Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice President and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs , on behalf of President Dr Yahya Jammeh as part of activities marking the 43rd Independence anniversary of The Gambia, on Tuesday inaugurated a community initiated Police Station at Old Yundum.

Officially opening the Police Station, Vice President Njie-Saidy said the existence of the police station is evidence of a felt need by the community of Old Yundum, especially in the wake of the development and expansion of the Kombo Coastal Roads network.

“Due  to the then numerous accidents at and around the Old Yundum-Sinchu junction, police officers from Wellingara station were sent to the junction for traffic control especially during the morning and evening rush-hours. Eventually, the police had a  discussion with the Alkalo about the possibility of building a permanent station for officers to be posted there. Consequently, Mr Mamudu Faye, the Alkalo’s son identified a plot of land for a police station.

He was also able to mobilize the villagers and the market community to contribute both in cash and labour which led to the construction of this station. “This police station is indeed a community funded project which the government is very appreciative of. I therefore commend the community of Old Yundum for a job well done” she said.

Accoding to her, in a bid to complement the community’s effort in this noble venture, The Gambia Police Force installed a solar lightning system to address the electricity needs of the station pending the arrival of the Rural Electrification Project to the area. She then assured the community of Old Yundum and its environs that the police will continue to be very much vigilant in their duties and in the execution of their daily functions in the interest of the community and the entire nation. She again thanked the community of Old Yundum for the project and assured them of government support.

For his part, Benedict Jammeh, Inspector-General of Police assured Her Excellency of GPF readiness to bringing services to the door steps of every Gambian. He noted that the location of the station is strategic and will greatly reduce the burden at New Yundum and Wellingara Police Station.

He then challenged the people not only to build a police station but help them to ensure a crime free community. He said the collaboration and support of the community is highly welcome in combating crimes not only in Old Yundum but the neighbouring community. “It is also your civic right to report any police officer who is not executing his duties well” he said.

Ousman Sonko, secretary of state for the Interior described the  ceremony as historic in the police-community partnership initiative programme. He thanked the people of Old Yundum for complimenting the government’s efforts by building a police station.

“Since the Kombo Coastal Road was extended, the people felt the need for a police station because of its importance. Accidents and crimes were major concerns for the community. Therefore, the decsion by the community to forge partnership with the GPF to put up this station is a noble initiative. It will reduce the number of road accidents and crimes in the comunity among others” he said.

SoS Sonko further stated that this project has clearly manifested the mutual trust the police and the community have and urged them to nurture it at all times.

The ceremony was attended by Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, Speaker of the National Asembly, secretaries of state, Paramount Chief Alhagie Demba Sanyang, among other top government officials.