By Haddy Touray
President Adama Barrow has emphasized that the high dependence of The Gambia’s economy on the maritime sector and the sector’s enormous potential to contribute to food security and employment generation, make the assurance of effective maritime security imperative.
He said, “For these reasons, as the lead maritime security agency, The Gambia Navy deserves all the support it needs to effectively carry out its mandate.”
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Barrow said on Wednesday at the handing over and commissioning ceremony of the Spanish-donated patrol vessel to Gambia Navy.
He said that despite other pressing demands, his administration will continue to support the Navy to become better equipped and trained not only as a military force at sea but also as a highly competent Maritime Law Enforcement and Security Service, adding that this is one of the objectives of the Security Sector Reform Programme.
The Gambian leader emphasized the new vessel in focus will be one of five patrol vessels in service to crack down on illegal fishing and smuggling.
He further stressed that it is expected to significantly strengthen the Navy’s fleet to curb the many risky departures of migrants from The Gambia’s coastal waters adding that this Fast Patrol Vessel, GNS FANKANTA, a High Endurance Fast Patrol Vessel, is the first offshore patrol vessel in our Navy’s fleet since 1989.
He recalled that two Coastal Patrol Vessels of almost the same size were donated to the former Marine Unit of The Gambia National Army by the People’s Republic of China.
He commended the Kingdom of Spain for their close and fruitful friendship with The Gambia, and the Spanish Guardia Civil for making this donation a reality.
He further recalled that similar support, in the form of operational platforms and training from the Kingdom of Spain to The Gambia, was offered in 2008, noting that the cooperation has been gathering momentum, with the Navy training and working with Spain’s Guardia Civil to strengthen sea safety and security.
President Barrow commended Retired Lt General Yakuba A.Drammeh and all the Senior Military Officers of Gambia Armed Forces for their significant role in the process of acquiring this support and strengthening the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the area of defence.
He disclosed that the coastal platform, GNS FANKANTA, has the capacity and endurance to stay at sea for a longer time than any other of the current fleet of vessels. “Our ability to prevent various forms of illicit or irregular activities at sea will thus be considerably enhanced henceforth.”
The Gambian leader revealed that GNS JAMBARR, previously called LOMS-52, was impounded during an operation in 2019, saying that after a long legal process, the platform was forfeited to the State, and he directed the Office of National Security to hand it over The Gambia Navy.