The Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Technology (CIT) has called on cellular companies in The Gambia to exercise mutual understanding in a competitive market where “effectiveness and efficiency is highly rewarded”.

Mrs. Neneh Macdouall-Gaye made these remarks on 25 May this year at the celebration of Gamcel’s 6th anniversary and the launching of its 8 new value added services held at the company’s head office in Kanifing.

 Secretary of State Macdouall-Gaye said the Government of The Gambia would continue to be impartial in its responsibilities to operators as well as ensure a level playing field for all GSM operators in the country.

She said her department of state would continue to support all GSM operators in The Gambia “as long as the interest of the Gambian people is not compromised for commercial interests”.

She also pointed out that the achievements made by Gamcel over the years have demonstrated the company’s proactive marketing strategy which has steadily increased the market share of the company and access to it as well as contributed to the policy of Universal Service Obligations.

Giving a background of the company, Secy Macdouall-Gaye noted that the establishment of Gamcel was an initiative of H.E. President Yahya Jammeh at a crucial stage of cellular companies worldwide.

In his remarks on the occasion, the General Manager of Gamcel, Mr. Foday S. Ceesay, commended Secretary of State Macdouall-Gaye for her expertise and invaluable service to the CIT sector in the country, especially to GSM operators.

Mr. Ceesay noted that the occasion was a special one as it coincided with the celebration of the 42nd birthday of President Yahya Jammeh.

He also pointed out that mobile communication was first introduced in The Gambia in 1992 by Gambia Telecommunication Company Limited (Gamtel).

Referring to the challenges of the 21st century faced by GSM operators, the Gamcel boss said it was not an easy task to surmount all hurdles. “Gamcel’s goal is to make quality and affordable communication the order of the day,” he added.

He also disclosed that Gamcel’s number of subscribers, which was 15,000 by 25 May 2001, has now increased to 250,000.