Senegal: 'Biometric identification programme progressing well in Gambia'

Biometric identification programme Senegal - Gambia's immigration officials have disclosed that the biometric identification system, introduced by the government, is progressing, with about 302,637 people already issued with cards, PANA reports Tuesday. According to the officials, some 15,959 non-Gambian ID cards have been issued out so far to aliens living in the country as well as 2,235 residential 'permit A cards' and 30,879 residential permit B cards.

Speaking to journalists, Yahya Manneh, the commissioner responsible for the biometric project at Gambia's Immigration Department, stressed the importance of the exercise.

“The importance of this biometric project is that it ensures proper control of the Gambian and foreign nationals through a proper biometric identification system in this country,” he said.

The Head of Gambia's Immigration Department, Buba Sagnia, also emphasized that the biometric documents would boost security in the country.

“We want the security of all Gambians who hold the biometric cards, so that citizens and non-citizens can be free from fraudsters and impostors,” Sagnia told the Point newspaper.

“The biometric is a good project, and hopefully we will meet our targets. Few countries in Africa have introduced the biometrics and these include Senegal, Morocco and The Gambia because of security reasons.”