Banjul could be at serious risk of flooding this year unless……

Africa » Gambia

Banjul is six feet below sea level

The City of Banjul might be threatened if the water pumping station along the Bond Road collapses, says Abubacarr Bah, the National Water and Electricity Company (Nawec) officer in charge of the station.

Bah stressed that the facility needs immediate reconstruction instead of rehabilitation, saying Banjul could be at even greater risk if serious flooding strikes from the sea, which can even compel the inhabitants to vacate.

 The pumping station serves as a taming point of water that flows into Banjul. The facility is currently in a dilapidated condition, and was last renovated in 1994  but Mr. Bah said this needed to be addressed immediately. The pumping station helps to pump water out of the city during sea rise.

 It could be recalled that the pumping station was installed in the Bond Road area of Banjul 1954 after the 1947 severe Banjul floods the killed so many people.

Speaking to journalists yesterday at the pumping station , Mr. Bah emphasized that  there is need for a greater concentration on the pumping station for a reconstruction, observing that if it is not rehabilitated it can last for only couples of months..

The disaster management coordinator for Banjul, Hudul Colley said they are currently negotiating with the Japanese Embassy in Dakar for their assistance to rehabilitate the facility.

Wilson Syngle, the deputy mayor of BCC told the delegates that the Council is trying its best to address disaster issues within Banjul.

 He cited the high-level rise of the river, poor drainage systems and uncovered drainage as some of the factors posing problems to them.

 He also listed the main canal in Tobacco Road and the Bond Road pumping stations as other challenges. Syngle used the platform to thank the NEMA delegates for visiting the Council and reiterated the need for a greater collaboration between them and the NDMA to address disasters whenever they strike.

By Dawda Bayo

Environment experts concerned over coastal erosion

Africa » Gambia

 

deplorable condition of Senegambia beach

 

Environment experts at the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment headed by Minister Fatou Ndey Gaye recently visited the country’s urban coastlines, raising concerns on the depleting nature of the seashore, especially at the Senegambia area.

Gaye, who assumed office four months ago as the minister of Forestry and the Environment was accompanied on the tour by officials of the National Environment Agency (NEA). The daylong tour took them to coastlines in Cape Point, Fajara and Senegambia.

The tour, according to officials was meant to obtain firsthand information on the current situation of the coastlines with a view to come up with concrete mechanisms that would help in averting or lessening possible future erosions and other problems that threatened the coastlines. The tour also sought to acquaint the new Forestry and the Environment minister on the different mitigation actions taken by stakeholders in the past to halt the impact of the coastal erosion that ate up a greater part of the area.

Speaking to the accompanying journalists on the tour, Minister Fatou Ndey-Gaye, said that even though all the sites visited need attention, the beaches at Senegambia and Kairaba require urgent consideration. She indicated that after the beach nourishment in the area, the coast was 160 meters away but decried that it has significantly reduced to just 16 meters.

Recalling that there was some nourishment at the beach sometime ago by the government, Minister Gaye lamented that her Ministry has already realised that the same problems that were addressed have been reoccurring again at the beach sites.

“One has to come out to see where the problems are happening,” she stated, while acknowledging the efforts of various individuals in trying to put the problems at bay.

“We appreciate their efforts because their properties are on the beaches and they have done a lot,” she said.

Minister Gaye admitted that erosions are taking place at the beaches, but was quick to indicate that it is caused by both the sea and the rain, a situation she said makes the problem more complicated.

She then indicated her Ministry’s commitment to put heads together with a view to draw a roadmap to tackle the issue.

“The Ministry would involve stakeholders and come up with something in the very near future,” she promised.

Also speaking to reporters, the executive director of the NEA, Momodou Sarr, said among the places they visited, the Senegambia area needed more attention than others.

“In my opinion, this particular site needs more attention,” he stated, recalling that in 2004 after the beach nourishment, it was pushed 160 meters away from the coast compared to now when it has drastically reduced.

The environment expert argued that the site is the only one among the visited areas that needs urgent attention.

Dilating on the impact of erosion, the NEA boss expatiated that erosion is bad in that it affectsbiodiversity. He spoke about the importance of mangroves, something he said is not only vital to tourism but also serve as a breeding ground for many species. He added that it would be prudent to maintain the sand on the beaches as it is critical for tourism.

Author: by bayo

Tree planting along the entrance of Banjul intl. airport.

