spreading across numerous countries. The minor oil spill incident at Mandinary in May 2022 was an eye-opening experience for The Gambia. This spill although minor has overwhelmed the collective synergies of the concerned institutions involved in the cleanup exercise,” he added.
He further stated that preparedness is vital and very often a major determinant in the outcome of oil spill response measures, he said.