By Adama Makasuba
The Gambia government is set to sign a counter terrorism and serious crimes accord with United Nations that will include the crossing of national borders through the provision of API/PNR data control border and law enforcement agencies in the country.
The development was made as Minister of Interior, Seyaka Sonko as he presided over the Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) National Steering Committee meeting, held at the Ministry’s complex in Kotu.
He encouraged members of the committee to be devoted to their tasks, saying issues of terrorism are critical to national security and affirmed government’s support and political will to address crimes at national and international levels.
The meeting also discussed the mission report of the recently concluded meeting of the West African Informal Working Group held in Sierra Leone, organised by the UNOCT, and allowed West African states share best practices and network as part of their implementation of the project.
The committee is responsible of overseeing the implementation of the UN flagship initiative on Member States’ capabilities on countering terrorism and serious crimes.
Meanwhile, Seyaka Sonko also received the Programme Coordinator of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), The Gambia, Ms. Coumba Mathurin Diop and the National Consultant Project Management Officer, (UNODC) Ms. Fatou Sise.
The purpose of their visit to the Honourable Minister was to formally brief him on the implemented projects and programmes for the Ministry’s line institutions and as well discuss ways of complimenting the Ministry’s agenda in the upcoming years.
Present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr. Abdoulie TB Jarra and the Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Mr. Gibril Ngorr Secka.
