President Adama Barrow yesterday announced that The Gambia through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources will benefit from an initial disbursement of £20 million donated by the government of Canada on climate related problems.

In his State of the Nation’s Address at the National Assembly, the President revealed that sector personnel are now working with the International Institute for Environment and Development the Least Developed Countries’ Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience Project for implementation.

“It is geared towards ensuring that 70% of climate finance reaches the intended communities, with four other countries,” the President said.

He added that a project of US$45 million under the West Africa Coastal Area Management funded by the World Bank was also approved in December 2022 for The Gambia.

“The project is meant to reduce climate-related disasters, such as flooding in the urban area,” he elaborated. “Correspondingly, a 6.9 million Euro project, funded by the French Development Agency, was approved late last year. Its main objective is to support five marine protected areas and the communities around them.”

The President underlined that the “Ministry looks forward this year to enacting” the Biodiversity/Wildlife Bill and the CITES Bill.

“They are at the Ministry of Justice for legal review,” he said, adding: “In the same vein, review of the Biodiversity and Wildlife Policy and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2015-2020) has commenced. Further, the Wetland Policy will be developed, and efforts stepped up to fulfill The Gambia’s international obligations.”

Borrow also said: “In fulfilling government’s obligation of domesticating international laws and conventions and to strengthen the sector’s management and regulatory frameworks, three important bills have been formulated, namely the National Environment Management Bill, the Chemical Control and Management Bill, and the Waste Management Bill. They are under review for submission to this Assembly thereafter.”

In view of the alarming rate of coastal erosion and other environmental concerns, President Barrow said his administration would adopt measures to promote the integrated approach to coastal zone management and address emerging challenges.

“The enactment of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Bill will strengthen these measures,” he said.

“On general environmental quality regulation and management to enhance the wellbeing of Gambians, I have reintroduced the voluntary monthly national cleansing exercise, Set’settal. I urge everyone to take it seriously and participate in it.”

Credited by: Thepoint.gm