Multinational - Project for the Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in West Africa - Gambia component

The Project for Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in West Africa (IMIAW) is in line with the Bank’s Vision, which aims to reduce poverty. The project will assist seven countries that are members in ECOWAS and Mauritania as all are sharing the same common weed problem in common water bodies. It has three components: A) Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Plants; B) Capacity Building and C) Project Coordination Unit. Its design is based on a regional approach. Indeed, the invasion of water bodies by aquatic weeds has significantly affected the quantity and the quality of the water resources in West Africa. As most of these waters are shared by more than one country, only a coordinated effort will ensure sustainable and cost effective control of the weeds. The two studies that were prepared in 1995 and 2002 financed by ADB and FAO respectively emphasized the interlinking nature of the problem. Further, past experience in weed control showed that commonly used methods of control when used in isolation (separately) are marginally effective.