As
the whole nation prepares to exuberantly welcome our dear leader and president
of The Gambia, we would like to chip in with some little advice as regards the
security of the state.
The
recent discovery of threatening toxic
chemicals in air conditioners and
the missing of large cache of
arms and
ammunition at the State House,
is a serious cause for concern.
This
situation leaves room for many questions and seemingly no answers. Who took the
arms at the State House? Why were they taken? For what purpose were they taken?
While
investigation into the matter is under way, the incident is worrying and calls
for more vigilance from the new government to avoid any fatal mishap in the
exercise of their functions, as well as in protecting the general public.
The
recent development has been very disappointing, as people have expressed dismay
and dissatisfaction about the so-called gesture of ex-president Yahya Jammeh.
He
left the State House on Saturday 21st and, on Sunday 22nd January, the arms disappearance and toxic
chemical discovery at the State House was unearthed.
The
new authorities should take hard measures against anyone found wanting in
connection with the incident, as the act is very serious since it was meant to
destroy lives and property.
The
new government and the security forces in charge should do everything in their
power and capacity to retrieve the missing stock of arms and ammunition, in
order to assure peace of mind to the nation.
We
would like to suggest to the President to screen all members of the security
apparatus, since there are allegations that there are foreigners in the midst
of our security apparatus.
It
is also advisable for the president to take good care of security officers;
thereby try to give them their due, to avoid unnecessary grievances against the
president and his government. The same should be done towards all arms of
government and sectors of the civil service.
It
will also be essential for the President to consider restructuring some wings
of the security apparatus in the country.
Some
amount of regular night patrols should be conducted by security officers, to
maintain law and order and safety in the communities. In this vein, the police
have a great role to play to ensure peace, tranquillity and safety at all
times.
“The
price of freedom is eternal vigilance .”
Desmond
Tutu
