By Aminata Ceesay
Brussels Airlines on Thursday donated thirty-four stamps to Gambia Immigration Department at the GID headquarters in Banjul.
The stamps included arrival, departure, ECOWAC, USA, visitors, area commissioner and visa extraction stamps.
Speaking at the presentation, Lesley Wieme, the country manager, Brussels Airlines revealed the motivation behind the donation.
“Our on-time performance results for departures from Banjul International Airport shows that we ended the year 2016 with much room for improvement. One of the factors that could positively impact our on-time performance is using the immigration counters at the departure hall up to a maximum extent. Since immigration did not have sufficient stamps available in order to use all counters present, Brussels Airlines has decided to sponsor the stamps.
“At Brussels Airlines we consider punctuality of our flights which is very important. Especially for guests with a connecting flight beyond Brussels, and with short connecting times, punctuality plays an essential role in our company’s service standards,” she said.
She added: “Brussels Airlines operates scheduled flights to and from the Gambia since more than 26 years. We therefore aim to further continue our long-lasting solid collaboration with Gambian immigration services at Banjul international airport.”
Also speaking the deputy director general of Immigration, Seedy Motary Touray, described the donation as a good gesture and beneficial to the operation of the immigration at the Gambia International Airport, adding that this will further make their function effectively and efficiently.
He further expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire immigration to Brussels Airlines for providing them with standardize security stamps, which he described as essential in the functions of the immigration.
Karamo K Sanneh, commissioner of immigration, said: “We really appreciate their effort as this is not the first time that they are donating us with stamps and we want them to understand that our good relationship will further strengthen.”
Pa Modou Ndore, Commissioner of immigration GIA, commended the cordial relationship between Brussels Airlines and immigration among other airlines at the airport. He said: “We are praying and expecting more of such donations in the future, and with this enough stamps given to us I promise it will serve its propose.”
