KNOW YOUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS With Muhammed Sailu Bah Welcome to another edition of know your public institutions which seeks to create awareness on the nature and work of public institutions in the Gambia. This edition is a continuation of an exclusive interview with the National Disaster Management Agency Coordinator For Banjul Hudul E.N. Colley on the Function of the National Disaster Management agency. Foroyaa: Can you tell our readers about the National Disaster Council? Banjul Disaster Coordinator: The National Disaster Council is the Governing Body of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). The Council comprises the following members; a. The President as the Chairperson; b. It also comprises all Ministries, c. The executive Director, of the NDMA, d. The Chief Executive of any statutory body established to deal with matters relating to air or maritime search and rescue operations; e. One representative of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and one representative of the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations. Foroyaa: What are the functions of the National Disaster Council? Banjul Disaster Coordinator: The Functions of the Councils are to: a. Ensure the implementation of the provision of the NDMA Act; b. Advise the government on all matters relating to disaster preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery, and the preparation and formulation of a National Disaster Plan, including the Coordination of activities of Government and non-government agencies; c. Ensure that the strategies and policies it develops are implemented by the agency, other Government agency and non-government agencies; d. Advise the president on the need of aid to counter the effects of disaster and any agreement proposed to be entered into by the government in relation to aid; e. In the care of a particular disaster, advise the president on the need to declare a state of public emergency; f. With the approval of the Inspector General of Police and Chief of Defense staff, determine the number of members of the Gambia police force and the Armed Forces, respectively to be deployed in the prevention of, preparation for, response to, Mitigation of, and recovery from a particular disaster and ; g. Make available resources to the Regional Disaster Coordinators for the Purposes of responding promptly and effectively to any threatening disaster situation or disaster in the regions, including measures for: Providing emergency communication in a vulnerable or affected area; transporting personnel and relief goods to and from the affected area; providing evacuation, rescue, temporary shelter or other immediate relief; setting up temporary bridges, jetties and landing places and providing drinking water, essential provisions, healthcare, and services in an affected area. h. The Chairperson of the council may in the case of an emergency, exercise all or any of the powers of the council but the exercise of those powers is subject to subsequent ratification by the Council. Foroyaa: Do you have any Advisory Board? Banjul Disaster Coordinator: Yes we do? Foroyaa: Tell us more about the Advisory Board? Banjul Disaster Coordinator: According to the NDMA Act, the council shall set up an advisory body to be known as the National Technical Advisory Group, consisting of experts in various fields who can assist in disaster management at the National, Regional, District or village levels, to make recommendations on different aspects of Disaster Management. Foroyaa: What are the Functions of the Advisory Board? Banjul Disaster Coordinator: The National Technical Advisory Board is to provide advice to the council on disaster management. And the Council shall appoint the chairperson of the National Technical Advisory Group. To be continued.]]>
