Lawmakers debate country's security, FGM during adjournment debate

Each member was allocated eight minutes instead of the regular fifteen minutes of the time stipulated in the Standing Order Act.  This aroused concern from members, which prompted the NAM for Foni Kansala, Almameh Gibba, to shedlight on state of the country’s security, urging the minister for Interior to take immediate actions and bring perpetrators accused in the shooting death of two on duty police personel, with one sustaining injuries, to justice.

Foni Kansala lawmaker also called for the repealing of the FGM laws.

 “We will not go against our religion for anyone, I will fight to make sure that these laws are repealed to safeguard our girl children.”

Member for Kiang West, Hon Lamin Ceesay, condemned the recent killings of the two police personel and called on government to stop pointing fingers at political parties, rather 'do thorough investigation.'

“Pointing fingers is unacceptable especially when investigations are not done yet. This is unacceptable. This is a tragedy that happened. We should allow the state institutions to do their investigation and bring the culprit to book. This is what is important but at such a critical moment of our nation, we start pointing fingers at each other.” he added.

Regarding the contentious issue of FGM, Kiang West lawmaker said that "if the FGM advocates are claiming the improper way of practice, they should bear in mind this country has female circumcision not female genital mutilation. The money the advocates are spending they should rather use that money to help build the society because we can not stop practicing what our religion commands us to do and we will decriminalize this law as our people do not support it.” he emphasized.

The member for Bundungka Kunda, Hon Sulayman Jammeh, highlighted that security personnel in all sectors should be armed to be able to protect themselves from harm.

Member for Wuli East, Hon Suwaibu Touray, highlighted the issue of the deplorable roads conditions in rural  Gambia, saying the Ministry of Transport should work towards road rehabilitation in his constituency and surroundings.