Taiwan instructors offer training on Drug Law Enforcement

The effort to address drug trafficking in the country has received another boost, this time form the Republic of China on Taiwan.

A five-day drug enforcement special training course is being conducted by the embassy of the Republic of China on Taiwan, in collaboration with the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), at the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority conference hall at the Banjul International Airport.

Declaring the five-day workshop open, on behalf of the Executive Director of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), Benedict Jammeh, the deputy director of NDEA, Khalilou Njie, said the training was facilitated by the embassy of the Republic of China on Taiwan, who provided the funds and technical expertise.

“This collaboration confirms that for the past years the drug menace has prompted all concerned stakeholders to come together to make concerted efforts in a common front to wage a strong campaign against drugs,” he said.

“This workshop will remind participants of their mandate in tackling the drug menace and creating a safer and secured society for now and for posterity.”

Mr Jammeh added that the workshop would also avail participants the opportunity to learn new approaches in combating drug trafficking in all its forms. 

“Drug destroys people, families and communities in a nation; therefore all of us must not allow our people to be exposed to lifestyles that are destructive and counterproductive to the extent that they are not able to take up important responsibilities in future,” Njie said.

 The training he added, would give participants a thorough insight into the nature of drug trafficking as well as equip them with adequate skills.

He also thanked the Taiwanese embassy for bringing the training to the doorstep of the most crucial places and people.

Speaking on behalf of the Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia, Richard Shih, Deputy Ambassador Harman T.C Chiu said he was delighted to be part of the training. “Drug crime is the worst crime because it fosters corruption and weakens governance,” he said.

“This is why NDEA is recruiting more people for drug enforcement in the country, and with this training NDEA will make greater contribution towards combating drug trafficking in the country.

He also expressed hope that the collaborations between the ROC and The Gambia continues to go from strength to strength.

The four resource persons that are facilitating the training are from the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) of Taiwan. The training ends on Friday.