By: Haddy Touray
Stakeholders of the Gambia Mangrove REDD+ Project have taken a unanimous decision to meet with the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) over the suspension of funding for the multi-million-dollar mangrove restoration initiative.
This decision comes in the wake of Orsted’s continued suspension of funding, with the sponsor insisting that disbursement will only resume after the National Audit Office (NAO) concludes its audit and Momodou Lamin Gassama, Director of the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM), continues reporting to the police headquarters every six weeks.
“Our gathering here is to find a way out of this situation so that the project can continue its operations and the beneficiaries can keep receiving their benefits,” the Deputy Governor of Lower River Region (LRR) disclosed at a recent stakeholders’ meeting. “From here, we will set up a committee comprising all chiefs in the beneficiary regions, including one Alkalo each from Foni, Jarra, and Kiang, to meet with the Minister and officials at MECCNAR so that we can find a solution to this issue,” he said.
He further emphasized, “We are going to the Minister to appeal for any possible assistance to keep the project operational. Beneficiaries are very worried about losing the benefits they receive from the project. It is important to hear from the Ministry so we can find common ground and move forward.”
Saikou Janko, Chairman of the Kombo Foni Forestry Association (KOMFORA), stressed the significance of the meeting, noting that it aims to resolve the deadlock between the Gambia Mangrove REDD+ Project and the Ministry. He also pointed out the importance of ensuring that the project continues to operate freely for the benefit of communities.
According to Janko, 134 communities are currently benefiting from the project, which supports various livelihood activities. He said the project has built mosques, gardens, feeder roads, fenced schools, and provided school fees and bicycles to students in several regions.
Janko added that project sponsors recently visited The Gambia and expressed satisfaction with the initiative. He noted that the suspension has left beneficiaries anxious, urging the Government to help resolve the issue.
Lamin Jobarteh, Executive Director of the West Africa Birds Study Association (WABSA), emphasized the project’s importance for local communities, saying it has supported numerous community-driven initiatives and provided income for thousands of families.
Jobarteh warned that the suspension would seriously affect communities trying to restore mangrove ecosystems. He also raised concerns about carbon credit payments, expected to benefit communities for the next 100 years, now in jeopardy due to the suspension.
Beneficiaries including Edrissa Njie, Sadibou Bondi, Mariama Sora, and Babucarr Fofana all appealed to the Government to step in and ensure the project continues.
