Lawmakers Commend GPF

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Musa Ndow

29 June 2011

National Assembly members in their adjournment debate last Thursday at the National Assembly chambers praised the current leadership of the Gambia Police Force for what many of them described as their efficient and effective service delivery.

Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the Majority leader and NAM for Serekunda East Constituency who moved the motion on the adjournment described security as the basis and bedrock for socio-economic development. He said: “I have myself observed over the period that we are blessed to have a formidable security apparatus that have sleepless night to ensure that we live in peace and stability and to make sure that life and property is protected.”

He also used the platform to talk about the significant improvements registered in the welfare of the police, their families and their residences, saying that in recent times a lot of police posts have been created at strategic locations. Hon Jatta said this has resulted to a drop in criminal cases unlike before. He cited the police posts at Faji Kunda, Latrikunda German and of recent in Abuko, which are all meant to augment the effective service delivery of the police in the maintenance of peace and the protection of people and their properties.

Police visibility

The Majority leader maintained that the police are very visible now. He continued: “They are everywhere, at the traffic, checkpoints and at almost every strategic point. I am happy to say this because it is their responsibility to protect life and property, which they are doing effectively now. I urge the members to take security issues seriously. And I am optimistic that the Assembly would not hesitate to help them (police) to achieve their objectives with a view to ensuring our own safety. I came to understand that some of the innovative projects are as a result of the current leadership of the police, which should be emulated.

Most of the police posts are being built from the funds collected from the police themselves to complement the efforts of the government. Hardly now you see police standing on the highway begging for lift. Police buses are plying from as far as Siffo in Kombo South and other various destinations taking and bringing back the police like the other security personnel. That has given them that comfort and convenience to be able to work effectively.”

Hon. Jatta said this will not only complement government’s efforts in the provision of such effective services, but also foster a stronger confidence between the people and the police. “Therefore I think it worth commending them and by extension all other security services for their selfless services rendered to ensure continuous peace and stability in the country,” he added. The Majority leader also stated the need to unify the police uniform, pointing out that this is recorded as a major challenge affecting the police in the execution of their duties.

Regional police headquarters

Hon. Jatta described the plans to build regional police headquarters as a move in the right direction, saying that this would reduce delays in transferring cases from the region to the headquarters. He added that this will help police deal with issues at the regional level. He also informed the house that the police have constructed and renovated about 18 police stations across the country.

“All these are geared towards reduction in renting properties which cost the government lots of money and it is also aimed at reducing police rent to 80%. There are lots of construction sites by the police and they are also trying to ensure they build the capacities of their personnel, especially in the area of finger printing, ballistics, handwriting and otology among other things. I think we are all aware of the visibility and the number of police posts around the country, so far in the absence of security whatever socio-economic development you have is fragile. To ensure that they are sustained and to have a better security to protect the lives and properties of people, NAMs would not be found wanting and we would be there to support them,” Hon. Jatta assured.

Hon. Adma Cham, NAM for Kombo North who seconded the motion on the debate described peace as expensive and something that should not be compromised. “With all the innovative ideas and programmes and projects in place by the head of the police and other security agencies, the onus is on the general citizenry to make sure that we collaborate and do whatever we can to assist the police with a view to making their work both effective and positive on our lives, because when we are at sleep they are on the street. If we don’t give them the assistance and the collaboration from the general public, they would not sleep and we would also not sleep,” he stated.

Hon. Cham used the platform to commend the government for constructing the Westfield-Sukuta Highway. He however, warned drivers to observe the rules of the marks on that road to minimise accidents. “I therefore urge the law enforcing agency to make sure that the 20km/h is respected and implemented to the letter,” he added. Hon. Momodou M5 Jallow, member for Upper Fulladu West and Hon. Foday Jallow, NAM for Niamina East among others also hailed the police leadership, as well as stressing the importance of security.

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