Report reaching this medium has indicated that the Minister of Interior – Yankuba JN Sonko and delegation are currently in Turkey to explore and exploit business opportunities at Volkan Fire Fighting Vehicles Assembling Company ahead of OIC Summit in The Gambia.
According to the ministry, the purpose of their visit is to engage the named company as well as explore and exploit business opportunities in this specialized area, taking cognizance of the GFRS needs and in consonance with our public procurement guidelines.
The Ministry said the Minister and Chief Fire Officer of the Gambia Fire and Rescue Services Visited Volkan Fire Fighting Vehicles Assembling Company in Izmir, Turkey.
“Providing the equipment needs of The Gambia Fire and Rescue Services (GFRS) is critical part of public safety and this is also necessary in preparation towards the hosting of the OIC Summit in The Gambia in 2022.
“Towards this end, the Honourable Minister of Interior Mr. Yankuba JN Sonko accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr. Abdoulie TB Jarra; Permanent Secretary, Office of the President, Mr. Habib TB Jarra; the Chief Fire Officer of the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service, Mr. Sang Colley Ndow and Senior Divisional Fire Officer, Mr. Amat Janha, has on Monday 4th of April, 2022 paid an official visit to VOLKAN Firefighting Vehicles and Equipment Company in Izmir, Turkey,” the Ministry stated.
It continued that they were received by the Board Chairman of VOLKAN Fire Fighting Vehicles and Equipment Company, Mr. Isa Tecim and his staff. Mr. Tecim, accompanied by the Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia, visited the Ministry and GFRS in early March 2022, inviting the delegation to inspect his Company’s Firefighting Vehicle Assembling factory in Izmir, Turkey.
“It is important to note that, this is the first time in the history of the GFRS for the Government of The Gambia to budget funds for the purchase of a Fire fighting Vehicle. Besides those inherited from the British Colonial administration, all the fire fighting Vehicles in the country are donated by the England based Avon Fire and Rescue Services. Plans are also being made to increase the GFRS fleet through future Government budgetary allocations as well as from external partners and through other bilateral cooperation,” the Ministry added.