Preparation for a marine oil spill incident is crucial. The Gambia is being supported to develop its National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP), which is the foundation for an effective and sustainable oil spill preparedness and response framework. An in-person national workshop in Banjul, the Gambia (11-15 September), was delivered under the framework of the GI WACAF Project, which works to enhance the capacity of partner countries to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills.
The workshop supports effective implementation of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) Convention. During the event, 40 national stakeholders and government personnel involved in oil pollution response were familiarized with the roles and responsibilities that need to be addressed prior to, and during an oil spill. In particular, the importance of effective collaboration amongst numerous different stakeholders. An action plan was produced to facilitate ongoing development of an effective national oil spill preparedness and response framework.
The workshop was delivered through IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ICTP), and forms part of the Organization's commitment to supporting African Small Island Developing States (SIDs) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the effective implementation of OPRC Convention.