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Gambia News : Taiwan Donates Four Patrol Boats to Navy

The Gambia Navy on Friday, 26th June, 2009, received four patrol boats from the visiting Taiwanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Andrew Shia, at a ceremony held at that Naval headquarters in Banjul.

Speaking at the official handing over ceremony, the Chief of Naval Staff, Commander Sarjo Fofana, said the gift of four boats all at one time is landmark history of the Navy of The Gambia. He said they will ensure that they will have a secure and save maritime environment for their developmental goals.

The Naval chief said the territorial waters must be safe from terrorists or pirates who would not be allowed to use it for illegal trafficking of guns and human. He said they will not also accept the trafficking of heroine, drug peddling, poaching and illegal migration.

Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, the Chief of Defence Staff, said this is one of the biggest foreign donations the force has ever had. He thanked the Taiwanese Armed Forces and the people.

According to the CDS, illegal migration is a concern to the government and that they want to put in place measures that will help the maritime to secure the river.

Maj. Gen. Tamba thanked Taiwan for giving them 2 boats way back in 1999 as well as the training of 14 personnel from the Gambian Navy in Taiwan to handle these boats and said this will capacitize and enhance the patrolling of the Gambian territorial waters. He promised that they will take care and make sure that good maintenance is giving to the vessels.

The President of the Republic and the Minister of Defence, Yaya Jammeh, for his part, said these four boats are an invaluable gesture that amply demonstrates and strengthen the unwavering bonds of friendship and cooperation that exists between The Gambia and the Republic of Taiwan.

President Jammeh said this grand project will improve the maritime security and coastal defence capabilities of the Gambian Navy.

The Deputy Minister for Taiwan Andrew Shia was also present of the ceremony.