(JollofNews) – President Adama Barrow of the Gambia has used his interview with your JollofNews to reiterate his government’s intentions to tighten security at the country’s borders and ports.Mr Barrow said the recent security lapse at the Banjul International Airport that allowed close aides of former President Yahya Jammeh to enter into the country unnoticed is not being taken lightly and necessary measures have been put up to prevent a similar incident from happening.
“It was a security failure.That is why we are reacting to what has happened,” the president told JollofNews Abdoulie John at State House, Banjul.
Last weekend, Gambians woke up to the alarming news that two wanted top military officers who accompanied President Jammeh to Equatorial Guinea last January, have managed to pass through airport security screening and reached their respective home before being arrested.
They are currently detained at the Yundum Barracks where they are said to be helping the authorities with their investigations.
The embarrassment has led to the suspension and transfer of a number of immigration officers who were posted at the airport.
The Gambian leader said since Wednesday all top security officers at the airport have been interdicted, and an investigation has been launched to shed light on what many observers have described as a major security breach.
“We admit that this was a failure on the part of the security officers posted there. We can always learn from our mistakes. We are working very hard to make sure that this will never happen again,” he added.
Asked whether his government is going to mount an indictment against the detained military officers, Mr Barrow said: “Let’s wait for the inquiry to give direction for this matter.”
The tiny West African nation is recovering from two decades of dictatorship by the Jammeh regime, during which the country’s security apparatus was used as a tool of oppression. The new government continues to face huge security challenges as a Whatsapp group of 12 military officers was recently uncovered three months back, and those involved are currently undergoing trial before a martial court.
The situation in Southern Senegal where 14 people were recently murdered by armed men believed to be linked with Movement of Democratic Forces in Casamance (MFDC) continue to raise serious security concerns in the Gambia.
Media reports suggest, that the dramatic incident has to do with illegal timber sale from Senegal to the Gambia, causing the destruction of the forest cover in Casamance.
Global Forest Watch reveals that out of Casamance 30,000 hectares of forest, more than 1 million trees have been wiped out a decade ago, posing a real threat to people livelihood. The Gambia’s 4,000 hectares of forest face risk of being destroyed by illegal loggers looting the forest in the sub-region.
Chinese companies established in the country have been exporting timbers to China over these past years as ex-Gambian leader was deeply involved in this mercantile activity.
While Gambia has already condemned the assassination of innocent civilians, President Barrow said his government has put a halt to illegal logging , adding that officers are posted permanently in all landing areas.
He said the involvement of former President in the sale of timber from neighbouring Casamance (Senegal) has complicated the issue as people still think it is normal to take profit from illegal trade.
The deadly poisonous kanilai yaya Devil, for some 22 blood-drenched years, has its tentacles infectiously inserted into any & every (all) strata in aspects of the Innocent Community & communities by extensions; in gruesome devour & sucking them dry in its deadly-Locust mode of feeding tracks….
Government enterprises & people’s individually & privately owned properties amongst the many preys; such as the Abuko livestock marketing board, GPTC transport, etc etc, sandmining, over-fishing, illegal timber exploitations & wanton destruction of the forest cover, flora & fauna, & resultant environmental distractions & subsequent desertification; which in turn affect the general ecology, rainfall & agriculture in direct links to the (negative) economic development (/contraction/retardation); with regards to life of the people & their general progression overall…
How can such a Predatory Maggot be defended to have brought anything developmental ever, in any sense…?
Rectification please – environmental destruction –
Thanks….
The Security of a President even that of the president of the Gambia, Adama Barrow, is the Concern and Responsibility of the Gambia and Specifically the Ministry of the Interior. In the event that the Designated Ministry is deemed not Ready or in a Position to CarryOut its Duty and Responsibility, the normal Cause of Action is through Bi-lateral and Multi-lateral Security Arrangements. Not through a Private Security Outfit that has Not being Vetted by a Gambian National Security Apparatus. Let us not be
Blind folded by Self-interest and Narrow Mindedness in Matters of National Interest. The Gambian Presidency and President Barrow’s Security is not a “For Profit” Enterprise. How can Gambians be sure that these guys are Loyal to the Gambia or to Adama Barrow’s Regime? It seems to be rather Unprecedented, Unpatriotic and Disloyal to the Gambians and Gambia. Does the “New Gambia” mean a total rejection of the Gambian Security Apparatus and Forces in Favor of an
Unlegislated, Unvettedd, and Unconstitutionally Mandated Security Apparatus for the Gambian President? What about the Gambian Public’s Security and Safety? Is the Gambian Public going to “Benefit” from the same “For Profit” Security Enterprise of Senegalse Businessmen and Women? At what cost to whom and for how long? What are the Pitfalls and Dangers inherent in Contracting out a Countries’ Security and Safety to an Unvetted and Untested “Fly-by- Night” Security Enterprise. The Gambian Government and Presidency under Adama Barrow and Ousainou Darbo can and must do better. Gambia is More than the Sum Total of One Individual, Ethnic Group or Region.