Siffoe Police Station was last Thursday inaugurated by the minister of Interior and NGO Affairs, Ousman Sonko, in Siffoe in the Kombo South District  of Western Region.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Yankuba Sonko, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) said since the advent of the July 22nd Revolution, the security service has received and continued to receive support from government under the able leadership of President Jammeh. Security, he said is a prerequisite for national development; that without peace and stability, there can be no meaningful development.

"The president attaches great importance to the security of this nation; the government and security agencies cannot do it alone. It is incumbent upon all individuals to contribute in any meaningful way to ensuring that the peace and tranquility we enjoy in this country is maintained and jealously safeguarded. This is the only way we can complement government's effort," IGP Sonko remarked.

He went on: "As the population increases, the need to establish more police stations becomes obvious, for it is our primary responsibility to protect lives and properties within the community". According to him, the security forces depend on information to efficiently and effectively execute their duties and responsibilities.IGP Sonko also disclosed that the newly inaugurated station and other stations and posts recently inaugurated in various parts of the country were all constructed by the Police Engineering Unit.

In his inaugural statement, Ousman Sonko, the minister of Interior and NGO Affairs, indicated that his ministry attaches great importance to security matters. He said the ministry will continue to provide the necessary logistics and moral support to the police and other security agencies in the country, to ensure that the Gambian people and other nationals residing in the country carry out their daily activities in a crime-free environment. According to him, the ministry has recently embarked on a restructuring and reform process in the police. This, once approved, he added will focus on leadership and professional training for a more decentralised police force that will make easy entry for talented individuals. "Government has also taken concerted steps in making the police force more mobile and accessible to all; it will surely improve police service delivery to the people and communities they serve," he remarked.

Sonko noted that the community must be involved in crime prevention and apprehension of offenders, as police cannot be everywhere at every time. "The police and other security services in the country depend on timely and vital information to help combat crimes. This can be only available with the cooperation of the community," he pointed out.He went on: "Criminals live and operate within our neighbourhoods. It is important to share information regarding the hideouts of criminals, their modus operandi within members of security forces for timely intervention, among other issues," the Interior and NGO Affairs minister further remarked.

Minister Sonko warned that the security agencies in the country will not spare anyone or have mercy in their drive to fight against drugs and corruption. He called on all to give the police and other security services their support to prevent, detect and apprehend people with ill-intentions for the country.Others speakers included: Chief Superintendent Amanita Ndure, commissioner of police in Western Region; and Paul Mendy, National Assembly member for Kombo South, who all made similar sentiments.The occasion was attended by the paramount chief, Alhaji Demba Sanyang; National Assembly members; security chiefs; women groups and cultural troupes.Superintendent Sulayman Secka, the police PRO chaired the occasion.