PROTECTING GAMBIAN WETLANDS

PROTECTING GAMBIAN WETLANDS ENVIRONMENT MINISTER VISITS EBOTOWN WETLAND TO ADDRESS ENCROACHMENT ISSUES PREAMBLE THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES, HON. ROHEY JOHN MANJANG, HAS PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO THE PEOPLE OF EBOTOWN WETLAND, WHERE ILLEGAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS HAVE RAISED SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. SHEH JOOF TOURED WITH THE HIGH DELEGATION TO SEE ARREARS AFFECTED AND FILLED DETAILS IN HIS REPORT. STORY A well-timed visit to a critical wetland takes the minister of Environment to Ebotown for a crucial engagement in the peri urban community at the edge of the river Gambia This visit was an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with Minister Manjang engaging residents and authorities to assess the extent of encroachment on the wetland, which serves as an important ecosystem for flood control, water purification, and biodiversity conservation. Minister Manjang said "Wetlands are critical to our environment and must be protected. Unregulated housing in the EBOTOWN area not only threatens our ecosystems but also puts residents at risk of flooding and other environmental hazards. INSERT: ROHEY JOHN MANJANG, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT Hon. Sheriff Sarr, who led the tour, welcomed the minister to the area and called for immediate action to halt further encroachment. Sarr emphasized the urgency of enforcing environmental laws to prevent irreversible damage to the wetland. INSERT. SHERIFF S. SARR. NAM FOR JESHWANG Minister Manjang further assured residents that her ministry is committed to addressing the issue but emphasized that actions will be taken based on expert consultation without fear or favour for the country’s development INSERT: ROHEY JOHN MANJANG, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT The visit concluded with a site inspection, with officials identifying key areas requiring urgent intervention. The environment Minister reaffirmed her ministry’s stance on ecological protection, pledging necessary action to prevent further degradation of the vital EBOTOWN wetland.