 

Wood dealers want ornamental look for airport highway

Africa » Gambia

The chairman of the Association of Wood Re-exporters and Forest Users in The Gambia has disclosed that his Association has transplanted 1500 Lonely Pop trees locally called ‘Gumpo’ along the airport highway from the main junction to the terminal building, aimed at ornament ally beautifying that road as the first point of entry to the country.

Lamin Barrow made this disclosure over the weekend during an interview with the Daily Observer. He said the Association was formed two ye ars ago to help its members and also complement government’s effort in promoting afforestation. “We did the planting voluntarily to contribute our own quota in national development. We planted them in 2010 and today we gathered here to provide them protection and safety against intruders for their sustainability,” he added.   

He explained that they have employed a caretaker who will be overseeing the trees and will be monitored by their secretary general. Barrow also urged his members to be law abiding and respond quickly to calls of national development. “It is through hard work and participation in national development ventures of this nature that, our efforts can be recognised. I want to use this medium to also elucidate that our Association is not only a profit-making entity but also a contributor to the efforts of government,” he stated.

Also speaking to this reporter, Sambou Nget, senior forestry officer at the Department of Forestry, spoke on the importance of the project. According to him, the work exercise will not only provide security for the planted seedlings but will serve as an addendum in improving on their sustainability.

“We all know the importance of trees in our environment. Having these trees also means reducing carbon from our environment and also contributing to the fight of global warming. At Forestry our mandate is to protect trees in the forest and grow more to increase the forest cover,” he said. 

He called on people to be planting trees all the times, noting that it is not enough to plant but also take care of them. Nget also commended the members of the Association for their large turnout to participate in the exercise.His words: “I was so much encouraged and enthusiastic when I saw the participants who are mostly young people. The fact that old people cannot do it your massive turn out here is encouraging and I want to urge you to continue.”

Author: by Dawda bayo

Forestry Ministry issues stern warning to timber dealer

Africa » Gambia

The Ministry of Forestry and the Environment has issued a press release informing the general public of the assessment of stock of imported timber for re-export in URR, CRR, LRR and NBR, that it has conducted, following which the Ministry took a decision to allow the evacuation of the said stock from these Regions from the 19th June to 15th July 2012. The release added that anyone found transporting imported timbers in these regions for re-export beyond this period would be prosecuted.

The release reads:

In accordance with Section 5 of the General Provisions of the Forest Regulations 1998, the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment hereby informs the general public that after conducting an assessment of stock of imported timber for re-export in URR, CRR, LRR and NBR, a decision has been taken to allow the evacuation of the said stock from these Regions from the 19th June to 15th July 2012.

The general public is strongly urged to ensure that all imported timber for re-export in these Regions are evacuated to designated log yards in West Coast Region and Kanifing Municipality during the above-stated period. Any person found transporting imported timbers in these Regions for re-export beyond this period will be confiscated and the individual(s) will be prosecuted.

The general public is further informed that as per the provisional conditions of the timber re-export trade 2012, all logs for re-export must enter the country through entry points in West Coast Region (not outside Kalagi Village). These logs will be subjected to inspection at Mandinaba and Giboro, where Forestry personnel are posted to issue royalties and removal permits before GRA permits could be issued.

These measures have been put in place to curb the rampant destruction of our forest cover, which is one of the conditions for lifting of the ban on timber re-export by an Executive Directive Ref: OP 248/126/01/Part VII (78-LAC) dated 9th May 2012 from the Office of the President. The measures are further intended to address effectively the illegal felling of indigenous species particularly the endangered species such as West African rose wood (Keno) in our forests.

You would all recall that the rampant tree felling that occurred in the year 2007 and the ones which followed thereafter have contributed to the fast disappearance of such valuable tree species like ‘Keno’ (Pterocarpus erinaceous), ‘Jalo’ (Khaya senegalensis), ‘Sibo’ (Borrasus aerthiopium), ‘Santanwo’ (Dianellaoliveri) and other economic tree species, most of which are found to be immature, threatened and near extinction.

With the advent of this trade, forest protection becomes a real challenge in terms of monitoring as the incidents of illegal felling become highly alarming over the period. Despite the Department of Forestry’s effort in prosecuting people found wanting, the rate keeps on increasing and has reached a point where the Department cannot contain it and that the above measures are required to address the issue in order for the timber re-port trade to continue.

By a copy of this press release, all State Security Services, Regional Governors, District Chiefs, Village Alkalolu and the general public are hereby duly informed and are kindly requested to intervene or report to the nearest Forest Station, Police Station and other security checkpoints any incidents related to the above.

Author: Dawda bayo