>From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue >Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:37:05 +0000 > > > > > >Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue > >Issue No. 61/2006, 4-6 August, 2006 > >Editorial > >THE PRESIDENT, IEC AND THE OPPOSITION > >The person appointed Chairman of the IEC has been sworn in. In our last >issue we published a letter from the NADD flagbearer indicating that the >IEC could not make any valid decision until it had a sworn Chairman. A >constitutional amendment would also be necessary to create the post of >Deputy Chairperson to act in the absence of the Chairperson. During the >swearing in ceremony the President made remarks touching on the conduct of >the IEC and the opposition. > >It is important to point out that the motto of the IEC is fair play, >integrity and transparency. The IEC however has disenfranchised Gambians >who have a right to vote because of the shortage of films. It has been >categorically stated by an IEC official that those people will not be >allowed to be registered. Is this fair play? It is not. If anybody makes >this an issue could that person be accused of dictating to the IEC. No! The >IEC should abide by its motto, then it will not make the type of mistakes >that would warrant any criticism from the camp of the government or the >opposition. What is rather strange in the Presidents’ speech is the mention >of money given to the IEC to buy films. He told the IEC “You cannot take my >money that is meant for public interest and think that I will not ask how >it is >spent. I did it so that it could be used by IEC for films to be bought.” >The Chairman of the IEC needs to call a press conference and explain what >this money is all about. The IEC should have access to the 120 million >dalasis reserved for electoral purposes. We need explanation why the >President had to finance the IEC in his personal capacity. > >Furthermore, the President indicated that the if the minority wants to >provoke the majority he will give them more than enough, that the minority >will not dictate how elections are to be held in this country. He claimed >that an SoS was stoned during the Kombo East by election and the >provocation was not condemned by the foreign embassies. He warned that if >provocations happen in the coming election he will set an example that the >whole world will live to remember in the next 1000 years. He said the IEC >should not receive instructions from foreign embassies. > >Foroyaa’s advice to the President is that there is an inter- party >committee set up by the MOU which should be utilized to resolve inter party >differences. A nation that is heading towards election within two months >does not need words of antagonism. > >We are convinced that The Gambian people will go through this election to >cast their votes without fear to make their choice. > >The opposition are also expected to elevate themselves to the level of >statesmen and women who tell the people what they intend to do to change >their conditions rather than trade antagonistic words with their opponents. >Gambia has changed for good. We expect this year’s campaign will be unique >in African history. > > > > > >THE NADD AND UDP/NRP VIEWS ON UNITY > >Even though the views of the two Alliances are different, forces are at >work to influence the two sides to work to reconcile their differences. > >Will they succeed or will they not? > >That is the question. > >Below are three letters in the issue. > >UDP/NRP ALLIANCE PROPOSAL FOR A COMMON FRONT BY ALL OPPOSITION PARTIES IN >THE SEPTEMBER 2006PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS > >It is within the spirit of our common objective to bring about a change of >the present status quo in The Gambia and restore genuine democracy, >freedom, rule of law and real economic development that we take this >initiative to invite you to discuss and agree on a proposal to establish a >common front in order to contest and hopefully win the 2006 presidential >elections. > >You will recall that Mr. Ousainou Darboe and Amadou Taal had met with Hon. >Halifa Sallah of NADD to discuss acceptable arrangements towards a united >front of the opposition in the 2006 presidential elections and the 2007 >National Assembly Elections. These discussions were supposed to continue >after each side had consulted with its Executive Committee for endorsement. > >We in the UDP/NRP Alliance have since had a meeting of our joint National >Executive Committee. The joint Executive Committee has mandated Mr. Darboe >to pursue the discussions with NADD as quickly as possible. We have since >been waiting to hear from Hon. Halifa Sallah so that discussions could >resume. > >The membership of UDP/NRP Alliance and NADD are well conscious of the fact >that the elections are just around the