First among African Countries

The Point has gathered from unimpeachable sources that The Gambia on Wednesday, 26th September 2007, became the first African country to be granted Foreign Operator Certificate by the Saudi authorities. This certificate is a mandatory requirement to uplift pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The acquisition of the invaluable certificate, granted following a long and rigorous audit process conducted by the Saudi authorities, is believed to be a giant and timely leap in The Gambia’s 2007 Hajj operation bid.

Our sources further intimated that a whopping sum of US$1.5 million required as a guarantee for the charter of the appropriate aircraft for this year’s hajj has already been paid by Gambia International Airlines (GIA) on behalf of The Gambia.

Our sources added that this achievement is attributable to the relentless efforts of the GIA Management under the leadership of the Management Contractor, Jacques Zghinou.