Dr Patrick Chang, the outgoing Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia, yesterday bade farewell to Mrs Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly and National Assembly members at a ceremony held at her office in Banjul.

Speaking at the ceremony, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay on behalf of the National Assembly, thanked Dr Chang for the support rendered during his tenure in office in The Gambia. According to her, during the three years of Dr Chang in The Gambia, several projects and assistance were received from the Taiwanese government through his support.

She then observed the strong relationship that existed between the assembly and the Taiwanese embassy in Banjul during Dr Chang’s term saying “through the excellent relations, we also stood firm in support of them by standing strongly towards President Jammeh’s foreign policy on China. We have passed several resolutions in the National Assembly on behalf of Taiwan”.

Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay then reiterated the numerous assistance from the Taiwanese embassy among them, the financial assistance to ensure a successful 2008 state opening of the National Assembly as well as upgrading the NAMs lounge. “We will miss you. Your three year seems as three days for The Gambia” she said.

She then expressed delight at Dr Chang and the entire staff of the embassy and wish him all the best in all his endeavours.

For his part, Borry S. Colley, NAM Foni Jarrol, thanked Ambassador Chang and the entire embassy staff for the relentless supports, especially in the area of Infrastructure and agriculture. He highlighted the several intervention sites of the Taiwanese government in The Gambia. “ My people were able to get a grant from the Republic of Taiwan for the construction of the road linking Kalagi via Sintet and the Mayork Senior Secondary School. This is laudable” he said.

Abba Sanyang, NAM for Foni Kansala also thanked Dr Chang for the support in the area of Girls Education Trust Fund. He revealed that Dr Chang through his embassy is currently sponsoring about 35,000 students in the country. He commended Dr Chang for his support to the people of Foni for providing them with major projects, such as the Science and Technology Academy in Kanilai and the Mayork Senior Secondary School.

Fabakary Tombong Jatta, NAM for Serrekunda East and Majority leader, saluted the outgoing Ambassador for the tremendous support and projects introduced during his tenure of office in Banjul. He remarked that, Taiwan’s absent in the world body is a set back for her people in one way or the other and called for an end. He then emphasised the Gambia’s-Taiwan relationship which is base on mutual understanding. The Majority leader expressed hope that Dr Chang’s successor will continue from were he stop.

Hon. Sellu Bah NAM for Basse also thanked Ambassador Chang for the interventions in the area of rice cultivation. According to him, rice growing was nearly death but through the intervention of Taiwan, the system is going normal.

For his part, Dr Patrick Chang, the outgoing Taiwanese Ambassador, thanked the Gambian people for their hospitality and the warmed welcome accorded him since his arrival in The Gambia. Dr Chang thanked President Jammeh and his government for giving him and the staff of the embassy, all the conducive atmosphere to run their projects, describing The Gambia as his second home saying “ Gambian people are like a family to me’

Dr Chang further challenged the NAMs to venture into agriculture, noting that agriculture is the backbone of the country. He also spoke on the activities of the Taiwanese Technical Mission in Sapu, CRR and assured of the continuation of the already existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

At the end of the ceremony, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay presented a cristol portray of President Jammeh and First Lady, Madam Zinab Yahya Jammeh to Dr Chang for remembrance and Dr Chang also in return, presented Golf equipment to Speaker FJC. Dr Chang was also led on a conducted tour of the assembly in which he visited the refurbished NAMs lounge and other areas of the National Assembly

In a similar engagement at the National Assembly yesterday, the Office of the Speaker, NAMs and staff of the National Assembly, hosted a party to Ebou Jobe, the oldest National Assembly messenger in recognition of his RGM award from President Jammeh. Mr Jobe served the assembly diligently for the past 36 years.