Written by: Badr Ahmed

The Gambian President Adama Barrow held a meeting with members of the Gambian community residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the presence of a number of students, professionals, and community leaders. This meeting comes as part of the government's commitment to strengthening communication with citizens abroad and listening to the most prominent issues and challenges they face.

Important message from the President of The Gambia to his citizens

The meeting witnessed extensive discussions on a number of issues of concern to the community members, foremost among them are the procedures for issuing and renewing passports, in addition to the permits and procedures necessary to facilitate performing the rituals of Hajj and visiting Mecca Al-Mukarramah, which contributes to facilitating the services provided to Gambian citizens residing in the Kingdom.

President Adama Barrow affirmed during the meeting that the government has carefully listened to all the observations and proposals put forth by members of the diaspora. He indicated that the relevant authorities will work to study these issues and take appropriate measures to address them within legal and administrative frameworks.

At the same time, the President reviewed the most prominent achievements made by The Gambia in recent years, pointing out that the country is witnessing expansion in the education sector through the establishment of new universities, in addition to the launch of trust funds dedicated to supporting students and helping them pay tuition fees, which enhances opportunities for higher education.

Barro also pointed to the evolution of the school feeding program, explaining that its budget has significantly increased from 30 million dollars to 250 million dollars. This move reflects the government's commitment to improving educational services and supporting children across the country, as well as implementing a number of development projects in various sectors aimed at improving living standards and promoting economic growth.

The President called on the sons and daughters of the Gambian community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to maintain their unity and cohesion. He urged them to consider returning to their homeland to contribute their expertise and knowledge in support of the national development process, emphasizing that the participation of Gambian talents abroad represents an important pillar for achieving sustainable development.

For his part, Consul General Ebou Ndoor called on members of the community to continue representing the Gambia honorably, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and affirming that the diplomatic mission will follow the necessary official procedures to address the demands submitted by the community members.

In turn, the Ambassador of Gambia to Saudi Arabia, Mambury Njie, praised the good conduct of Gambian community members and their adherence to laws. He affirmed the embassy's continued provision of the necessary consular support and services to them, working to meet their needs and enhance communication between them and state institutions.