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Immigration boss issues stern warning

Dec 24, 2009, 12:33 PM | Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh & Yusuf Ceesay

The Director General of the Gambia Immigration Department, Buba Sagnia, has warned non-nationals to desist from obtaining the new biometric national Identity Card.

According to him, the main purpose for introducing the new system is to help combat fraud such as acquiring illegally the national ID card.

Legal action, he warned, would be taken against any foreigner who is caught attempting to obtain the new biometric ID card.

The senior Immigration officer issued the warning during the inauguration of Brikama Biometric ID Card office.

Mr. Sagnia urged all Gambians, especially residents of Brikama "to remain vigilant."

He also advised immigration officers issuing the new ID cards to be professional and to deliver as expected, pointing out that the eyes of the public are on them at all times.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, Yaya Sireh Jallow, who also spoke at the ceremony, noted that the inauguration of the office is another milestone in the government's efforts to improve service delivery to the citizenry.

According to him, the new office would serve the residents of Brikama as well as the communities in Western Region, who no longer have to travel to Banjul to secure an identification card.

The Ministry of the Interior was honoured to be spearheading this important national project, Jallow added, and deeply appreciates the partnership with Pristine Consulting in this all-important project.

Mr. Jallow also noted that the introduction of a mobile unit by the police immigration service is another achievement, since it ensures that Gambians and foreign residents are issued with appropriate identification documents anywhere in the country without much difficulty or any hassle.