By Alhagie Babou Jallow
The Gambian migrants who have recently returned from Libya have expressed regret in taking the perilous journey, while warning other young to resist the temptation.
The new arrivals were speaking last week during a weeklong orientation and capacity assessment session at the Friendship Hostel in Bakau organised by the National Youth Council in collaboration with the Gambia Immigration Department and the support of Youth Empowerment Project.
The orientation centered on the economic opportunities, skill development programme and support mechanism available in the Gambia as the returnees battle to reintegrate.
Pa Saidy, a returnee from Sukuta, said he left last year for Europe because he wanted to help his family who relied on him.
“I am the only son of my father and the one he relies on for the welfare of the family,” he said.
Alhagie Amadou Camara, another returnee and resident of Dippa Kunda, said: “The Senegal-Gambia border closure forced me to take the back-way because I was doing vegetable business from Gambia to Senegal. When the border closed I had nothing to do but to take journey.”
Alagie Kanteh and other returnees shared similar circumstances that forced them to leave the country for greener pasture.
The chairman of NYC, Dembo Kambi, said the orientation was meant to give hope to the returnees and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities in the country.
Foday Gassama of GID, in a solidarity statement, said they are always concern about the welfare of Gambians anywhere around the world because many of them their rights were violated. He said no country wishes her citizens to leave and face abuses.
