Immigration officials trained to be potential responders in health emergencies

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By MOMODOU JARJU

Twenty-five immigration officials working at border posts in the country have last week been trained to become potential responders in health emergencies.

The initiative is part of a project funded by the People of Japan and jointly implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and The Gambia Immigration Department (GID).

The three-day basic First Aid training for frontline border officials was held at Amdallai, North Bank Region from 26-28 November, 2019 under the project titled, “Enhancing capacities of The Gambia’s local and central governments to manage borders and contribute to trade facilitation, community and economic development.”

First aid in its basic form is an initial assistance given to a victim of injury or illness.

The million dollar project, which is about 50 million dalasis lasting for a year, started from 31 March 2019 to 30 March 2020.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, IOM Chief Mission in The Gambia, Fumiko Nagano, said IOM strongly believe that knowledge of first aid is vital especially to first responders at the borders during potential health emergencies.

“In a region with growing movements of people across borders that also has faced public health emergencies in recent years a moment delayed in first aid respond may cause further injury or harm. As frontline border officers you are the country’s gatekeepers,” she said.

She said following the training of 24 officials from Jiboro, Amdallai, and Kerr Ali in October 2019, they deemed it crucial to extend the skills to 25 other officials.

She also said soon they would be handing over medical items and equipment, including first aid kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other essential medical equipment to the ministry of health for further distribution to key border post.

Tatsuo Arai, Japanese Ambassador to Senegal and The Gambia, said management of the Gambian borders and its neighbors needs substantial improvement, saying The Gambia is expected to defend and protect its territory but cumbersome procedures and lack of information among the local authorities are major challenges.

“Number of reforms must be done such as introduction of automated custom system and streaming of border procedures, like modernization of border crossing facilities and streamlining border procedures,” he said.

He said in trade facilitation, the million dollar project will create opportunities for Africa including The Gambia by increasing the benefits from free trade and contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.

“Free trade provides more opportunities for people and producers can offer their goods and services to more customers and the customers have more choices,” he said.

Seedy M. Touray, the director of GID, said border management and control is the statutory responsibility of his department as provided by law of the country.

He said the Government of The Gambia placed great interest in the area of border management and control, adding the training would add value in the work of the officials.

“As security personnel, part of our mandate includes the protection of life and property and I think this is one cardinal function of every security officer,” he said.

Mr. Moriba Touray, one of the participants, said the training was helpful and assured the delegates that the knowledge gained would be put into good use. “We will deliver to expectation in what we were taught here,” he said.

The delegation later went to the Amdallia border post where as part of the million dollar projects, to see the renovated buildings, equipment and furniture provided and the solar panel installation. Officials of the border post said they now have 24 hours electricity supply.