By Zainab Jobarteh
The Gambia Government has developed the National Disaster Risk Management Policy 2023-2033, and a regulation for maize and rice.
These two crucial documents were approved by cabinet during last week’s cabinet meeting, presided over the Vice President, His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, at the State House.
The National Disaster Risk Management Policy 2023-2033 is a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing the growing challenges posed by natural disasters and climate-related events.
Relaying the outcome of the meeting to the press, the Hon. Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, affirmed cabinet approval of the policy, and described it as a forward-looking policy that will serve as The Gambia’s strategic response to disaster risk management, enhancing the country’s preparedness and resilience.
The Maize and Rice Regulations on the other hand aim to establish the initial requirements for implementing the Food Safety and Quality Act, ensuring that food for sale in The Gambia meets safety and suitability standards.
The regulations, according to the Information Minister, will maintain public confidence in the food system and protect consumers from health risks.
In addition to the policy and regulations, Dr. Ceesay informed that an information paper was presented to Cabinet by the Hon. Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs. ‘‘This information paper,’’ he said,‘‘provided an update on the 2024 population census, which will offer crucial insights into population structures, socio-demographic characteristics, and housing conditions across the country’’.
The census, he went on, will be instrumental in governance, policy-making, and development planning, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and monitoring progress on the Recovery Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators.
