The Gambia and Zoomlion Gambia Integrated Waste Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, have signed a landmark concession agreement and cut the sod for the construction of The Gambia Integrated Waste Treatment facilities.
Last Wednesday’s historic dual event began at the State House in Banjul with the signing of the Integrated Waste Management Project (IWMP) Concession Agreement. It culminated at Tambana, Brikama, in the West Coast Region, with the grand launch and sod-cutting ceremony.
The President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, attended both events.
Contract scope
The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs on behalf of the Gambian government, and by the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong.
The Gambian Integrated Waste Treatment facility is intended to benefit local entities by improving local sanitation, offering employment opportunities for local youth and women, and converting community waste into useful agricultural and industrial resources.
Phase one of the project will see the concessionaire finance, design and construct a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant and transfer stations, as well as the provision of municipal solid waste collection and transportation services.
Crucially, it includes the decommissioning of the Bakoteh and Mile 2 dumpsites and the recovery of raw recoverables such as plastics and metals.
Phase two, which will be activated after the second anniversary, will include liquid waste management and expansion to other regions.
Minister hails partnership
In her remarks, the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang, noted that the initiative formed part of a set of priorities for the National
Assembly and the broader national agenda, adding that the process had not been an easy assignment.
"The team has done extremely excellent work to protect our land and address the challenges we face," she said.
The minister recounted that when she first met Dr Agyepong, he shared an experience in which he narrowly escaped death in a fire in Libya, and explained that the solutions needed could not always be found in the usual places.
"We must look at countries and communities where similar challenges exist, examine where progress have been made, and identify solutions that have successfully addressed those same problems.
That is the essence of this approach," she stated.
Reflecting on the journey, Ms Manjang said the initiative had demonstrated the importance of bold and creative steps.
"We cannot continue transforming the structures of this country without taking bold and creative steps. We must find practical ways to address our challenges and deliver results," she said.
Environment agency pleased
The Executive Director of the National Environment Agency, Dr Dawda Badgie, expressed profound honour at the occasion, describing it as a historic milestone for The Gambia.
"The issue of waste management is a concern in this country, and it is in that light that the entire framework came together to work and see how we can work together to address the problem," he noted, adding that: "It is a difficult situation and it requires a lot of involvement in both financial and technical expertise."
He acknowledged the support of local government authorities, including the Gambia Biodiversity Council, the Gambia Respiratory Council and the Gambia Health Council, for their continuous engagement and commitment to the process.
Dr Agyepong revealed that the historic partnership began with a simple conversation on a flight with the Vice-President of The Gambia, Mohammed B. S. Jallow.
That conversation, which continued in the VIP lounge, evolved into a shared belief and a course of action.
A government delegation subsequently visited Ghana to inspect Jospong's facilities, verifying their capacity before the MoU and the contract were finalised.
He commended President Barrow's government for its commitment to sustainable development, specifically citing the YIRIWAA National Development Plan and its investments in roads, electricity and infrastructure.
Dr Agyepong described the partnership as a powerful demonstration to the world that Africans had the talent and enterprise to solve their own challenges.
To underscore Zoomlion’s capacity to deliver, Dr Agyepong shared Jospong Group's remarkable growth story, which started from a humble beginning with a manual tricycle in 2006 to the present, when Zoomlion operates in 29 African countries and has over 75 subsidiaries, with a core staff of 10,000, delivering over 250,000 job opportunities across Africa, and operating 38 waste treatment plants.
"I humbly share this primarily to showcase that as an African company, our mission is to transform lives by delivering sustainable jobs to drive sustainable development," he said.
Dr Agyepong gave a firm direct assurance regarding the future of local operators.
"To existing collectors, transporters, recyclers and businesses, I give this clear assurance: no local player will be pushed out.
You will be supported to participate, strengthen your capacity and grow," he said.
