By Assan Bah
Maritime stakeholders have called for stronger security for The Gambia’s offshore oil blocks and greater protection for artisanal fishermen, warning that the country’s growing maritime interests require more patrol boats and better-equipped naval forces.
The call was made on Thursday, 17 September, during a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant-General Ousman Gomez, at the Naval Command Headquarters in Banjul.
The meeting formed part of the CDS’s nationwide tour of military formations and brought together officials from the Gambia Navy, the Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA), the Dock Workers Association, the Association of Gambia Sailors and representatives of the fish landing site.
Ebrima Jobe, Safety and Security Manager of the GMA, said the Navy plays a key role as the enforcement arm of the maritime administration and has been particularly important in saving lives during the irregular migration crisis.
“It’s mandated to ensure that there is safety of navigation and the protection of the maritime environment. For us to carry out our mandate, the Gambian Navy has been very instrumental. The testimony for this is the migrant crisis that we have been experiencing,” Jobe said.
He pointed to boats intercepted by the Navy as evidence of lives saved at sea.
“If you check outside, just behind the naval command, you have a lot of boats. These are interceptions by the Gambian Navy. And every boat is an evidence of lives that were saved. And we all know any of those boats will carry nothing less than 300 individuals,” he said.
Jobe said cooperation between the GMA and the Navy dates back to the period when the Marine Unit operated under the Gambia Ports Authority and has continued to grow.
He said the GMA has donated two patrol boats, refurbished outposts including Kartong, and provided operational and logistical support to the Navy.
But Jobe said the country’s emerging offshore oil prospects have created a new security challenge that requires national attention.
“But now we have a new challenge, which I think should be a national priority. Now, The Gambia has prospects outside, like the oil blocks that we have. We need presence to monitor these assets that we have out there,” he said.
“And to do this, I think we need deterrence. And the best deterrence is by having capabilities.”
Jobe said the Navy was performing well despite the constraints it faces, but argued that the country’s offshore interests made the need for additional capabilities more urgent.
“The Gambia Navy has been doing very well, but they are constrained with challenges we know. We are all from developing countries, so we know the challenges. But now it has become even more urgent because of the assets that we have out there,” he said.
“We need presence so that we can monitor and control those assets.”
He appealed to government institutions and development partners to support the Navy with equipment.
“So I will use this platform to request to appeal. From other government agencies or even donor partners, if they can provide the necessary equipment that we need to do effective monitoring of our territorial waters, then it will serve Gambia better,” he said.
Jobe cited Togo as an example of a country where maritime surveillance provides a strong deterrent and said The Gambia, as part of the Gulf of Guinea region, should prepare for possible future threats as offshore oil activities develop.
He noted that The Gambia has so far avoided the hijacking incidents seen off the coast of Nigeria but said the country should build its capacity before new offshore activities increase.
“All over the world, where you have these facilities, it is well protected. And this, I am very confident that if the Gambia Navy is given the right opportunity, given them the right capabilities, they will not only perform better than other navies, but they will be a force to be reckoned with in our sub-region,” Jobe said.
The Dock Workers Association also praised the Navy for its role in protecting people and property around the port.
Modou Gaye, the association’s HR Manager, said the Navy deserves greater support as it carries out its responsibilities.
“As I really understand, the Navy has been doing a very good job in terms of securing life and property, and I think they deserve to be applauded,” Gaye said.
He said the Navy should receive assistance whenever possible.
“Basically, the only thing that we have is you have been giving them a very good opportunity for them to do their job as expected… The Navy needs support,” he said.
“Whenever the need arises, if we can do it, I think they need support, because people who are going to the territorial waters to secure our areas, I think they deserve something to be commended.”
At the fish landing site, the concerns were more immediate.
Saikou Saidy, a representative of the Fish Landing Site who said he has spent 40 years fishing, told the meeting that fishing communities depend almost entirely on the ocean and are facing serious difficulties.
“On behalf of all local fishermen, I am making an urgent plea for support from the Navy. The challenges we currently face are unsustainable; if this situation continues, we may be forced to stop fishing entirely within the next two years,” Saidy said.
He accused Chinese fishing companies operating in the area of repeatedly damaging the equipment of local fishermen.
“The Chinese companies operating in this area are causing severe disruptions, frequently destroying our fishing gear without offering any compensation,” he said.
Saidy said he had reported the complaints to the Ministry of Fisheries through its officer stationed at the landing site but claimed that no action had been taken.
“Although I have reported these grievances to the Ministry of Fisheries through its officer stationed here but no action has been taken. We need intervention now to protect our waters and our livelihoods,” he said.
Abdou Sanyang, Secretary General of the Association of Gambia Sailors, reaffirmed the association’s support for the Navy, describing it as a shield of national sovereignty.
He said the Navy plays an important role in combating illegal fishing, drug trafficking and smuggling.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Momodou Bah thanked the stakeholders for their participation and said the meeting was intended to listen to their concerns and strengthen cooperation.
“The Gambian Navy and their stakeholders play a critical responsibility in safeguarding our territorial waters, marine resources and our national interests,” Bah said.
“However, for the Navy and their stakeholders to be able to discharge this responsibility effectively and efficiently, it requires professionalism, discipline, vigilance and strong coordination.”
He assured stakeholders that the ministry remained ready to work with the Navy.
“As a Ministry our doors are always open and we remain committed to working closely with the Gambian Navy and their stakeholders to ensure that our waters and marine resources are protected,” he said.
Responding to the concerns raised, CDS Gomez acknowledged the challenges facing the Navy and assured stakeholders that steps would be taken to address them.
“You’ve already alluded some challenges facing the Navy. We are aware of it and it’s by matter of time that some of the issues will be taken care of,” Gomez said.
He said the Navy would continue working with stakeholders to strengthen surveillance and security in the country’s waters.
“I want to take this opportunity to assure you that the Gambia Navy will work with you, all the partners in these territorial waters, to ensure that our waters are policed,” he said.
Addressing the concerns of local fishermen, Gomez said the Navy would work to ensure their safety.
“There is a complaint with regards to fishing and people have been fishing here for 40 years. Be reassured that we are here to ensure that all activities happening in these waters, we are in safe hands,” he said.
“We will ensure that you people are safe, you people go and fish and come back safe.”
The CDS urged fishermen to comply with maritime regulations and encouraged them to share information with the authorities about suspicious activities at sea.
“Let’s share the information. Sometimes, especially the local fishermen, you are the people who will go out there. Sometimes the navies are not there,” he said.
“It is you who should come and give us information. Anytime you see activities that you do not understand it is also your duty to come out and tell us,” he urged.
