Tjhe motion for the appoinment of an Independent parliamentary committee to investigate whether Yahya Jammeh knew about lifting of crude oil between The Gambia and Nigeria Government between 1996 and 1998 has beeb rejected by members of the APRC ruling party but the opposition bench have done a very good job.I thank them for a job well done.Now it is left with every Gambia to reason out and know the truth. January 1997,brought about a new hope for a bright future ;for the gambian people;a future characterized by the rule of law.However,it is now abundantly clear that this hope is being continuously shattered by Government's persistent violation of the constitution .The United Democratic Party {UDP} has exposed in very clear terms these violations and upon the APRC Government to ensure that approprioate remedial actions be taken.The UDP believes that the National Assembly should have assert its independence and abide by the constitution both in letter and spirit.However,this has not happened.The recent misguided acts by members of the APRC which are designed to stifle the genuine debate of matters of National interest raised by UDP member for western Jarra and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly,in accordance with the constitution and standing orders,is empowered to institute proper checks and balances to ensure democratic rule,good governmance and respect for human rights.The absence of such checks and balances will bring about disregard for transparency and accountability leading to anarchy. In compliance with the provisions of section 101 of the constitution and the existing standing orders, and in the spirit of tranparency ,accountability and probity as part and parcel of good governance,UDP member-Kemesseng Jammeh submitted to the clerk of the National Assembly a copy the above mentioned motion for inclusion in the agenda of sitting of the National Assembly in which D38,426,900.20 was realised from the crude oil proceeds and the proceeds were remitted in Swiss Bank number J36650-7c. Inview of all the above startling revelations,which were made in court of law, the UDP which is genuinely committed to accountability,strongly believes that these irregular transactions must be brought before the National Assembly so that aproper investigative mechanism is instituted in the spirit of public accountability. APRC members by rejecting this motion,the independence and crebility of the APRC National Assembly members is seriously being compromised and demonstrate once again the ruling party lack of commitment to its own slogan of transparency and accountability.In disallowing questions and motions at will,the ruling members and speaker have started the process of reducing the legislative into a rubber stamping institution.Of course the syphoning of this huge amount of money without due regard for established procedures is certainly a matter of public concern. Long live democracy; short live dictatorship; Saihou ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------