The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Sheriff Barry
28 May 2008
Energy need has topped the agenda of the five-day meeting of the experts of OMVG (Gambia River Basin Development Organisation) countries, which kicked off on Monday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Kololi.
The OMVG is a sub-regional basin organisation comprising The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. Its mission is to ensure rational and concerted use of shared resources among member states.
The Banjul meeting could not have come at a better time, considering the difficulties posed by a surge in global oil prices for the production of energy for global economies, especially those in developing countries. In the face of this daunting challenges, the four-member state organisation is compelled to explore alternative sources of energy for the growth of their economies and development.
Lamin Nyabally, the permanent secretary at the Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, said energy is indispensable in socio-economic economic development and a vehicle for economic growth. "The Energy project as we all know, is one of the most important projects of hope for our governments and peoples, expected to uplift the living conditions of our peoples," he told the meeting.
He then added: "We should recognise that hydroelectric dams which will be the principal source of electricity under the OMVG energy programme are more cost effective in the supply of electricity. In spite of its heavy capital outlays, there are no realistic alternatives giving the escalating price of crude oil and the restrictions on nuclear energy."
"Undoubtedly, a pre-requisite for sustained economic growth within the context of sustainability is the availability of a viable energy supply. In tandem with the objectives of our medium and long term growth strategies and by extension Vision 2020, the need to have in place a reliable energy supply as key building blocks for development cannot be over-emphasised," said PS Nyabally, urging the experts to give maximum input to the speedy implementation of the projects as scheduled.
He informed the meeting that improved access to energy, in particular, electricity, ranks high amongst his development agenda, saying that this is amply demonstrated by the implementation of a rural electrification project and the creation of an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in the energy sector in order to boast power supply.
Mr Nyabally also assured the meeting of The Gambia's commitment to having a bridge across the river at Yellitenda and Bambatenda, given its potential benefits.
During a briefing of ministers which preceded the core agenda of the Banjul meeting, Justino Vieira, the executive secretary of OMVG, spoke at length on the plans and activities of the orgnisation. Mr Vieira said the heads of state and governments of the member states had reached a consensus in 1985 to seek funds for the construction of the Balingho Bridge, Barrage, Kekreti Reservoir Dam and the Kouya Regulating Dam. However, he said progress has been inhibited by the lack of funding.
In the face of these challenges, Mr Vieira recalled that at the 8th Ordinary Session in January 1991, the heads of state and governments decided to restructure the organisation, by creating a secretariat and adopted a programme, covering the The Gambia River Bridge project, The Gambia River Hydraulic Development Plan, as well as an array of energy development plan for all member states.
Commenting on the natural resources development and management projects, Mr Vieira highlighted some of the project objectives and other services of activities, which he said the sectorial objective is to reduce poverty and on sustainable basis, improve the living conditions of the project areas. He said these projects also seek to increase agro-forestry and pastoral output, amongst others.
Yankuba Touray, the secretary of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, said The Gambia has been in the lead in paying its 10% contribution, which is a testimony of The Gambia's commitment to OMVG. SoS Touray said The Gambia will continue supporting the idea of OMVG, noting that its programmes were based on the spirit of regional integration of shared resources.
He also used the occasion to thank the experts of the sub-region and ministers for the role they have played and the achievements made by the organisation.
Ousman Jammeh, secretary of state for Energy and Petroleum and Natural Resources and Lamin Bojang, the secretary of state for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, attended the briefing, which was also attended by Momodou Jallow, the managing director of NAWEC, experts from the OMVG member states and other dignitaries.
The OMVG is the result of the long-standing cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal, which led to the signing of conventions on the status of the River Gambia and the creation of the OMVG on 30th June, 1978, in Kaolack, Senegal.
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