The Ministry of Interior on Monday organized a five days forum to review Private Security Companies Act and the training manual for private security Guards, held at the Gambia Police Force Cooperative Credit Union Hall in Kanifing.

The Forum aims at bringing together relevant stakeholders to review and develop the private security company act and training manual to conform to international standards and best practice.

The review of the Act will enable the Ministry of Interior to adequately oversee, Monitor and regulate operations, activities of the private security companies in the country.

In her Opening remarks, Fanta B.S Manneh, Deputy P.S Ministry of Interior on behalf of the Minister said: private security companies are involved in provision of range of services, from risk analysis to close protection of individual and strategically vital installations and locations within the regions.

“Today’s function is very significant to come together as security community to share and exchange ideas or perceptions about the best practical models of international standards as contributions to developing this important legal regulatory framework,” she added.

She also said: given such significant remarks about PSCs in the development roles, the Ministry of Interior deems it obligatory to invite stakeholder security community to support with reviewing and developing such a regulatory framework and its training manual accordingly. “This will aim at enhancing administrative and oversight monitoring and coordination of operations of PSCs in effective and efficient manners.”

However, Sanna Janneh, Superintendent of Police Officer in charge of PSC, mentioned that the ministry deems it fitting to look at these two documents and make sure they recognize international standards and best practices. Adding that, the ministry of interior is very confident that this gathering is having experts to look at this very important document and make sure justices is done to them.

“We have to look at our act very critically and look at certain things that we feel are missing to make it very effective in execution of its duties. We also have to look at the training manual and make sure our people in uniform who will be going to serve as private security guards get the best practices, training and skills,” Janneh said.

 

By Dawda Baldeh