PIWAMP rated on top for wonderful performance

The Participatory Integrated Watershed Management Project (PIWAMP), a project that continues to positively touch the lives of thousands of Gambian households particularly those in rural areas, has been top rated for its wonderful performances, achievements and financial managements.

The project is ranked fourth in the 2011 Fiduciary Ratings of the top ten IFAD supported projects in West and Central Africa.  The IFAD’s Fiduciary Ratings compares the total financial investment of a project against it achievements.  PIWAMP is rated fourth best performing project among 45 IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development - supported projects in West and Central Africa, as end of June 2012. 

This was announced at Financial Management training workshop held in Rome, Italy in August 2012.  

Mr. Momodou Gassama, project coordinator of PIWAMP, said:  “This is the first time PIWAMP is ranked among the top ten best performing projects in West and Central Africa.” 

He said this performance will significantly improve the overall country portfolio rating by IFAD and therefore makes more IFAD resources available to The Gambia.

Mr. Gassama thanked The Gambia government through the Ministry of Agriculture and the other two IFAD supported projects in the country - Rural Finance Project (RFP), and Livestock and Horticulture Development Project (LHDP). 

He said as a result of the enabling environment provided by the government couple with the support and collaboration of its sister IFAD funded projects in the country, PIWAMP was able to achieve “this wonderful result”. He also thanked the entire staff of PIWAMP their “excellent team work”.

Mr. Gassama acknowledged that the high rating is a challenge on them as a project as it will make them continue working harder to maintain their performance in the top ten on annual basis.

In a similar development, the African Development Bank (ADB) has nominated PIWAMP as one of its candidates for the U.S Treasury Department Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) Award for innovation of simple land management techniques aimed at increasing food security. 

The Treasury’s award program recognizes effective projects implemented by multilateral development banks that promote growth and meet the needs of poor and vulnerable populations around the world. 

If successful, this could open up The Gambia to more investments from the USA.

PIWAMP’s mandates include addressing soil erosion and improving soil fertility status in the uplands, prevent flooding, enhance water retention and prevent salt water intrusion in the lowlands, facilitate access to the swamp rice fields and improve inter-village road connections through innovative soil and water management technologies with the aim of significantly increasing food security for the rural poor.

PIWAMP interventions are widely spread and appreciated throughout the country as it protects many communities from flooding, secures their food production through enhanced water retention, improved soil fertility status and facilitates quick access to the swamp rice field and major markets.

PIWAMP is a demand-driven project co-funded by the Government of The Gambia, IFAD, and the African Development Bank (ADB).

The design of PIWAMP was built on the successful experience of the concluded Lowland Agricultural Development Project (LADEP), its achievements, effects, impacts, as well as the strengths and shortcomings.