The Spanish government yesterday presented two vessels and speed boats to The Gambia Armed Forces.

The official handing over ceremony was presided over by Ousman Sonko, Secretary of State for the Interior, on behalf of The Gambia government and Fernando Moran Caloo-Sotelo, on behalf of the Spanish Ambassador based in Dakar. Also present were several other security chiefs including Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, at a ceremony held at the Naval Fleet, Banjul (Sea Port area).

In his keynote address, Ousman Sonko, Secretary of State for Interior said the donated equipments are in fulfillment of the bilateral agreement signed between the Gambia government and the Spanish government some months ago.

On the illegal migration which has now become a global problem and which involves the youths who are the cream of the society, SoS Sonko said, the two governments will continue to ensure that there is great reduction in such a menace.

According to him these boats could not have come at a better time than now as more youths are still venturing into travelling by using illegal routes.

SoS Sonko however, assured the donors that the boats will be put into good use.

For his part, Fernando Moran Caloo-Sotelo, Spanish Ambassador based in Dakar, Senegal dwelled on the bilateral cooperation which was signed between the two countries, noting that their services are based on security forces and how to establish the relationship with the government of The Gambia and other countries in the sub-region respectively.

He however, commended the Gambia government for their cooperation and urged the youths of the sub region, especially the Gambia youths to be steadfast in developing their nation instead of looking for greener pastures through illegal ways to Europe.

Tijan Bah, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the Spanish government to the Gambia and assured that the Gambia government will do its utmost in contributing its own quota in minimising the illegal migration that leads to the lost of lives.

Joseph Jassey, Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Defence, chaired the ceremony and the ceremony was also characterised by a demonstration of the boats by the Spanish officials to their Gambian counterparts.