By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) through Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MoTC) Wednesday donated two Hillux Pick-up vehicles to Tourism Security Unit (TSU) to solve its mobility challenges. The donated vehicle will as well enhance their job performance in the Tourism Development Area (TDA). The two vehicles were presented to the Ministry of Interior who in turn handed them over to the unit commander.
The handing over of the two vehicles to the beneficiary was presided over by the Minister of Tourism and Culture at the TSU office located along Bertil Harding Highway, Senegambia.
Hamat Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture stated that one of the first responsibilities of the government is to provide safety and security to its citizen. And the donation of the two vehicles, he added “will add value to that. Taking into consideration the importance that the President of the Republic of The Gambia attaches to security particularly when it comes to TDA.”
Minister Bah therefore, described the event a significant moment as tourism sector drive toward achieving some of its important goals.
He applauded the management of the GTBoard for their foresight to procure the two vehicles for the TSU in order to solve the mobility challenge that is facing the unit.
The Minister later dilated on the importance of tourism sector. He said that it is “the key sector to the life of the country because the amount generates in tourism gets into the life of everybody living in The Gambia directly or indirectly,” and it is one of the main reasons that the government was able to increase salary with 50 percent.
To protect the industry, the Minister called on everyone to stand firm and protect the industry as it is not the duty of the security forces alone but civilians too. Supporting his statement he said that tourism industry all over the world is facing serious challenges and one of these greatest challenges is security and tourists can only go to a destination that is considered safe to enjoy themselves.
He urged all not just to think of increasing the numbers of arrival only but to also increase revenue for the government to enable the government to make more returns of revenue back to the people.
Ebrima Mballow, Minister of Interior thanked the Gambia Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for this wonderful gesture and for their decision to provide the two brand new vehicles to TSU. He said that his ministry is very much aware of the importance of tourism industry and especially the tourism development area that TSU mostly operates.
He urged the member of TSU to do justice to the two vehicles, which he estimates, the cost over D2.7 million. He also said that by taking good care of them for effective and efficient service delivery will benefit all and sundry.
Minister Mballow advised them to desist from political interference, tribalism and nepotism. It is the only way they can join to move the country forward as service men and women.
Abdoullahi Hydara, Director General of Gambia Tourism Board, Mamour Jobe, the Inspector General of Police both advised the TSU to take great care of the donated facilities so that it will serve them for a very long time.
The handing over ceremony was witnessed by Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Inspector General of Police, Director Generals of GTBoard, NCAC and their board of directors, chairmen and among other dignitaries.