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| Work of art depicting an oil spill/courtesy of Bush Dwellers |
The
Gambia is preparing for an unpredicted oil disaster as the National Disaster
Management Agency, NDMA, on July 3, 2012 kick-started a four-day “National Oil Spill
Contingency Plan Simulation Exercise.”
The
exercise, ending today, is being held in collaboration with Global Initiative
for West-and Central Africa (GI-WACAF), and International Petroleum Industry
Environment Conservation Association (IPIECA).
It
attracted various sectors in the preservation of human and ecological
environment, marine and petroleum industries. The organisers, NDMA, said the
exercise is meant to building the capacity of the participants on the impact
and challenges of oil spill, and to prepare and come up with a solid and
efficient national oil spill contingency plan.
“It
is important to be fully cognizant of existing international standards and
practices in dealing with maritime safety and marine pollution prevention,” reckons
Gambia’s Petroleum Minister Mrs. Teneng Mba Jaiteh, who was speaking at the Paradise
Suites Hotel in Kololi.
Last
year, the Government through the efforts of the NDMA and partners developed “The
Gambia Multi-Hazard National Contingency Plan” in which “oil spill” as a major
hazard is clearly incorporated.
According
to the minister, this plan was validated and subsequently endorsed by
government in July 2011 and will remain effective until March 2013 when it will
be reviewed and updated to be in tune with prevailing international standards.
The
Plan identifies key stakeholders in disaster response and disaster risk
reduction, maps out roles and responsibilities in emergency preparedness and
response, standard operating procedures for emergency response, scenarios, triggers
and early warning indicators, possible impacts as well as response and
preparedness actions plans, Mrs. Jaiteh added.
She
said the government is aware of the need to shift away from crises management
to risk reduction and management, saying the contingency plan and its specifics
are a clear indication and demonstration of government’s collective will and
resolved to anticipate and effectively respond to any emergency and disaster
related to oil spill in the Gambia.
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| Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010/AP/Huffington Post |
“In as much as we are preparing for potential
oil spill emergencies at the national level, we have to recognised that oil
spills particularly in the marine environment can have cross border
implications,” she warned.
However,
she said in the case of an oil spill, major private sector operators are
required to provide adequate support to the NDMA in terms of information,
logistics and funds where necessary.
The
lead Consultant for IMO-IPIECA and GIWACAF assigned to develop this contingency
plan for Gambia, Mr. John Ostergaard, said the development of an oil spill contingency
plan has been under consideration for several years.
He
said the process is complex, and needs constant scrutiny. The National Plan is a living document that needs
constant updating in order to be in compliance with national and international
developments.
“The
national legislation should provide the legal background for the implementation
of the number of international conventions related to oil spill preparedness,
response and co-operation,” Mr. Ostergaard said. “The purpose of the national
oil spill contingency planning is to establish a framework for co-operation
between the various authorities involved in the response to an oil spill and
between the authorities and the private sectors.”
The
Gambia is a party to the Convention for Co-operation in the Protection and
Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central
Africa and its protocol concerning cooperation in combating pollution in cases
of emergency.
Source: The Voice
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