Contribute Information
Can you contribute information about this project?
Contact the EWS Team
According to the Bank’s website, The Water Supply Project in the Greater Banjul Area (WASIB) will finance critical infrastructure to provide safely managed drinking water services in the Greater Banjul Area, The Gambia.
WASIB addresses several challenges in the area, including ageing water supply facilities, high levels of non-revenue water, intermittent water supply, and depleting groundwater resources.
The project covers both drilling and emergency works necessary to maintain and improve service continuity for about 660,000 people (approximately 25% of the country’s population). It also includes water production and treatment, as well as water transmission, storage, and distribution for approximately 80,000 additional new beneficiaries.
The aim is to support the Gambian water utility (NAWEC) in strengthening its capacity to operate and maintain water supply systems, with the goal of improving drinking water services in the Greater Banjul Area.
The project will have a positive impact through:
(i) increased access to safely managed drinking water services for the local population;
(ii) reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through energy savings due to optimized, state-of-the-art water exploitation and water treatment processes;
(iii) adaptation to climate change impacts by using a sustainable and more resilient water source in an area that is heavily impacted by climate change; and (iv) improved public health.
During activities of the pre-construction phase, no potential positive impact is anticipated on the biophysical environment.
During the construction phase however, potential negative impacts on the biophysical environment will include:
- Impacts relating to geology and soils;
- Air pollution;
- Noise and vibration nuisance;
- Unsightly landscape;
- Improper waste;
- deforestation;
- Negative impacts on fauna;
- Impacts on landscape - waste from disused and worn-out materials such as pipes and other equipment will create eyesores if not collected from the sites and managed properly;
- Loss of Trees ;
- Loss of fauna.
Negative impacts on the human environment:
- Negligence of vulnerable groups and Gender-Based Violence (GBV);
- Risks to Public Health and Safety;
- Negative impacts from Violence Against Children (VAC);
- Risks to Occupational Health and Safety;
- Risks of Communicable Diseases;
- Community Instability and Reduced Cohesiveness (Including Impacts from Labor Influx);
- Impacts on sites of cultural and historical significance;
- Risks to public health and safety where people encounter broken pipes during operation leading to floods;
- Occupational health and safety risks during all works, including operation and maintenance activities, workers are at risk of accidents from machinery, traffic, and illnesses.;
- Negative impacts on public services particularly during connection to the main water plant, when there will be temporary disruption of services to existing customers.
A more detailed analysis of the risks can be found in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report.
According to the Company’s website, the National Water and Electricity Company Ltd. (NAWEC) is The Gambia’s primary provider of electricity, water, and sewerage services. With a national mandate to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable utility services, NAWEC plays a critical role in powering economic growth and improving quality of life across the country.
| Private Actor 1 | Private Actor 1 Role | Private Actor 1 Sector | Relation | Private Actor 2 | Private Actor 2 Role | Private Actor 2 Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | NATIONAL WATER AND ELECTRICITY COMPANY LTD (NAWEC) | Client | - |
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
PO BOX 609 53 Mamadi
Maniyang Highway kanifing,
Banjul, The Gambia
Omar SANNEH - Project Coordinator
Phone: 2202-996-5712
Email: osanneh@nawec.gm
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.eib.org/en/infocentre/registers/request-form/request-form-default.htm
ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF EIB
The EIB Complaints Mechanism is designed to facilitate and handle complaints against the EIB by individuals, organizations or corporations affected by EIB activities. When exercising the right to lodge a complaint against the EIB, any member of the public has access to a two-tier procedure, one internal - the Complaints Mechanism Office - and one external - the European Ombudsman. A complaint can be lodged via a written communication addressed to the Secretary General of the EIB, via email to the dedicated email address: complaints@eib.org, by completing the online complaint form available at the following address: http://www.eib.org/complaints/form via fax or delivered directly to the EIB Complaints Mechanism Division, any EIB local representation office or any EIB staff. For further details, check: http://www.eib.org/attachments/strategies/complaints_mechanism_policy_en.pdf
When dissatisfied with a complaint to the EIB Complaints Mechanism, citizens can then turn towards the European Ombudsman. A memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the EIB and the European Ombudsman establishes that citizens (even outside of the EU if the Ombudsman finds their complaint justified) can turn towards the Ombudsman on issues related to 'maladministration' by the EIB. Note that before going to the Ombudsman, an attempt must be made to resolve the case by contacting the EIB. In addition, the complaint must be made within two years of the date when the facts on which your complaint is based became known to you. You can write to the Ombudsman in any of the languages of the European Union. Additional details, including filing requirements and complaint forms, are available at: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/atyourservice/interactiveguide.faces
