(JollofNews) – Gambia’s Presidency on Thursday announced that the International Organsisation for Migration (IOM) has received funding from the European Union (EU), amounting to €3.9M. This disbursement is expected to increase access to opportunities for migrant returnees who voluntarily decided to put an end to their attempt to reach the European citadel.
“The IOM works with the Ministry of Interior, through a technical working group, to implement the project,” the Presidency spokesperson Amie Bojang-Sissoho told reporters during a presser held at State House in Fajara, some 9 km away from Banjul.
Up to 1,300 kidnapped Gambian migrants returned from Libya’s factionalized war zone areas. This prompted President Adama Barrow government to announce major initiatives geared towards mitigating the
vulnerability of Gambian returnees.
Amie Bojang-Sissoho said the Gambian leader has already been updated on the implementation of the projects as the reintegration of returnees tops the priorities of the Coalition government. The project, she added, target the youths and migrant returnees.
She further disclosed that government and its partners are working on a National Migrants Policy with a view to strenghten returnees management and respond to their immediate needs.
Meanwhile, members of the batch of returnees that arrived in September this year have unanimously added their voice to the calls directed towards some young Gambians who are still eager to chase their dreams in Europe.
“The truth is the ‘back way’ is no more a viable option,” Ousman Njie told JollofNews.
Njie said they embarked into the journey at the risk of losing their life. “We survived Libyan prisons, and it was certain that we would make it,” he said.
Modoulamin Bobb, one of the returnees who spoke to Jollofnews, said they are now pushing for their newly formed association registered.
“I won’t advise anybody to embark on this dangerous journey,”he said. Libya, he said , is far being from a safe place.
The Barrow administration needs a comprehensive re-entry program, that will include but not limited to:
1. Psychological and medical evaluations and treatment of returnees.
2. Shelter
3. Food
4. Transportation
5. Education and training
6. Employment
7. Demystifying “back way” options and
8. Making The Gambia attractive by securing our country and creating opportunities for Gambians.
The EU has made a financial decision to give a fraction of what it will cost them to care for the migrants. This is not a gift, it is not a favor. It is a business decision in their favor. Remember the EU are co conspirators in the economic and dire conditions that lead to this crisis in the first place.
I am hopeful that we will not waste the funds received from the EU. We don’t need useless meetings and travel. The Gambia is full of experts that can design and implement an adequate program. The Presidency just need to be clear about the objective and demand excellence.
God Bless The Gambia.