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By: Fabakary B. Ceesay
According to our findings, about more than fifty (50) Gambians, currently stranded in the Senegalese capital Dakar, have registered with the Gambian High Commission for immediate evacuation back home, but are yet to get any assurance as to when and how will they be send home with the assistance of the Gambia government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the High Commission in Dakar.
It could be recalled that two staffs of National Electricity and Water Company (NAWEC) and other Gambian students currently on studies in Dakar, voiced out their frustration and fear amid the spread of the Coronavirus in Senegal for immediate evacuation back home.
The NAWEC staff could not be evacuated by their institution after frantic efforts made by their Human Resources Manager Ms. Maimuna John and Director General Alpha Robinson to get an official vehicle clearance permit from State House to transport the two home. But their efforts bears no fruits as the government refused to issue them with clearance permit.
In a previous interview with the Communication officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saikou Ceesay said his office is not in the picture of the matter, but advice the students to write to the Gambian Embassy and copied it to the Ministry. He added that from there action could be taken.
Trumpet newspaper can authoritatively report that a letter drafted by the students dated 7th April 2020, was submitted and received by the Gambian Ambassador Mr. Ebrima Ndure. The same letter was submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as adviced by the Spokesperson Saikou Ceesay.
Recently Mr. Ceesay indicated that a Committee was set up at the National Assembly to look into the plight of every Gambian stranded outside the country and wanting to come home. He added that plans are on the way to send buses to Dakar to bring Gambians home but could not tell how long the process will take. He indicated that they are communicating with their Senegalese counterparts to forge out a common stand for both to transport their citizens who wanted to go home amid the spread of Coronavirus.
Recently, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Momodou Tangara told the National Assembly that his office is working out means to evacuate Gambians from Coronavirus hit China and other parts of the world. But did not outlined any specific time to bring them home.