At a press briefing held over the weekend, CSI Karalang Jarju, stated that the GID appreciates the Government's support to the Department, though its budgetary proposals are always cut beyond expectation.
“In 2022, the Department submitted a budget proposal of D38,716,530.00 to the government out of which D28,656,950.0) was approved representing 63.69%. Out of the approved budget, 74.02% (D6,405,256.00) was released from Government of Gambia.” he disclosed.
Jarju revealed that GID is the least-resourced agency under the Ministry of the Interior, noting that GID as a growing institution, requires major budgetary
allocation to help it develop its infrastructure to a level that would enable it improve upon its efficiency and effectiveness in this dynamic world where migration has become very complex and evolving. However, the budgetary allocations to the department have usually fallen below expectations.” he lamented.
CSI Jarju observed that the Department has no befitting National Headquarters nor a single Regional Headquarters, office block of its own among others, saying some measures have been put in place to address some of these challenges. Nonetheless, he said this remains a great challenge.
Further on the challenges the institution faces, he revealed that the expansion of the administrative and operational mandate of the GID has necessitated an increase in vehicular needs.
“Unfortunately, the number of vehicles is not increasing. In addition, our Commands operate in difficult terrains, mainly along the borders of the country, which causes quick and irreparable damages to the few vehicles the department owns. This has resulted in inadequate vehicles to support the operational and administrative work of some critical Commands.” he narrated.
