The Global Initiative

The Global Initiative for West and Central Africa (GI WACAF) is a partnership between the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) to enhance the capacity of countries to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills.

The GI-WACAF project

This is a four year program jointly funded by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)eight Oil Companies members (BP, Chevron, ENI, ExxonMobil, Marathon, PERENCO, Shell and Total) through the International Petroleum Environment Conservation Association (IPIECA).

Mission

To strengthen the national oil spill response capability in 21 West and Central Africa through the establishment of local partnership between the oil industries and the national authorities in charge of oil spill preparedness and response at national level.

Scope of GI WACAF

The project area covers 21 West and Central African countries (See maps). The scope is to organise workshops, training, seminars and deployment exercises with national authorities in charge of oil spill response, in partnership with local business units.

Objectives

The GI WACAF is based on an effective management system established six goals of preparedness and key performance indicators to enhance the capacity of countries to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills. These goals cover the requirements of the OPRC 90 convention:

• Goal 1: Legislation: Promote the ratification of the relevant international Convention
• Goal 2: Contingency plan: Have contingency plan for all the countries of the region
• Goal 3: Designation of authority: Get clarity in roles and responsibilities for oil spill response
• Goal 4: Regional agreement: promote exchange and mutual assistance for oil spill response
• Goal 5: Training: Ensure that training and exercise are developed in each countries on a regular basis
• Goal 6: National capabilities: support countries in developing their own national response system