I am pleased to introduce the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACA ResIP 2) The Gambia. Through this project, we join eight other countries in the region in safeguarding our shared coastline and coastal resources and protecting the lives and livelihoods of communities.

The WACA Project is a testament to the commitment of H.E President Adama Barrow’s government to safeguarding our communities and ecosystems from the increasing threats of climate change, flooding, and erosion, as outlined in the Recovery-focused National Development Plan 2023-2027.

The Gambia has rich ecosystems that provide a lifeline to thousands of people. However, climate change, poor urban planning and waste management continue to pose great risks to our coastal zones and riverine communities, leading to urban flooding, pollution, and the degradation of our natural resources.

Now, with the support of the World Bank and within the framework of the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA), we are in a stronger position to address some of these challenges and protect the lives and livelihoods of the people most at risk of flooding, erosion and pollution.

Through WACA, we aim to restore and reprofile the Kotu Stream to protect the lives and livelihoods of more than 200,000 people who live in the 11 communities along the Stream and build their resilience. We aim to achieve this by combining green (nature-based) and grey solutions to address flood risks, enhance accessibility across the Stream and protect the public health of communities.

WACA will also work with technical government institutions, such as the National Disaster Management Agency, National Environment Agency, the Department of Water Resources and the National Roads Authority, and two municipal/local councils – Kanifing Municipal Council and Brikama Area Council – to strengthen their capacities to effectively deliver quality services and ensure the sustainability of the project interventions. We will also develop legislation and policies, including a Climate Change Act, National Land Policy, and Disaster Risk Management Policy, among others, to strengthen the country’s resilience building, disaster risk management and sustainable resource management.

Finally, we will also work with communities along the Kotu Stream to identify job opportunities and sustainable interventions to improve their living conditions and promote sustainable development. This intervention, which will be backed by a comprehensive market assessment study, will prioritize investments that uplift women and young people while protecting affected businesses near the Stream.

On behalf of The Gambia Government, I extend my gratitude to the World Bank, our implementing partners, and all stakeholders who are contributing to the realization of the WACA Project. Together, we are not only protecting the Kotu Stream and our coastline but also building a more resilient Gambia.

Hon. Rohey John Manjang
Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources