The president of the Republic, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, has again renewed his call for Gambians to take charge of the country's resources with particular reference to the territorial waters which are been exploited by foreigners.

The president also urged Gambians to jealously safeguard the country's fisheries resources, stressing that Fisheries is the only sector that one can earn over two million dalasis from on weekly bases. "But unfortunately Gambians are not readily coming up to take responsibility for the sector," President Jammeh said.

"Issue fishing licenses to the qualified people," he told Antouman Saho, the minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, during the swearing-in ceremony of the latter as a cabinet member, at an occasion held at the cabinet room at State House in Banjul. According to the president, like any other ministry, the ministry of Fisheries is a very significant arm of the country. But he regretted the fact that it has over the years seen people looking low upon it.

President Jammeh told Hon. Saho that his ministry should be able to coordinate and protect the country's marine resources. "Foreigners have been using wrong fishing nets in our rivers which will no longer be allowed," the president said, adding that it is up to Gambians to decide whether they will utilise the sector and eat fish or whether they will be sitting in their homes. "But," he said, "the sector will not be occupied by foreigners who have been devastating our fish stock by illegal fishing."  

The Gambian leader then told Minister Saho that having been a part of the Navy at some point, he should be conversant with all the laws and regulations that govern the fisheries sector. "Nobody should be given fishing license if they do not insure their trawlers," he warned. President Jammeh then commended the newly sworn-in minister for accepting his offer, and he assured him of his government's full support at all times.

While calling on people to always do the right thing, the president told Antouman Saho that cabinet members are one family who are all working for the development of the country. In response, Minister Saho thanked the Gambian leader for the trust bestowed in him andremarked that the president is the beacon of hope for the country's development. He promised to deliver, as expected of him. Present at the swearing-in ceremony were ministers and the secretary general and head of the civil service, Abdoulie Sallah.