Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has announced the resumption of driver’s license production after several months of disruption due to contractual disputes. Applicants who applied for licenses between March and June 2024 are now advised to collect their documents from GPF licensing outlets in Banjul and Kanifing.

The interruption in the issuance of driver’s licenses and national identification (ID) cards dates back to November 2023, when the Gambian government informed the public that its contract with Semlex Group SA, a Belgian firm responsible for the production of biometric ID cards and related documents, had expired. The contract, initially signed on July 17, 2018, had reached its conclusion, prompting a temporary suspension in the issuance of these critical national documents as negotiations for a renewal were underway.

The suspension was briefly lifted before being reinstated in March 2024, following a stalemate in the renegotiation process between the Gambian government and Semlex. The impasse caused significant inconvenience for many Gambians, particularly those in urgent need of identification documents for travel, business, and legal purposes.

The resumption of driver’s license production marks a significant step towards resolving the backlog that had accumulated during the months-long suspension. The GPF’s statement reassures applicants who have been waiting since March that they can now collect their licenses without further delay.

The broader implications of the contractual disputes between the Gambian government and Semlex have raised concerns about the sustainability of the country’s document production systems. Many citizens have called for a more transparent and efficient process for managing national identification services to avoid future disruptions.

For now, the GPF is urging applicants to visit the licensing centers in Banjul and Kanifing to collect their documents. The restoration of these services is expected to ease the pressure on both the authorities and the public, as they work to address the backlog and restore normalcy in the issuance of driver’s licenses and ID cards in The Gambia.