IMO-IPIECA's Global Initiative Managing and Implementing a Regional Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Programme for Central & West Africa (GI WACAF)

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Abstract The GI WACAF programme is jointly led and funded by the IMO and a number of IPIECA members. Its purpose is to improve oil spill preparedness and response capability across 21 coastal States of West and Central Africa. Launched in 2006, this programme takes earlier IMO/IPIECA work forward in a newly focused, structured and sustained manner to progress tangible change. The programme faces many challenges with rapidly increasing oil activities in the region and a generally low level of current preparedness; set against improvements necessary to suit individual country circumstances and the need to be consistent and coordinated across the entire region. Reference is made in this Paper to the OPRC Convention 1990, IMO's strategy for oil spill preparedness and response. Drawing these together, the six Key Elements of Preparedness, which underpin the GI-WACAF programme, are summarised. The GI-WACAF programme has a Project Coordinator, working under the guidance of the IMO and IPIECA's funding members. An action plan was developed after consultation with government and oil industry representatives from the countries in the region, taking the six Elements of Preparedness and translating them into a workable plan for action and improvement. This Paper describes the programme management system and the key features critical to make tangible progress. These include Clarity of Purpose; Commitment from Key Stakeholders; a gap analysis on the Elements of Preparedness and measurable objectives; a Network of "Implementers" and "Influencers" at different levels of government and industry, follow-up and monitoring of results and achievement; and a Biennial Review to ensure process improvement and action planning. Through this refocused and business-like approach, tangible success is being achieved, as will be illustrated in the Paper. Every country and region has unique circumstances but the underlying principles of oil spill preparedness and response are common. This Paper has relevance for any organisation involved in change/improvement processes, both in setting programme objectives and in the essential programme management and implementation.