The issue of Gambian visa seekers suffering financially and psychologically in their attempt to travel to the United Kingdom and the United States has recently generated passionate debate at the National Assembly. As if on a cue, a prominent Gambian businessman and retired parliamentarian has also added his voice to the debate, urging the Gambian Foreign Affairs Secretary of State to strengthen his resolve to constructively engage the U.S. and the British authorities over the issue.

Hon. (rtd) Alhaji Alieu Badara Jeng expressed pride in the National Assembly’s decision to give the visa issue prominence on the floor of the House.

A heavy weight in the aviation industry with many years of professional experience, Mr. Jeng concurred with the parliamentarians that Gambians experience numerous difficulties such as financial loss and psychological nightmare when it comes to U.S. and U.K. visas.

"This is all the more reason I strongly agree with the members of the National Assembly, as well as appreciate their move in bringing the matter to the attention of Hon. Balla Garba Jahumpa, alias Action Man, for redress. The effects of stamping someone’s passport after rejecting his application for a visa do not only bring about financial loss but also lots of inconvenience. It is evident that if somebody is rejected a visa and his passport stamped, the tendency is that the individual would automatically turn around to the immigration department to acquire another passport, "he added.

To the Fahad Travel Agency boss, the stamping of people’s passports may have far-reaching consequences, especially at international airports such as those in the U.K. and U.S.

"Travellers may be subjected to rigorous scrutiny regarding the previous rejection stamp. This may cause delay and even economic loss. Hence, I definitely welcome the firm stance and resolve by Hon. Jahumpa, a die-hard APRC loyalist, to positively engage the American and British authorities so as to make things easier for Gambians when it comes to visa procedures," stated Mr. Jeng.

"I hope they would see how best to completely stop the stamping of people’s passports once they are rejected for reasons best known to the consular. There is a Wollof saying that "ku nobut waay, johko yefam". The closest rendering of this saying in English is "If you don’t give me visa, give me back my passport in the form I gave it to you."

On what he considered prohibitive visa fees, the Fahad boss opined that since all consular offices have vaults for administrative and other expenses, fees for visas should not be too expensive for the average citizen.

"I thank Mr. SOS for taking the issue very seriously at the Assembly. I also wish to thank the parliamentarians for the interest they have shown in the welfare of their electorate in particular and Gambians in general.

"I would also like to commend Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay for conducting the affairs of the National Assembly in a dignified and mature manner," he concluded.