The Republic of The Gambia, through NAWEC and the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, discloses the final Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) for the World Bank–financed Regional Electricity Access and Generation Support Project.
In fulfilment of its transparency and accountability obligations under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) today publishes the final Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) for the WA-REMP MPA Phase 2: Regional Electricity Access and Generation Support Project (P515184).
The ESCP is a legally binding component of the financing agreement between the Republic of The Gambia and the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s financing arm. It sets out the material measures, actions, timelines, and institutional responsibilities that the Government of The Gambia — through NAWEC’s Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines (MOPEM) — must carry out to ensure the project is implemented in accordance with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs).
The disclosure of this document reflects NAWEC’s commitment to open governance and its responsibility to inform the public, project-affected communities, civil society, and other stakeholders of the environmental and social safeguards governing this significant national and regional energy investment.
“The Republic of The Gambia shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards and this Environmental and Social Commitment Plan, in a manner acceptable to the Association.”
What the ESCP Covers
The ESCP is structured around the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards and sets out binding commitments across seven key thematic areas, each with defined timeframes and the PIU identified as the responsible entity for implementation.
Institutional Arrangements
The ESCP designates NAWEC’s Project Implementation Unit (PIU), operating under the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, as the primary responsible entity for implementing all environmental and social commitments under the project. The PIU is required to maintain dedicated, full-time Environmental and Social Specialists exclusively assigned to the WA-REMP Gambia project throughout its implementation period.
The PIU will work in close collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Department of Forestry, the Labor Department, and the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), formalised through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that must be in place prior to project effectiveness.
Key Transparency and Accountability Commitments
- Quarterly Environmental and Social performance reports submitted to the World Bank, commencing three months after the project’s Effective Date
- Incident and accident notifications to the World Bank within 48 hours, with a Corrective Action Plan submitted within 10 days
- A functioning, confidential grievance mechanism for project workers and affected communities, including SEA/SH reporting pathways
- Full public disclosure of all E&S instruments — ESIAs, ESMPs, SEP, Resettlement Plans — prior to project implementation
- Regular capacity-building for the PIU, implementing entities, NAWEC staff, and contractors on World Bank E&S standards and safeguard requirements
About the WA-REMP Project
The West Africa Regional Energy and Minerals Programme (WA-REMP) is a Multi-Phase Programmatic (MPA) initiative financed by the World Bank’s International Development Association. Phase 2 of the programme in The Gambia — the Regional Electricity Access and Generation Support Project (P515184) — focuses on expanding electricity access, improving generation capacity, and strengthening the operational and institutional resilience of NAWEC as the country’s national utility.
The project represents a significant investment in The Gambia’s energy future and underscores the Government’s commitment to ensuring that this development is delivered responsibly, with full regard for the environmental rights and social wellbeing of all communities involved.
NAWEC remains committed to the highest standards of environmental and social governance in all its projects, and to keeping the public and all stakeholders fully informed at every stage of implementation.