Workshop on resilient and sustainable infrastructure asset management in The Gambia

On 12-15 June FSDO, in close collaboration with UNCDF and UNOPS, implemented a training and peer learning workshop on sustainable and resilient Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM) in Banjul, The Gambia. During the workshop, 54 local and central government officials from all 8 eight local governments of The Gambia (Area Councils of Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama, Mansakonko, Kerewan, Kuntaur, Janjanbureh and Basse) as well as the ministries and the national local government association participated. The workshop featured two instructors and an expert support team from UN agencies on-site, as well as two international experts delivering live lectures online. The workshop introduced participants to the basic tenets of sustainable infrastructure asset management and included deep dives on priority IAM issues previously identified by The Gambia government, including climate resilient asset management, building Asset Information Management Systems, as well as road, waste and borehole management. All participants designed a first draft of a forward-looking, risk- informed, and data-driven Asset Management Action Plan (AMAP) in support of one of their priority assets. Going forward, the Councils committed to refine their AMAPS, nominate an asset management champion/focal point and have the revised AMAP endorsed by leadership, shared with the public and integrated in to the next operational annual budget. Following those steps, a dedicated national consultant will provide on-the-ground support for the implementation of AMAPs over the next 6 months.