Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice President and secretary of state for Women's Affairs has said that the peace and stability, as well as the development of The Gambia, can only be guaranteed by the establishment of efficient and dedicated security institutions that will complement one another.

VP Njie-Saidy made this remarks last Monday while presenting before NAMs, the Gambia National Security Bill 2008 for amendment. This bill will help to put in place structures that will go to protect The Gambia's national security, prevent and detect crimes of both military and non-military nature and internal security as a developing country.

According to her, this amendment seeks to strengthen The Gambia's national security against military and other related threats adding that the national security of The Gambia is also under threat and measures have to be taken to protect the increasing threat posed to national security in this country. She added that, the scope and magnitude of international terrorism, transnational organised crime such as trafficking in persons, drugs and civils wars and other national security challenges is alarming.

"Therefore, the importance of the agencies listed in the bill cannot be over-emphasised and their creation has been long over due" she said.

She then observed that, the peace and stability, as well as the development of the country, can only be guaranteed by the establishment of efficient and dedicated security institutions that will complement one another and called on NAMs to give support to the amendment.