The Gambia’s National Environment Agency (NEA) is the focal point for the Rotterdam, Basel, and Stockholm Conventions as well as the Montreal Protocol. By virtue of its mandate to oversee and coordinate management of chemicals and g[hazardous wastes] under these MEAs, the NEA established a network of enforcement personnel in all five geographic Divisions of The Gambia. This network seeks to respond to the limited personnel resources within the Inspectorate of the NEA. The network comprises personnel from the Departments of Agriculture, Livestock, Health, and Customs. A Ministerial Decree and Gazette sanctioned the appointment of the personnel. As members of the network, the enforcement personnel act as inspectors for monitoring chemicals, including those covered by the Rotterdam (PIC) and Stockholm (POPs) Conventions. NEA inspectors cover the greater Banjul Area. The members of the network are all tasked with the same responsibilities; different members do not cover different chemicals. The NEA, through the Agricultural Divisional Coordinators, is responsible for the coordination of the network. For more information, contact fjndoye@qanet.gm or nea@gamtel.gm.
As a practical matter, there is a separate network for each MEA (or cluster of MEAs) due to the differences between the MEAs and the relevant agencies involved. Thus, for other MEAs – such as the UNCCD, CBD, and UNFCCC – which are administered by other institutions in The Gambia, other inspectors are charged with ensuring compliance.
For more information, contact Mr. Bubu Jallow at bubupateh@yahoo.com (UNFCCC); Dr. Almamy Camara at wildlife@gamtel.gm (CBD); and Mr. Jato Sillah at forestry.dept@gamtel.gm (UNCCD)