ID Cards Will be Issued Come January 2025 Says GID Official

By: Binta Jaiteh
Sanna Kanyi, the Regional Operations Commander at the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) in the North Bank Region, has hinted that ID Cards will be issued in January 2025.
Kanyi made this known In an interview with, The Voice Newspaper, “This is a concern to the immigration department and we are doing everything to make sure that ID Cards are issued in January 2025,” He stated.
Sanna went on to explain that the reason ID Cards are not being issued is because the contract between the government of The Gambia and SEMLEX has expired and another company is being contracted to take over. 
Ebou Gaye, a resident of Upper Nuimi, said the issue of ID Cards is a concern to the public. The immigration department, Ebou maintains, should start issuing ID Cards as soon as possible because according to him, without ID Cards traveling will be difficult.
“ID Card is a document that shows whether you are a citizen or not, the government should make sure that issues like ID Cards and other vital documents are available all the time. If the contract of SEMLEX expires they should immediately contact another company to take over,” Ebou stated.
Ebou Gaye went on to decry the fact that ID Cards have not been issued for the past 3 months, whilst immigration officials keep asking people about ID Cards when traveling. Another resident of Upper Nuimi District, Baboucarr Ceesay expressed frustration and disappointment with the immigration department.
He reiterated that ID Card is a document that is fundamental and crucial to citizens. “We are going through a difficult situation to acquire certain things because there are no ID Cards to process our business transactions.  It gets so bad that at times, even cash withdrawals are becoming cumbersome, Baboucarr lamented.
Readers will recall the obvious challenges faced by citizens and residents of The Gambia are facing because of the non-issuance of ID Cards by the Gambia Immigration Department. The intended issuance of ID Cards come January 2025 brings hope for a smooth resolution to the issue. The delays in ID card issuance have had a significant impact on residents; the government’s efforts in addressing this issue are eagerly awaited by the people of Upper Nuimi and beyond.