Belgian naval vessel ends visit

A Belgian Naval Vessel A960 GODETIA on Tuesday ended a three-day naval routine visit to The Gambia.

During their three-day stay in the country, the Belgian Naval team Commander Jan Dujardin, accompanied by the Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium in The Gambia Mr. Pierre LM Sarr met the officials of the Banjul City Council and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Yankuba Drammeh.

At the Mayor's office Consul Sarr and his guest were received by the Deputy Mayor of Banjul, Mr. Winston Shyngle, who expressed hope that the friendship that has been existing between Austin City in Belgium and Banjul City Council will grow from strength to strength.

Both the Chief Executive Officer and the Public Relations Officer of the council, Mustapha Batchilly and David Jones, respectively commended the Belgian Consul in The Gambia and the Commander of the Belgian Naval Vessel Jan Dujardin for their visit to the council.

They suggested an exchange visit between the youths of Austin City in Belgium and Banjul City Council, stating that Banjul predominantly has a youthful population.

From Banjul City Council, the Belgian delegation proceeded to the office of the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff where Major General Yankuba Drammeh received them.

Deputy CDS Drammeh urged the Belgian Naval Vessel Commander Dujardin and his team to make the best use of their visit to the country by going round to enjoy the hospitality of Gambians.

For his part, the Commander of the visiting Belgian Naval Vessel to The Gambia, Jan Dujardin stated that the purpose of their visit was to provide best recreation for their crew. Commander Dujardin said they came with some goods for humanitarian aid to various institutions.

He described Banjul City Council as their God Father City and promised that the relationship between Austin City in Belgium and Banjul City Council would yield fruits in the near future.

He said it’s the first naval ship that was entirely designated and constructed in Belgium after World War 2.

Shortly before leaving Banjul Port, the visiting Belgian team hosted a reception on board GODETIA (A960) Naval Vessel on Monday evening at the seaport.