Master Plan for the Integrated Development of the Gambia, Kayanga-Geba, and Koliba-Corubal River Basins

Highlight

The Gambia River Basin Development Organisation (OMVG) was created in 1978 and its member States comprise The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. The High Commission is the implementing agency of integrated development programs adopted by member countries for the rational and coherent exploitation of shared resources in the Gambia, Kayanga/Geba, and Koliba/Corubal river basins. Priorities of the OMVG are agricultural development; energy independence; opening up of high potential areas; and preserving balances and the ecosystem.

BRL Ingénierie (BRLi), the lead firm for this assignment has sub-contracted UPi Gambia for the Master Plan’s development activities in The Gambia. UPi works in collaboration with the technical team at BRLi.

The Challenge

The Gambia river basin’s environmental issues include soil degradation and its consequences (deforestation, erosion, overgrazing, and desertification), inappropriate agricultural practices, and water and soil conservation. These issues are compounded by insufficient management of water resources and the lack of consultation between States about the implementation of programs that do not contribute to the integrated management of resources. The Master Plan, therefore, aims to develop a strategic planning framework for the sustainable development of these river basins and to initiate a coherent basin-wide development program for the integrated and concerted management of water resources and ecosystems.

The Approach

  • Water Allocation Modelling
  • Support the Water Resources Thematic Group
  • Drinking water supply and sanitation
  • Coordinate with and support the Water Supply and Sanitation Thematic Group in the data collection process and drafting process of the diagnosis study, and
  • Collect missing data, key reports, and relevant information about water supply, sanitation, and health in Gambia.
  • Focal Point in the Gambia:
  • Support and advise the Team Leader for specific diagnostic and planning activities for the Gambia, and
  • Liaise with the OMVG National Structure in the data collection & collection process.

The Results

OMVG Master Plan (Ongoing).