The Chinese Embassy in Banjul has recently handed 20 brand new motorbikes to the Interior Minister Ebrima Mballow, at an event held at the Kairaba Police Station in Fajara.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia His Excellency Zhang Jiming, said the People’s Republic of China is always willing to partner with The Gambia to ensure socio-economic development, hence they donated the motorbikes to assist the police in ensuring peace and security in the country.
Mr. Jiming stated that this donation is also in response to a call made by the permanent secretary Ministry of the Interior to support the Gambia Police Force which is logistically constrained due to growing demand for road safety and the maintaining of internal security.
He further added that the government of the People’s Republic of China is committed in strengthening the capacity of the security apparatus of The Gambia to ensure peace, order and advancement.
“The donation we witnessing today also reflects the existing bilateral cooperation between The Gambia and the People’s Republic of China and the recent visit of the Gambian president Adama Barrow to China where both leaders discussed issues of mutual benefit to the two countries,” he said.
He further said the donated motorbikes will facilitate the work of the police in providing security for all.
For his part the Hon. Minister of the Interior, Ebrima Mballow said he is happy to receive the 20 motorbikes donated by China through its Embassy in Gambia. He also thanked and expressed appreciation on behalf of the Government of The Gambia to the Chinese Embassy for the gesture.
“The police is indeed logistically constrained but this donation will go a long way in easing that problem,” he said. Minister Mballow used the occasion to thank the hardworking men and women in uniform, who he described as gallant in making The Gambia a safe home for all. He urged the police to make best use of the donated motor bikes and take ownership of them.
The Inspector General of Police Landing Kinteh thanked the People’s Republic of China through their ambassador for the kind gesture. We promise to make good use of the bikes and handle with ultimate care, he said.
He further pointed that the motor bikes will help in the due execution of their duties as police officers present in the traffic, stations and anywhere necessary.
