By Fatou Dahaba
The National Environment Management Bill 2025 (NEMA Bill 2025) has been referred to the Assembly’s Business Committee (ABC) for further scrutiny, marking a significant step toward updating The Gambia’s environmental governance framework. The decision, made during today’s parliamentary session, paves the way for the bill to be assigned to a relevant standing committee for consultations with state and non-state actors before it returns to the plenary for debate.
The ABC, chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly, has three days to assign the bill to an appropriate committee. This committee will conduct comprehensive consultations and submit a detailed report to inform future discussions. The referral followed a motion by the Banjul South lawmaker, which was unanimously supported by members, reflecting a collective commitment to thoroughly evaluating the bill’s provisions.
Introduced by the Minister of Environment, Rohey John Manjang, the NEMA Bill 2025 aims to address gaps in the existing National Environment Management Act of 1994. Minister Manjang emphasized that the new bill responds to evolving local and international environmental regulations, conventions, and policies. “Since 1994, both local and international environmental frameworks have changed, creating gaps in the current act,” she stated. “The NEMA Bill 2025 is designed to address these gaps and align with new realities, prioritizing national interests in environmental management.”
The bill introduces robust measures to enhance environmental protection, including regulations on population growth, sound chemical and pesticide management, climate change mitigation, comprehensive community engagement strategies, and sustainable waste management with an integrated macroeconomic perspective. These provisions aim to ensure that environmental policies align with the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, which enshrines environmental protection as a fundamental duty, as well as international frameworks, such as the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Global Sustainable Development.
Bakary Kora, National Assembly Member for Upper Fulladu West, seconded the motion to refer the bill, highlighting its comprehensive scope. “The objectives of this bill address critical issues for sustainable environmental management,” Kora said. “It promotes a concerted effort from all stakeholders to protect our environment for future generations. If we fail to manage our environment properly, we risk compromising the quality of life for those to come.”
The NEMA Bill 2025 seeks to establish a robust legal framework to promote the enhancement, protection, conservation, and sustainable management of The Gambia’s environment. Key objectives include harmonizing conflicting activities to integrate environmental considerations into the national development agenda and safeguarding the environment as a shared heritage. The bill reinforces principles such as sustainable development, public participation, accountability, the polluter-pays principle, and the precautionary principle.
Additionally, the bill aims to align national policies with international environmental obligations while fostering cooperation among government bodies, the private sector, and local communities. By promoting shared responsibility, the legislation aims to safeguard natural resources, enhance public health, and foster socio-economic development, thereby ensuring a balanced relationship between development and environmental conservation.
The referral to the ABC followed a spirited debate on the bill’s merits, with lawmakers agreeing that further scrutiny was necessary before a general debate could proceed. The standing committee tasked with reviewing the bill will consult with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure its provisions reflect the needs and aspirations of Gambians while addressing global environmental challenges.
Once enacted, the NEMA Bill 2025 is expected to strengthen central environmental governance, prioritizing sustainable development to improve the quality of life without compromising the needs of future generations. The bill’s emphasis on coordination and stakeholder engagement is seen as a critical step toward ensuring that environmental protection becomes a collective effort across all sectors of society.
As The Gambia grapples with pressing environmental challenges, including climate change and waste management, the NEMA Bill 2025 represents a forward-looking approach to safeguarding the nation’s natural resources. The outcome of the committee’s consultations and the subsequent plenary debate will determine the bill’s final shape, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting its potential to transform environmental governance in the country.
