Security is the cornerstone for any development Says Veep, as she visits Basse 2nd Infantry Battalion

The vice president and minister of Women Affairs has said that security is the cornerstone for any development to take place.

Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, who is also the chairperson of the National Security Council made this remark Friday during a visit to the Basse 2nd Infantry Battalion as part of her nationwide tour of security installations. Upon arrival at the battalion, the VP inspected a guard of honour before being taken on a conducted tour of the barracks.

She reminded the security personnel of their important role as far as the maintenance of peace and security is concerned, noting that no meaningful development can take place in the absence of peace. She urged them to continue being loyal to the leadership, who is very willing to give them the best. She pointed out that there are lots of improvements in the country’s security sector in terms of infrastructure, incentives, and promotions, and hailed the president who is also the commander- in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) for making all thèse possible.

VP Njie-Saidy also commended the chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of GAF for his quality leadership and urged the soldiers to respect the chain of command. She urged the  security personnel to understand their role among which is to provide a safe environment for the civilians and not otherwise, thereby calling for a stronger military-civilian relationship.

She used the meeting to remind the officers of the upcoming election, urging them to start preparing themselves as they have a lot of work to do. She commended Ebrima Cham, the URR Police commissioner for the improvements in the region, saying “I wish we have many of his type in the security [forces]”. She also thanked Lt. Kalipha Y. Jammeh, the camp commander of the Basse 2nd Infantry Battalion for the warm welcome accorded to her and delegation.

Speaking earlier, Lt. Kalipha Y. Jammeh said it was a great opportunity for the security personnel on the ground to have face-to-face discussion with the vice president and the security chiefs. He declared that soldiers at the camp are very proud of the CDS and the president for uplifting the status’ of the country’s military, and went on to assure that they will continue to be loyal to the president. Lt Jammeh also commended the president for giving them tractors, and disclosed that they have four hectares to farm on. He finally informed VP that the military-civil relationship is cordial and expressed hope that it will continue.

For his part, Lt. General Masanneh Kinteh, the CDS of GAF thanked the soldiers at the barracks for the warm welcome, while urging them not to disappoint the president, who he said has done a lot for the security personnel of this country to enable them execute their duties as expected. The CDS assured the soldiers that transport constraints at the barracks would be addressed, and urged them to be patient. He also challenged them to take good care of the facilities at the barracks, saying the Upper River Region (URR) is a security-friendly region. He further told the soldiers to maintain the existing cordial military-civilian relationship.

On his part, Ousman Sonko, the minister of Interior also thanked the men and women at the barracks for the good work they are doing, while urging them to keep up the momentum. He equally told the security personnel to cherish and take good care of what is being provided for them. He stressed that the Gambian leader does not compromise with the welfare of the security personnel, thus urging them to be loyal to him [the président].

Alhaji Omar Khan, the governor of URR applauded Lt. Jammeh and his troops for the good work they are doing in the region, while appealing to the CDS to help provide another vehicle for the barracks in order to ease the movement of the soldiers. He added that there are presently only two vehicles at the barracks. Buba Sagnia, the director general of the Gambia Immigration Department ; Kalilu Njie, deputy director general of NDEA; Bakary Sanyang, commissioner general of GRA; and Commodore Madani Sengore, chief of Naval Staff all expressed similar sentiments.

Visit to Kaba Kama-Basse Bridge, others
In another development, the vice president and delegation Friday also visited the Kaba Kama-Basse Bridge which is currently under construction. At the site, VP Njie-Saidy expressed delight with the pace of work and urged the contractor to fast-track the work as the rainy season has already began. The vice president also visited Demba Kunda Village, where last year’s rains caused serious destruction. The villagers appealed to government through the VP to help in addressing the problem.

The VP and entourage later proceeded to Gambissara Village to pay homage to the great marabout who prayed for the peace and security of the country and the government of The Gambia, before heading for the Lower River region.