By: Nyima Sillah
The Minister of Defense, Sering Modou Njie,has vowed to mount an investigation into the issue of the Foni identification card allegation.
His pronouncement on the investigation came up when a resident of Foni alleged during the funeral of the late Duwa Badgie that the residents of Foni are marginalized in getting a national identification card.
“The people of Foni are fed up, since 2017 if the residents of Foni went to look for an identification card, they got denied. Are they not Gambians?’’ He asked. Adding: “Even if they are driving with a Foni license they have a problem, and if it’s time for elections the government comes to Foni to get votes. We want the government to prioritize the people of Foni and know that the people of Foni are also Gambians.”
Responding to the allegation, the Minister of Defense opined that he is in doubt knowing that the people of Foni face marginalization in acquiring a national document, arguing that they will mount an investigation regarding the issue.
“All Gambians have the right to have national documents because it’s their constitutional right. This matter will be investigated,” the defense minister contended.
He pointed out that the information is new to him and if that is the reality on the ground, then it is not right and all the security officers that are involved will face justice, reiterating that it is the right of every citizen in this country to have the right to that document.
“That is your constitutional right and nobody should deny you that. We will make sure the matter is investigated,” he stated.