By Makutu Manneh
The Gambia Immigration Department has denied reports that it has lost access to national identity card data, saying the servers used during the SEMLEX contract remain in the country and the records are accessible.
In a press release, the department said the reports, which circulated on some media platforms, stemmed from a misunderstanding of a staff member’s responses to questions about identity card verification during court proceedings.
The department said it continues to comply with the Access to Information Act of 2021 and has responded on numerous occasions to national and international requests to verify Gambian identity documents, including biometric and machine-readable passports.
It urged the public to rely on accurate, verifiable information, warning that unfounded claims could undermine confidence in the management of national identity records and cause unnecessary concern about the protection of sensitive data.
“The Gambia Immigration Department remains committed to safeguarding the legal identity of Gambians and foreign nationals within its mandate and protecting the integrity of national identity records,” the statement said.
The department added that it would continue to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with applicable laws, government policies and its institutional mandate.
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