This year's congress attracted members from different backgrounds.
At the congress, Abdou Sanyang, secretary general of the Association of Gambia Sailors (AGS), dwelled on some of the activities of the association, recalling that 2013, 2014 and 2015 had been difficult years for the association.
The association, he added, maintained the office and paid rent, electricity and water bills as well as continued to be present in their member’s social ceremonies from naming, wedding to funerals.
“When the AGS was handed over to us, being seasoned and experienced seamen, we realised that we have a great task ahead of us.”
SG Sanyang revealed that recently, USET/GTTI in collaboration with the GMA set up a course on the Standard Training Certificate and Watch Keeping (STCW).
“We invested more than one million dalasis to sponsor one hundred of our members to attend the course. The main goal behind getting into the STCW course at USET/ GTTI is to prepare our members for deployment on cruise ships and international cargo ships. These sectors have not been utilised, but recently, we had contacts and would hopefully utilise them.”
Malang Darboe, deputy permanent secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, said the congress is important in the calendar of events as in all associations, saying the congress measures performance and plans for the way forward, which the ministry is happy to be associated with.
DPS Darboe added that this kind of forum promotes dialogue, coordination and exchange of experiences between seamen to inform and enhance collaboration to create a healthy work environment.
“The ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources is very much aware of your contribution to national development.”
Mamadou Sidibeh, deputising for the Director General at the Department of Fisheries, said the policy objective of the Ministry is to ensure that Gambians account for 20 percent of crew on board fishing vessels navigating our waters.
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