Jammeh Inaugurates New Banjul Ferry Terminal
Tuesday 25th July 2006

By Nfamara Jawneh & Njameh Bah

As part of activities marking the 12th anniversary celebrations of the July 22nd Revolution, H.E. President Yahya Jammeh yesterday inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Ferry Terminal and Naval Yard in Banjul.

Speaking on the occasion, President Jammeh said: “Gambians should now realise that when my government makes a policy it will adhere to it to the letter.” He added that his government would always fulfil whatever it promises the people. “In fact, by the grace of Allah, we will give you more than we promise you,” he noted.

He also enjoined Gambians to be thankful and graceful enough to the Almighty Allah for the peace and stability in the country, whilst calling on the public and the civil servants to take their work, duties and responsibilities seriously.

“We should work together to develop our country. Let each and every one play his [or her] role,” he advised.

Dwelling on immigration, the Gambian leader said: “Even if the Europeans electrify their borders, Gambians will continue to go there.”
With regard to the crises in the Middle East, especially the current one involving Palestine, Israel and Lebanon, President Jammeh expressed solidarity with and strong support for the people and governments of Palestine and Lebanon.

Noting that though some people would be tempted to question Gambia’s interest in the crisis in the Middle East, he said: “It is our business because if you look at business investment in this country [The Gambia], the Lebanese community has more investments than any other community.” He observed that when one looks at the socio-economic history of this country, the Lebanese and the Indians were some of the first Asians to come and establish import-export businesses in The Gambia.

He therefore inferred that the Lebanese are Gambian brothers and sisters. “Not only do we have diplomatic relations, but we also have cultural relations; so if you touch Lebanon, you have touched Gambia too. That is why we are concerned,” he noted.

President Jammeh also observed that what is happening in the Middle East today is affecting all Third World and developing countries worldwide, adding that the crises in that region have caused the price of fuel to increase drastically, making it difficult for private economies to recover and maintain price stabilization of petroleum products.

In his speech, Modou Lamin Gibba, Director-General of Gambia Ports Authority, said GPA’s aim is to provide first-class ferry services to its customers.

According to Mr Gibba, the newly inaugurated ferry terminal project cost D10 million.

For his part, Mam Saloum Perr Sarr, Chairman of GPA Board of Directors, said that the importance of ferry services could not be overemphasised. He also disclosed that the Trans-Gambia project would soon start.

Other speakers on the occasion included the Permanent Secretaries for Defence, and Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Joseph Jasseh and Landing Sanyang respectively.

Ali Gaye, GPA’s Director of Resource Generation, delivered the vote of thanks.