The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has issued a stern warning to all landlords in The Gambia not to allow any foreigner to stay in their premises, being a compound, lodge, hotel, or any other dwelling place without a valid passport, visa, visitors pass (laissez passé), Alien Card, or residential permit.

This, according to Immigration officials, is geared towards safeguarding the peace and maintaining the territorial integrity of the country.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Immigration Headquarters in Banjul yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Immigration Department, Cadet Inspector Lamin K Manneh, told journalists that The Gambia Immigration Department is an agency, formed by an Act of Parliament, tasked with the responsibility of carrying out all immigration functions. According to him, it is therefore the mandate of the GID to enforce all the immigration laws as stated in the Immigration Act.

“Any landlord, agent, owner of premises, who fail to abide by this rule as stated in Cap 16 of Section 12, Subsection 1and 2 of the Alien Registration Act, contravenes or violates such provision, commits an offence. The concerned landlord, agent, owner of premises, will therefore be arrested and charged accordingly,” PRO Manneh said.

He stated that the GID is fully committed to provide each and every Gambian and non-Gambians alike with the necessary and adequate services required in making sure that the prevailing peace and stability is enjoyed by every person who lives in The Gambia.

According to the Immigration Spokesman, his department will never relent in its efforts to enforce these laws.

Cadet Inspector Manneh therefore informed landlords, agents, and owners of premises (lodges, compound, hotels, etc.) not to allow any tenant to reside in their premises without regularising their status.

He said the person must provide a valid document that satisfies the landlord, agent, owner of the premises that he or she has regularised his status with the Immigration Department. He solicits the support and co-operation of all landlords, agents, owners of premises and the public.