As Gambians arrive in droves to visit families in December, the country’s only airport is struggling to process passengers. Visitors are complaining about the delay in paying the D1000 airport levy for arriving and departing passengers, collection of baggage and security control via the X-ray machines.
Arriving passengers on Tuesday evening have had to endure long wait times as only a single X-ray machine was operational. GunjurOnline understands that one of the X-ray machines was not being used due to capacity and the number of arriving passengers that does not warrant the use of both machines. As can be seen in these photos, the second X-ray machine should have been used to expedite the processing of arriving passengers in a very humid and hot environment.
Given that the airport recently underwent a multi million Dalasis renovation, the standards have fallen short of expectations.
Furthermore, there is apparent corruption by airport officials who bend the rules by circumventing the immigration, health, custom controls. Officials are seen picking up their friends, family or those who are willing to give money bypass the long queues in very hot and dangerous health conditions to be ushered through the controls.
The country’s main airport must do better!!