By: Kemo Kanyi
The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (CoPG) has challenged the government of The Gambia to improve the country’s security infrastructure to address what, it referred to, as the country’s deteriorating security situation.
The pressure group said it is deeply concerned by the recent armed robberies, mysterious murders and cases of rape and kidnapping. The group said these are reasons enough for great concern amongst the citizenry.
The CoPG questioned the whereabouts of the blueprint for the security sector reforms, calling for improved conditions to deal with the constraints faced by the Gambia’s security sector.
“The CoPG is calling for adequate funds to be appropriated to the security services to equip them and improve their working conditions. The lack of mobility and gear has always been a major constraint for the security sector, and we advise the Minister of Finance to allocate enough to improve this very important sector. It is notably clear that in most cases, monies or allocations for the Ministry of Interior and Defence are at mostly vired to other irrelevant expenditures as travel and mobility for other institutions at short notice,” the group said in a statement shared with The Voice. “This is regarded as presumed attitude normalized by the Minister of Finance to divert allocated funds from very important sectors as internal security to suit personal or other individual interests. The CoPG urges the government to recognize security as the prerequisite for peace and stability and must ensure swift and urgent steps are drawn and taken to reduce the crime rate,” the group stated.
The CoPG alleged that the security services are among the most underperforming institutions in their role as the sector responsible for the protection of life and property, adding that the “insufficient equipment or gear for these important public services, particularly the police and the fire and rescue services is telling by the wave of crime, insecurity and fire occurrences in recent months”.
It urged the government to show urgency in the execution of the security sector reforms which, it said, will not only reduce crime but equip the security personnel with the necessary and relevant skills in the execution of their duties, roles and responsibilities.
“The deteriorating morals amongst service personnel, particularly in the dispensation of internal security is also a reason for concern as this is due to the lack of proper selection, recruitment, and training for security personnel. This has been manifested by the disciplinary actions taken against a policewoman and soldier who knew little or nothing of the code of conduct and core values enshrined in their profession. They may be blamed for their attitude but also the lack of proper training,” CoPG added.
The CoPG admitted that it is a fact that there is no crime-free country, but that crime can be controlled to the minimum limit, especially with a small country like The Gambia, stating that more efforts is needed by the authorities to mitigate the current status of national security.
“The Government needs to take all necessary steps to not only reduce crime but initiate and train personnel in crime preventive measures through community and particularly youth involvement by educating alongside other extra curriculum activities which don’t only involve the public in activities but equip them with skills in entrepreneurship,” it maintained.
