Last Month when Yusupha Jow forwarded the newly democratic Government of Guinea's Government efforts to single go ahead in signing contract Republic of China for building hydro electric project in Kaleta] Karim.

The La-Guinea government and China Electricity Corp entered into contract to construct a dam at Kaleta according to the UN-conducted feasibility study and within the context of OMVG. The member states of the Gambia River basin conducted meetings and workshops on the Kaleta Dam project prior to La-Guinea engaging the Chinese construction firm. The idea is that the electricity so generated would benefit La-Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, and Gambia. As you have mentioned, in addition to Kaleta, the UN study proposed a dam at Sambagalou also, but that does not fall in the territory of La-Guinea. It is yet to be realized by those who have jurisdiction over Sambagalou. Over the years, there have been promises made but Senegal and Gambia have been busy siphoning off their nations' treasuries or building white elephant statues and homes in the USA rather than marshalling the requisite funds for the construction of dams. La-Guinea is remediating her critical shortage of energy that is at the root of national decrepitude. La-Guinea will build Kaleta with the assistance of the government of China, a government who is enormously experienced in dam construction. Further, China has pledged assistance to La-Guinea in the area of hydro-electricity.

[one could imagine that there is a political tension within OMVG member states.] Karim.

I could not imagine that. The OMVG has been, for decades, yearning for the construction of dams at Kaleta and Sambagalou. Kaleta will finally be realized. With the assistance of China to La-Guinea. One down. Two to go.

[It is not a surprise with us hydro-politics and in such an intense geo-political environment with crisis of democracy and development, accusation and counter accusation will take a domino effect.] Karim.

The construction of the Kaleta dam and the idea of OMVG are good for democracy in the subregion. The idea of OMVG is that because rivers run through several nations, a structure ought to be set up to manage and coordinate development and remediation projects within a River Basin concept.

[and Guinea have now accuse both Senegal and Gambia instabilise its Government.] Karim.

President Alpha Conde' has accused both governments of Senegal and Gambia of being complicit in the assassination attempt in July on the life of President Conde'. The investigations into the matter (several persons were arrested and investigated) yielded information for that conclusion. One of the accused sought refuge in Senegal before a bench warrant could be issued. The Kaleta dam will be constructed to provide much-needed energy for La-Guinea, Senegal, Bissau, and Gambia. Within the OMVG framework.

[Earlier on they have by-pass African development bank recent iniative of a regional hydro-power development.] Karim.

The African Development Bank is a private financial institution whose shareholders include many governments who are not part of OMVG. A bank is in the business of making loans for projects at interest. The ADB is only one of such banks around the world and Africa. Accepting or declining an ADB loan/partnership proposal relies mainly on the terms of ADB's proposal. ADB is a private entity. They must compete for clients and customers like all other such banks.

[They can go on and do a alone having understand the hydrological flow of Gambia River Basin.] Karim.

The Gambia River originates around Labe in La-Guinea. It flows through southern Senegal's Niokolokoba Forest with tributaries going East and West before entering Gambia at Koina. The Gambia RIver basin comprises La-Guinea, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, and Gambia. La-Guinea, with the assistance of China, and possibly some financing from BAD(ADB), BID(Islamic Bank for Development) or other, will construct a dam at Kaleta for irrigation and energy production. Major projects around the world are funded through multiple funding mechanisms and regimes as the partners desire. The energy so produced will benefit La-Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea Bissau. Whether Alpha Conde' is president of La-Guinea or not, Kaleta dam should and will be constructed. Sambagalou should and hopefully will be constructed soon also. The Sambagalou dam, when constructed, will benefit Senegal, La-Guinea, Gambia, and Bissau, all member-states of the OMVG. You can say that the OMVG is the political arm of The Gambia River Basin. To engender common implication and consideration in the hydrology of the basin. The language "La-Guinea is going it alone" is unhealthy and is precisely the kind of minstrelwork that inures conflict.

[But its impact to countries will be costly to their economy in the area of flowing, resettlement, water-borne diseases and ecological lost which will not be mitigation] Karim.

