Customs officer in row over humanitarian materials

http://www.observer.gm/artman/publish/article_1166.shtml

By Bakare Muritala
Feb 26, 2004, 14:18


Materials for the Nyakoi Nursery schools in Bundung and Ebo Town,
Latrikunda Lower Basic and two other schools were recently seized by a
Customs officer at the Banjul International Airport.
The goods, mainly second hand shoes, clothes and sports gear were seized by
a Customs officer, Yahya Janneh after a thorough search.

Engvar Ohisson, a Swedish national who annually assists Gambian students
and schools complained of the seizure of the charity materials. Explaining
his ordeal, Mr Ohisson said his friend, Lamin went to the airport to
receive the materials on his behalf. “After the officers at the Customs
department checked the cartons and were satisfied with their search, he was
told to leave. But, on his way out of the airport, he was called by one of
the senior officers, Yahya Janneh who demanded that the cartons be checked
again,” he said.

“Lamin complied with the officer. But, Janneh, after contented with the
search, asked Lamin to put them back in the cartons which he (Lamin)
refused. Lamin insisted he won’t put them back since he is not the one who
brought them out. This caused a little row among them and I guess that
infuriated the officer to look for excuses for seizing the baggages until
they are being paid for, before realeased,” he explianed.

Mr Ohisson who for more than six years brought educational and humanitarian
materials to The Gambia, said he has never paid any money for clearance
before and said he has other materials which he was afraid to bring to The
Gambia since these ones are not yet released.
Yahya Janneh, the alleged official, said he felt the materials are dutiable
and wouldn’t release them until they are paid for. But, Mr Mikhail Secka,
head of security at the Kololi Beach Hotel and a partner to Ohisson
said “We’ve been recieving these materials through the Airport for many
years now and these are purely for Gambian schools. Nothing is going to be
sold from this and I see no reason why they are been siezed. I can even
show you pictures of the previous donated materials.”

The director of Customs, Kaba Tambajang, referred this reporter to the
Customs supervisor at the airport, James Johnson who was not available for
comment. The director however said that if the materials are for the
schools, they can always get letters from the head of the schools
indicating the materials are for them but insisted that the supervisor will
be able to resolve the issue if contacted.
Amie Sillah proprietress of Nyakoi Nursery Schools, confirmed that the
Swedish, Ohisson through Mikhail Secka has been assisting the
school. “They’ve been bringing second hand shoes, clothes to assist the
children,” she said. She expressed hope that the materials will be released
as they are solely for Gambian children.

© Copyright 2003 by Observer Company

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