A day's review on the draft water sector reform document was yesterday convened at the Baobab Hotel in Kololi.

In his opening remarks, Amadou Saine, the deputy permanent secretary, Department of State for Water Resources said The Gambia has made bold steps towards achieving the target goals of the MDG including water. He thanked the participants in formulating the IWRM and hoped that the review meeting would offer opportunity to further scrutinise the document.

For her part, the deputy director, Department of Water Resources, Amie Jarra, underscored the significance of water in any given life. She said that water is indispensable ingredient of every living being. "It is on this grounds that the Department of State for Water Resources will leave no stone unturned, in ensuring that robust institutional and legislative frameworks are put in place for better consumption and utilisation of water within the context of integrated water resource management," she said.

About her department's achievements in good water accessibility and its prospects, Jarra disclosed that efforts will be further enhanced by her department for the realisation of Vision 2020 goals within the shortest possible time. Regarding water scarcity in The Gambia, she admitted that there is need for inter-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach to the water resource management, to ensure coordinated development and management resources in a sustainable manner.

Highlighting the objectives of the water reform prospect, Jarra pointed out that it is aimed at increasing the efficiency, equity and sustainability of water use through an integrated form of water resource management. She added that the review of a vast scope of policies and laws is to ensure and provide better sector coordination, clarity of roles, date management and sharing amongst stakeholders for effective planning.