Plaquette : Making the Senegal river navigable - IAGF 6ème session

The recommendations proposed On the basis of the different presentations made by the OMVS and field visits organised at Saint-Louis to provide better understanding of the project, the members of IFGR's Rivers Committee were able to provide their experience and knowhow in order to set the project in perspective. These fruitful exchanges were summarised in the form of recommendations on the last day of the session . o Display the project's ambitions It is not only a navigation projed but a genuine global development programme. It must be presented as a new and modern way of harnessing the river. To achieve this, the following was recommended: Make the launching of the project a means of centralising the stakeholders' interests (more sustainable irrigation along the river, controlled pollution, the introduction of new modes of payment, etc.) by calling, if necessary, on international non-governmental organisations (e.g. Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation). Ensure dynamic communication to accompany the project and determine a communication strategy before launching it (what sectors of the public; what resources). This will help explaining the importance of making the river navigable again to the neighbouring populations renew their links with the river. f) Do not reduce the project to its technical dimensions It is necessary to speak about other aspects of the river and basin project rather than only navigation and optimising the channel, in order to get the population to make the river its own. o Collect data before, during and after Bathymetric and meteorological data must be obtained before signing contracts for the works . They must be regularly updated to follow changes and direct decisions. These data could be made public in a form yet to be determined in order to facilitate appropriation. 16