By Kemo Kanyi
The issuance and printing of Gambia’s National Identity Card and driver’s licenses continue to hang in the balance as citizens and residents of the country are still confused about the resumption of the printing of the much-needed documents.
Mamanding S. Dibba, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for The Gambia Immigration Department, told The Voice on Tuesday that the printing of these documents is beyond his office.
“We are issuing receipts to people who applied, but for the printing aspect, we need materials that will be supplied by our parent Ministry- Interior. For now, I cannot tell you when exactly the printing of these documents will resume, but it may resume shortly,” he told The Voice newspaper.
Sounding opinion of both Gambians and non-Gambians across all works of life about the issues of identity card challenges, a source who likes to remain anonymity told this medium that he has for several months now been given a receipt after applying for the National Identity Card, but has yet to receive the document.
“I applied for the National Identity Card in early June, but I still can’t get the ID card. This is disturbing me a lot. We want the government to help us address this challenge. Not everyone can afford to look for an international passport because it’s expensive,” he lamented.
Saja Kuyateh, a Taxi driver, and resident of Brikama, said it’s difficult for them to acquire a receipt for their driving license because they either have to go to Kanifing or Banjul, which is not convenient for them living around Brikama.
“The driver’s licenses used to be issued in Brikama, but now that licenses have not been printed, when I enquired about the receipt, I was directed to either go to Kanifing or Banjul to get a receipt. This situation is not favourable for us anymore,” he said during an interview with him.
Karamo Darboe, another driver at Jarra Soma, said he had all his documents before the printing was halted. “Someone told me that he applied for a license over two months ago but is not able to get a printed driving license.”
A non-Gambian national, resident in the country who wishes to remain anonymous, said it’s becoming unbearable for him whenever he travels to Senegal without a Residential Permit from The Gambia.
“I paid D3,500.00 for a Residential Permit in early March, but I still can’t access the document from the authorities. Now, when I travel to Senegal, I will be charged to pay 5000 CFA. This is unlike before when it used to be free for me with my Gambian Residential Permit,” he disclosed to this reporter.