When a dam is constructed anywhere in the world, there is a feasibility study, a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, a mitigation plan, a resettlement plan for the affected communities. Among the world's dam-builders, China and the Netherlands are by far the most efficient and experienced. If a dam is to be built, I can go to sleep at night when one of these two nations is doing the construction. The UN and WHO are also accompanying La-Guinea and consideration for ecological impairment, water-borne diseases, and displacement were critical considerations in their studies.

[because it is not a jointed project.] Karim.

Jointed or not, the Kaleta dam project will have opportunity cost, flow rate management, resettlement, and ecological impact to be mitigated. The joints can continue to dodoline their heads and play dead as Albert Camus is wont to quip. Kaleta dam will be built by La-Guinea. Sambagalou dam will be built by Senegal. Hopefully sooner rather than later. It will have been a great day in the Gambia River Basin - OMVG.

[It is about time to know that political ecological issues is folding issues in our region.] Karim.

Yes. Eco-politics, Terra-politics, Econo-politics, Sani-politics, are all areas where humans manage their environment. The politics of Environment.

[Finally I want to thank my Brother Yusupha Jow deeply with knowledge of Environment] Karim.

I join you in thanking our brother Yus for sharing his ideas and opinions on Alpha Conde, President of La-Guinea. Although I have not read Yus' notes, I am confident they merit consideration.

[and earlier before the current tension. Guinea wanted to develop its energy and mining sector and for three decades] Karim.

La-Guinea has not had a sustainable regime governing its mining sector for some 5 decades. President Alpha Conde' commissioned a comprehensive regime of Minerals and mining law to govern its extensive mining industry. The Minerals and Mining Codes has been reviewed and passed into law by the La-Guinea CNT. La-Guinea has never had adequate electricity for equally as long. Former governments of La-Guinea have not invested adequately in energy. It was a hodge-podge of Mineral and mining concerns building power plants as part of the deal for their concessions. Because of the dictatorial nature of their earlier governments, La-Guinea has not benefitted from the goodwill of many countries and mal-governance mismanaged funds from mining. NOW, and with the dawn of democracy in La-Guinea, and through the partnerships that President Alpha Conde is cultivating for La-Guinea, all nations want to be part of a La-Guinea success story. China thinks it can do the most good in assisting La-Guinea in the Energy sector, an area where it has enormous experience and proficiency. China is one of the nations standing by La-Guinea's side since independence. Germany, Russia, Mali, Norway, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Japan, South Africa, Cuba, and Morocco being the others, through 5 decades of trial and agony. France, the US, Niger, Benin, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Algeria, Cuba Thailand, Bangladesh, and all other nations desire to expand their partnerships with La-Guinea. Bravo La-Guinea. Hail to Alpha Conde', First democratically elected president of La-Guinea.

[OMVG have been ineffective in that dynamic] Karim.

OMVG is an organization of nations of The Gambia River Basin. It is a Hydo-fraternal body which aims to coordinate matter affecting the River basin and its hydrology. It is not a legislative body. its domain is limited and does not cover crimes of member governments.

[and any move beyond will be seems as a threat from other member states.] Karim.

The attempted assassination of a President of a sovereign nation is an act of destabilization. Sober governments will not aid and abet such crime. Senegal and Mauritania had battled it out on the OMVS. Not on complots et attentats.

[Please below my article on Yesterday's edition of The Daily News and link is below:- 
http://dailynews.gm/africa/gambia/article/hydro-politics-climate-change-and-thematic-challenges-for-hydro-power-development-of-the-gambia-rive] Karim.

Yes. I have read your article Karim. I appreciate its precautionary value. It will be unwise and unhealthy to try to link allegations of complicity by individuals in international crime to the construction of Kaleta dam within the OMVG framework. I agree with you that the OMVG is not capable on its own to manage The Gambia River Basin. However, it is valuable to have such a body for communion in matters relating to basin hydrology and when the capacity of the organization equals the tasks it considers, it should justify its constitution.

Haruna.