The drugs are given special names and these come from Sierra Leone, Morocco, Lebanon, Guinea Bissau and elsewhere in the world. If the alarming rate of drugs coming into the country is not stopped or controlled, it will lead to health and security crisis and the nation will be exposed to high criminality and violence.
Mr President, there is an urgent need for stakeholders such as the police, the drug law enforcement agency, the SIS, the Immigration, GRA, and health personnel to tackle and combat the widespread use of dangerous drugs coming into the country and destroying our youth both boys and girls. The rampant drug peddling and use is also causing havoc in society and posing national security threat. The authorities should therefore map out a strong, effective and credible strategy to deal with the issue with the full backing of the law. Concerned authorities must consider this menace as corrupting the system and destroying the country. The drug trade could eventually land in any home and destroy families.
Mr President, cannabis and other dangerous drugs are infiltrating the Gambian market big time. These are destroying the lives of many of the youths. Armed robbery and violent killings have become rampant in the country in recent times. No one is therefore safe and no place is safe in the country. When will government take decisive actions to contain the situation? The evil deeds are perpetuated by mainly foreigners and some Gambians. The country has become the playground for criminality and the mad rush for money making all at the expense of national security, peace and stability. Thus we call on government to come up with proactive interventions to redress the menace in society without fear or favour.
Mr President, the authorities should have their feet on the ground and take appropriate actions to save the country and citizens from the mafia trade and the resulting crimes, violence and threat to life and security.
The authorities should press on with tighter immigration control, vigilant SIS role, stronger GRA and DLEAG surveillance at the airport, seaport and all border posts. There should be rigorous and fast-moving PIU interventions with no compromise, favouritism or lax approach. Furthermore, unmerciful legal penalties for wrongdoers should be applied to deter or curb the drug menace in the country.
Security concerns cannot be confined to paper work or talking all the time. What is required is massive, steadfast, honest actions to deal with the drug deal and peddling in the national interest.
Finally Mr President, according to the calendars, the Holy Month of Ramadan is expected to commence on Monday 11 March 2024 depending on when moon sighting.
It is advisable that the Ministry of Trade establish an ad hoc committee to monitor the prices of foodstuffs and other basic commodities in the country.
With the absence of price control, usually during Ramadan, business people take the advantage of the Holy Month to increase prices of their goods and services, which is incorrect.
This habit of profiteering should be properly tackled, because the Gambian populace is finding it very difficult to cope with the rapid rise of the prices of goods and services in the country.
Since we have spacious land, Gambians should cultivate rice with the help of the Chinese, as well as onions, potatoes and more vegetables to minimise our dependence on imported foodstuffs and foreign exchange.
Good day!