President Adama Barrow has strongly condemned irregular migration, insisting that Gambians have access to regular meals and should not risk their lives on dangerous journeys abroad.

Speaking at the sixth anniversary celebration of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in Mamuda village, Barrow said no one in The Gambia goes a full day without eating.

“There is nobody in The Gambia who does not eat throughout the day. People eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper,” he said.

The president questioned claims of extreme hardship often cited by those who embark on irregular migration, noting that some young people abandon their jobs to take the risky route.

Barrow said addressing irregular migration, locally known as the “Backway”,
requires concrete action, announcing plans to work with both government and opposition parties to conduct nationwide sensitisation on its dangers.

He urged that the issue should not be politicised, describing it as a national crisis that disproportionately affects young people.

He also warned individuals who facilitate or encourage irregular migration that they would face severe punishment, including life imprisonment at Mile 2 Central Prison.

The president concluded that irregular migration has damaged The Gambia’s international image and offers no benefit to national development.