The President Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh on Wednesday received in audience the members of the Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association. The group was led to State House by the Managing Director of Gamtel Katim Touray.

During the meeting, the association presented 6 bags of Sesame seeds to President Jammeh as a token of appreciation for providing them a farm land in a bid to promote food self-sufficiency. Speaking on the occasion Gamtel's Managing Director, Katim Touray lauded the activities of the staff association and urged Gambians to support the initiative of the association. Mr. Touray used the occasion to appeal to the Gambian leader allow his management the opportunity to put its house in order, following fire outbreaks at its headquarters and Brikama branch. He said they will nonetheless cooperate fully with the investigation process by the authorities.

In response Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh consented to the Managing Director's request, noting that his administration will not compromise with saboteurs. President Jammeh said telecommunications is an integral part of national security and Defence, therefore he has taken it upon himself to ensure that Gamtel which was once the best in Africa regains its glory.

Professor Jammeh further urged the management of Gamtel to provide more training and incentive packages for its employees, noting that anyone who does not want to work should leave. He presented a sum of two hundred thousand dalasi to the Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association as ‘salibo'.

President Jammeh thanked the association for their positive contributions to national development and further promised to provide them more farm land for cultivation.

The Vice President Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy also commended the Gamtel/Gamcel Staff Association for its interventions in key sectors such as health, education, women empowerment, and sports among others. She said that despite the strong competition, Gamtel and Gamcel are striving to excel, and government would continue to give them the necessary support.

The Secretary of State for Communications, Information and Information Technology Fatim Badgie-Janneh also applauded the unique contributions of the Gamtel/Gamcel staff to national development.