Today Newspaper - Online Edition - The Gambia's Quality Newspaper: Basse gets biometric ID card office

Basse gets biometric ID card office
================================================================================
ABDULRAHMAN BANGURA on 08 March, 2010 07:52:00
 
The Gambia Immigration Department on Saturday inaugurated another Biometric
Identification System (GAMBIS) office in Basse, Upper River Region.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Buba Sagnia, director general of the Immigration
Department underscored the importance his department and the ministry of
Interior attach to the biometric project. He said the department is committed to
ensuring that all eligible Gambians procure the necessary national documents
like the ID card, driver’s licence ans passport without hindrance. This, he
said, has informed the decentralization of outlets so that people in far-off
places could also have the opportunity to obtain these documents.
The Immigration boss said that all regional centres would be provided with
similar facilities once feasibility studies are duly completed and necessary
infrastructures are put in place. He informed that there are already mobile
teams who register and issue cards to those who could not make it to the issuing
centres.
He then used the occasion to warn foreigners to desist from obtaining Gambian
national documents. He said this is a serious crime and anybody involved in this
would be prosecuted and handed the necessary penalty. While he noted that Basse
is a major entry point for migrants, Mr. Sagnia called on the people of the area
to be vigilant and help in the safeguard of the country’s national documents.
He also called on the immigration staff to be professional in their jobs. He
said as they have been well trained, they should live up to expectations and
develop zero tolerance for corruption and all forms of misconduct. “The future
must be built today and that is why as officers, you should ensure a developed
and peaceful Gambia for the up-coming generations,” he said.
In his remarks, the Interior minister, Hon. Ousman Sonko advised chiefs to
avoid giving birth certificates to non-Gambians. He said the biometric project
is one of the president’s millennium initiatives to help people to have access
to national ID cards, driving license and passport as citizens.
The occasion was attended by the governor of URR, permanent secretary, Ministry
of Interior, service chiefs, district chiefs, Alkalos, chiefs, Basse fire
officers, religious leaders, officers, head teachers, chairman Basse Area
Council, CSOs in Basse.
The event rounded up with the cutting of the green ribbon by the Interior
minister who led a tour of the facilities for the new GAMBIS office.
The immigration parade and traditional drums and kora cultural dances marked
the day.