By Nelson Manneh
The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on Thursday 29th February 2024 laid the foundation stone for the construction of three Immigration Border Posts in Kerr Ali, Amdanlai and Giboro.
The activity which falls under the project: “Enhancing border management capacities of the government of the Gambia to promote peace, stability and security”, is funded by the Government and people of Japan, and implemented by IOM in partnership with GID. The objective of the project is to enhance the operational systems, human resources, administrative and technical capacities of border management authorities and to facilitate an orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people; mitigate security threats and transnational organized crime and irregular migration, and to positively promote peace, stability and security along important transport corridors.
Emmanuel Murwisi, IOM-The Gambia’s Chief of Mission, said the new border posts and donated vehicles will facilitate safe and orderly migration, and mitigate security threats and cross-border organized crimes; promote health and humanitarian border management as well as contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
On his part, Mr. IZAWA OSAMU, the Japanese Ambassador to the Gambia said the project is the outcome of an exchange of notes between the Government of Japan and the IOM mission to the Gambia, signed in December 2022.
“Two million and nineteen thousand US dollars (US$2,019,000) was allocated to the IOM to implement the project of enhancing border management capacities of the Government of the Gambia, in order to promote peace, stability and security jointly, with the Gambia Immigration Department,” he said.
Ambassador Osamu said Japan’s support to the Gambia for the security sector aims to strengthen its capacity to address all types of threats critical in maintaining peace and stability of countries.
“Peace and stability are the cornerstones of any economic and social development in Africa. That is why Japan has traditionally emphasized this area as one of the three pillars of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD),” he said.
He said the facilities and equipment will contribute to safe and orderly migration, mitigate security threats and cross-border management as well as promote health and humanitarian border management as well as contribute to socio-economic development.