corner and there is not much time at >our disposal. In view of the time constraint the UDP/NRP Alliance formally >invites you to consider the following proposals for a united front of >opposition parties and these are: > >1) The UDP/NRP Alliance be expanded to include NADD > >2) ‘That the new Alliance adopts a single flag bearer to contest the > >2006 presidential elections. > >3) That the whole activities of the elections be governed by the dictates >of the present Constitutions. > >4) That the issue of allocating portfolios and responsibilities be shelved >and that the Alliance concentrates on the principles of regime change which >will ultimately lead to a system change. > >5) That after the elections and provided that the expanded Alliance wins >the elections arrangements be made for organizing a National Constitutional >Review Conference within a period of three months after the National >Assembly Elections. > >6) The recommendations of the Conference will be the subject of a >referendum and thereafter be submitted to the National Assembly for >adoption and ratification. > >It is our belief that only the Gambian people can determine how the affairs >of this country should be administered and all other actors are to abide by >the dictates and the will of the people. > >It is in this regard that we take serious cognizance of the efforts and the >initiatives of the Gambians in the diaspora as well as groups of concerned >Gambians resident within the country. Both have been making tremendous >efforts to ensure that the opposition remains a united front and to contest >the presidential elections under one umbrella. > >Mr. Hamat Bah who was on a recent visit to the USA met with Gambians who >emphasized and reiterated their concern to foster unity within the >opposition. The same trend is currently being pursued by a group of >concerned Gambians representing all works of life within the country. This >group has met Hon. Halifa Sallah, Mr. Hamat Bah and the undersigned and >all promised to make all efforts for the creation of a united front against >the present regime. > >Finally, we believe that we should meet at your earliest convenience so >that our agreement can be reached as soon as possible given that we have >very limited time for the September 2006 elections. > >(OUSAINOU DARBOE FOR UDP/NRP ALLIANCE) > >Halifa’s letter to Darboe > >OBSERVATIONS BEFORE NADD’S RESPONSE > >I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 27th July 2006. > >History has placed on our shoulders exceptional responsibilities which we >have to carry with honesty, sincerity and objectivity. During our informal >discussion I had indicated to you that if we fail to do what is demanded by >our times and circumstances history will indict all of us; that I, Halifa >Sallah, have no ambition to seek political office for its sake; that I >accepted to be flag bearer in answer to the call of duty; that I will not >hesitate to relinquish the responsibility if it is demanded by the call of >destiny. > >It is therefore necessary to convey my personal opinion to you before >transmitting the position of the Executive Committee of NADD. First and >foremost, it is important to recall that our discussion started as an >informal one. Viewpoints were expressed, confidentiality sought and a plan >of action proposed. > >A summation of my views is necessary to put the record straight. I >indicated that, when we first met to discuss about unity among the >opposition we had the option to unite around one party and its leader to >contest the 2006 presidential election or create an umbrella party and >select a flagbearer to serve as a unifying factor. I emphasized that we >created NADD because no party or leader at the time could have served as >our unifying factor, on the basis of his/her personal and party’s strength. > >I stressed that the equality advocated by NADD provided the basis for its >collective ownership by all parties. It was envisaged that such collective >ownership will motivate all the supporters of the various parties to >support NADD candidates. NADD therefore provided the basis for support >irrespective of gender, party, tribe or other affiliations. I added that >NADD has been tested and what may be the problem is the person selected as >flagbearer. I emphasized that if any body could be found who could better >serve as a unifying factor I will be willing to step aside for the >person to be a flag bearer. You also expressed your opinion. > >After hearing your opinion we decided to move into some concrete issues. >Here again, I reiterated that unlike NADD the UDP/NRP Alliance has not >elaborated on a Memorandum of Understanding that spells out its strategic >objectives and basis of unity. On the other hand NADD makes it very clear >that a transitional arrangement should follow the ousting