National Assembly Chambers
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Members of the National Assembly, on Monday, referred the Early Warning and Response Mechanism Bill, 2024, and the National Population Bill, 2024, to the National Assembly Business Committee for further consideration.
His Excellency, Vice President of The Gambia, Muhammed BS Jallow, introduced the bills, sparking discussions among lawmakers on their merits and principles.
Presenting the motion for the second reading of the bills, VP Jallow explained that, in line with the 1999 Protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government adopted a strategic framework at its 45th Ordinary Summit. This framework aims to establish the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism as an observation and monitoring system for conflict prevention and decision-making across member states.
He noted that an assessment by the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate identified gaps in early warning and response coordination in member states, including The Gambia.
“This Bill seeks to enhance Governments capacity to predict and respond to a broad spectrum of events spanning from violent conflicts to crises such as famine, refugee crises terrorism disease outbreaks, transnational organised crimes and other threats impacting human security through a centralized and coordinating agency, it also underscores Government’s commitment in ensuring human security,” VP Jallow emphasized.
Regarding the National Population Bill, 2024, VP Jallow informed the lawmakers that the bill aims to provide legislative authority for population and development-related issues in The Gambia. It seeks to secure the rights of everyone, leaving no one behind, guide the implementation of population programs, and secure dedicated financing for population-related issues.
“As part of the process of defining its practical application, the Bill makes provisions for the continuance in existence of the National Population Secretariat to formulate, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate population programs,” he explained.
VP Jallow emphasized that the bill is a comprehensive framework addressing population-related issues, promoting data-driven decision-making, and ensuring that demographic factors are considered in various aspects of national development in The Gambia. It also incorporates and aligns emerging issues with the current and future realities of The Gambia.
The members who debated the general merits and principles of the two bills discussed their overall benefits and rules. While highlighting their significance, they also promised the VP their full support for the bills’ execution.