By: Nyima Sillah
Following the start of construction of the Deep Sea Port Project in Sanyang, a youth leader in the village, Kebba Jabang looks at the pros and cons of the project.
In an interview with The Voice, Kebba Jabang, Project Manager of Sanyang Youths for Environmental Protection and Development (SANYEPD), welcomed the project’s potential benefits but emphasized the need to manage its environmental risks carefully. “As a native of Sanyang, I am truly honored to witness this historic milestone. We believe it will bring jobs, boost trade, and improve the livelihoods of many families here,” Jabang remarked.
However, he warned that indirect impacts such as sedimentation, pollution, and changes in water dynamics could threaten local biodiversity and fisheries if not properly addressed. “Biodiversity is interconnected,” he explained, noting that increased shipping traffic and industrial runoff may disrupt fish migration and breeding cycles vital to the community’s livelihood.
He further stated that though the site was chosen to avoid mangrove forests and sandy beaches critical breeding grounds for marine life, but caution that water contamination, noise pollution, and coastal erosion remain potential long-term risks.
According to him, an environmental Impact assessment was conducted in line with national regulations, focusing on biodiversity and coastal dynamics. Summaries have been shared publicly, but the full report has yet to be fully disclosed.
“The government holds the full EIA and is expected to finalize it before construction starts. Yet the foundation stone has already been laid, and the media have confirmed the site.”
He stated that initial consultations involved environmental experts, the National Environmental Agency (NEA), the Village Development Committee (VDC), and independent consultants, stressing the importance of ongoing community engagement throughout construction to promptly identify and address emerging concerns.
“Initial consultations were good, but continuous dialogue is needed so problems like sedimentation and pollution can be spotted early and reduced,” he pointed out.
He outlined short-term risks including increased water turbidity from dredging, which could cause suspended particles to drift toward sensitive habitats depending on tides and currents. Longer-term concerns, he says, include changes in wave patterns and sediment transport that might lead to erosion or habitat disruption, even though the port is located away from ecological zones.
To mitigate these risks, he recommended using silt curtains and containment barriers during dredging to control sediment spread, enforcing strict waste management to handle oil residues and other pollutants, and implementing noise control during construction to protect marine life.
He also highlighted the need for independent environmental monitoring throughout the project’s lifecycle. “Such monitoring would verify baseline data, track indicators like water quality and biodiversity, and assess the effectiveness of mitigation efforts. Independent monitoring builds public trust and ensures accountability. Currently, this is lacking,” he stated.
However, despite these concerns, Jabang remains hopeful. “We trust this project will be carried out responsibly and inclusively, involving youth, women, and local entrepreneurs,” he said, thanking President Adama Barrow, the Gambia Ports Authority, and project partners for selecting Sanyang for the investment.
“Our community stands ready to support and collaborate. To ensure the deep-sea port’s success without compromising our environment,” Mr. Jabang added.