News and Events

The GMA is hosting a four-day National Dispersant Policy Workshop from 8 to 11 September 2025 at the Metzy hotel in Kololi. The event is organised in collaboration witht the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Global Initiative for West, Central and Southern Africa (GI-WACAF) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (ipieca). Seven institutions have converged at the workshop aimed at developing a national policy for the use of chemical dispersants in the event of an oil spill in Gambian waters. It is a continuation and follow on the processes that The Gambia have embarked upon in 2019 with the ratification of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC 1990).

The Deputy Director General of GMA, Mr. Ousman Touray, deputising for the Director General, in his opening remarks gave an overview of dispersants which he stated are chemical agents used in controlling oil spills. He indicated that their use is subject to the national framework developed to ensure a balanced approach between reducing the harmful impact of oil spills on the environment while weighting the negative impact they may have on marine life.

The DDG emphasised the need for full and timely participation of all relevant stakeholders in a coordinated manner to minimise the often, devastating impact oil spills can have on marine life, the danger it poses to human health and the resultant destruction of livelihoods.

The Project Manager for GI-WACAF, Ms. Anais Guillou in her statement thanked the Government of The Gambia, and particularly The Gambia Maritime Administration for organising the workshop. She stated that the workshop is part of the technical and financial support of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (ipieca) within the framework of GI-WACAF. The project manager pointed at the role of the GI-WACAF project which aims to stregthen the capacity of partner countries to prepare for and respond to marine oil spill.

The Director of Marine Environment, Governance and Policy of GMA, Mr. Wandifa Saidyleigh, gave a policy brief on the responsible use of dispersants in oil spill response.
He highlighed the serious threat oil spills pose to marine ecosystments which necessitates the use of chemical dispersants in order to mitigate their imapcts.

Mr. Saidyleigh outlined the policy recommendations which sougt to establish a National Dispersant Registry, expedite  Authorization/Approval  Process or Utilize the exemption provisions in the Harzadous Chemicals and Pesticides Conrol Management Act 1994 (Part IX, Sec 43). Finally the policy recommendations stipulate Mandating  Environmental Monitoring that would require post-application impact assessment to guide future policy and ensure accountability.

The ceremony was graced  and officially declared open by the Board Chairman of GMA, Hon. Mass Axi Gaye.

Communication Unit, GMA