Gambia.com –  (BANJUL) – The Gambia is making significant strides in its fight against plastic pollution as stakeholders gather for the national validation workshop of the National Action Plan (NAP). This workshop, a crucial step before presenting the plan to the cabinet and the president for approval, aims to refine the NAP based on stakeholder input and ensure its alignment with national priorities.

Organized by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in partnership with Common Seas, the workshop marks the culmination of a collaborative effort that began in July 2022. Mr. Njagga Touray, NEA’s Deputy Executive Director, expressed the government’s satisfaction with the partnership and thanked Common Seas for their support.

The NAP, a ten-year plan, has undergone revisions following feedback from regional consultations with the Regional Technical Advisory Committees. Today’s event brings together diverse stakeholders, including Honourable Saikou Bah from the National Assembly, who praised the progress and pledged support for the plan’s implementation through legislative measures.

Isatou Ceesay, director of Women’s Initiative the Gambia, commended the NAP, emphasizing its importance as a practical tool. Her sentiments were echoed by Abdou Jeng, a customs officer, who highlighted the plan’s alignment with their existing strategies, emphasizing education, engagement, and enforcement.

However, participants also noted the challenge of changing attitudes towards waste management, emphasizing the need for ongoing education and awareness campaigns. Mrs. Fatou Jeng, an environmental activist, called for action, stating, “Gambia is a small country; we can clean it in a day”.

Looking ahead, the NAP will undergo cabinet approval, after which institutions will collaborate on the implementation budget and securing necessary funding. Hon. Saikou Bah stressed the parliament’s role in implementation and suggested engaging the Ministry of Finance early in the process.

The workshop serves as a call to action for all Gambians to join hands in combating plastic pollution and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment for future generations.