NNP Marine, Coastal plan validated

The department of state for Forestry and Environment through its technical department for Parks and Wildlife Management, on Monday concluded a two-day validation workshop on the Nuimi National Park Marine and Coastal Management (NNP).

The programme held at Jinnak  lsland in Nuimi brought together different stakeholders, with the NNP peripheral local communities from within and around the Nuimi National Park, to review the existing NNP management plan which does not address thoroughly some issues related to coastal and marine resource management.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at Essau Village, North Bank Region, Alpha Jallow, the director of the department of Parks and Wildlife, elaborated on the importance of wild life management in our communities, noting that, the programme is significant as it will benefit the people.  Dilating on the activities of the department, Mr Jallow revealed that a management team was set up to spearhead the activities of the park which was supported by the International Foundation of Banc-Darguin (FIBA) project.  

He said the FIBA project has assisted them with a speed boat and finance to train 13 people on marine by the Gambian Navy and every month they patrol the park with the boat. He added that the project also assisted them in the community outreach environmental campaign conducted in the villages.  

He further remarked that the FIBA project helped in the sending of some women to Bambu in Senegal, for training on oyster processing and has donated fishing materials and 2 boats to the women in 12 villages, for oyster processing. He concluded that they also facilitated the brain storming of experts in the field of research.

The chief of Lower Nuimi, Fabakary Nana-Sonko, described the programme as a progress for the nation as it is a manifestation of the government’s readiness for development. He called on his people to strengthen their support for the government and urged them to cooperate, unite and develop the community.

Momodou Marr, the deputy governor of North Bank Region, re-echoed the chief’s sentiments that the validation of the NNP management plan manifests a sign of progress for the nation.

He said the Nuimi national park was full of species but due to human activity, most of them ran way. “Without the intervention of the wildlife department, we would not have known of the park today,” he remarked. Deputy governor Marr also underscored the importance of wildlife and called on the people of Nuimi to take the park as their own and project it for the benefit of the entire community. He added that it is not only the government, secretaries of state, chiefs, Alkalolu etc that should develop the country but rather, every citizen.

For his part, Momodou Kotu Cham, the secretary of state for Forestry and the Environment, described the occasion as important for the entire Lower Nuimi, as it reflects on what has been discussed and how it can be beneficial to the people.  He said The Gambia has seven parks adding that, such validation represents their commitment to wild life development.

SoS Cham advised participants to critically look at the strategic plan in the course of the two-day workshop, to see whether what has been said, is what is written since the plan is what will shape their work on the park. He said they have held meetings with those responsible for the 7 parks to furnish them with a strategic plan on how their people will operate and now it is the turn of the people to confirm whether what they said is what is written or not.

SoS Cham disclosed that they are aware that some people are disturbing the development of the parks but the government will take appropriate actions against such people. He advised participants to continue their good work and ignore antagonists who are bent on jeopardizing their progress.