According a press release relayed over GRTS last evening, the portfolio of Religious Affairs is now transferred to the Office of the President with immediate effect.

This follows the delay and difficulty endured by the Gambian pilgrims during the 2008/2009 Hajj. As a direct result the Permanent Secretary responsible for Religious Affairs Alassan Jammeh and Amirul HajjkebbaLanding Sanyanghas been dismissed with immediate effect. According to the release this incur the government huge financialcost in bringing back home the pilgrims.

“Subsequently government is working on a number of measures to prevent a repeat of this undesirable situation,” the release states.

The release added that other measures will follow in due course.