of the APRC >regime characterized by collective leadership, a five year transitional >mandate for the president, constitutional, administrative and legal reform >and the creation of a level ground for the subsequent presidential >election. I indicated to you that the NADD >Memorandum explains how a flagbearer can be selected by consensus or a >primary. On the other hand I pointed out that the UDP/NRP alliance has not >worked out these details. > >We finally agreed that your alliance will seek to formulate a proposal to >be placed side by side to the NADD arrangement for discussion by the >Executive of the two alliances. Immediately after our meeting, I came >across a report on what Mr. Hamat Bah had said in the US and forwarded it >to you for clarification as a matter of urgency. > >Mr. Bah stated the following: “We made serious mistakes in our >negotiations. We should not have in the first place accepted equal >representation. That was our mistake. And it was this mistake that led to >the fall out.” > >Mr. Bah added: “I will not disclose the discussions going on at the moment >between the two alliances. But I will tell you we will agree on a >flagbearer. What complicated the negotiations is that NADD wanted >positions, they wanted the cake that is not yet baked. > >“This is the problem. I have made it very clear. I will not endorse anyone >for the flagbearer except Darboe. The president has the mandate of who >will be the vice president and whatever Ousainou will exercise that right. >For now, let’s just file one candidate. We are not going to make any >agreement as to who is to occupy which position. The president will do >that.” > >After the assertion of this uncompromising statement by your partner what >was there to negotiate? Let me ask you these basic questions which the >Executive Committee of NADD wanted me to convey to you for clarification. >Before Mr. Bah went to the US was any negotiation between the Alliances in >progress? The answer must definitely be in the negative. > >Secondly, did we discuss anything dealing with the sharing of positions >which complicated negotiations? Obviously, if no negotiation was in >progress it is equally obvious that nothing dealing with positions, that >could complicate negotiation, could have been a subject of discussion. > >The Executive Committee of NADD wanted me to convey to you that after a >flag bearer was selected by NADD no meeting had ever been convened even by >NADD to talk about the sharing of position. This concept is just part of >spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding. Hence they could not understand >Mr. Bah’s motive for making the unfounded remarks that NADD wanted the >sharing of a cake that is not baked. I decided to withhold the letter that >I should have conveyed to you to request for clarification as to whether >our personal and informal discussion is what was being misconstrued by Mr. >Bah as a negotiation. I decided to withhold the letter until I could give >further information to the NADD Executive >Committee because of a call I received from Mr. Musa Sanneh indicating that >Mr. Bah had assured them that he would pioneer the necessary momentum to >put an end to any misunderstanding and facilitate a conducive environment >for negotiation. Of course we have not heard from Mr. Bah since he came >back. > >Mr Darboe, you will agree with me that given the categorical remarks made >by your partner that your Alliance will not enter into any alliance that >guarantees equal representation during negotiations I was right to stop all >discussions to avoid giving any legitimacy to incorrect notions propagated >by your him in the USA. > >We therefore hope that you will now agree for all the correspondence >between the two Alliances to be done in public so that no person will ever >claim to have privileged knowledge and confuse our supporters at home and >abroad. > >The NADD Executive Committee asked me to convey to you that it is not >interested in any alliance that will not guarantee the sovereign equality >of all member parties. > >Now that you have written a proposal to the NADD Executive it will convey >an appropriate and timely response. I hope you will give a copy of your >letter to NADD to the group of Gambians who are currently serving as a >catalyst to the negotiation. I will give them a copy to start the process >of transparency and accountability for all our actions for posterity. > >Yours in the service of the Nation, > >Halifa Sallah. > > > >NADD’s Letter to UDP/NRP Alliance > >ON THE PROPOSAL OF THE UDP/NRP ALLIANCE > >Your memorandum dated 27th July 2006 on the above mentioned subject has >been received. The members of the Executive Committee of NADD are fully >conscious of the clarion call of the Gambian people for unity transcending >party, tribal, regional and other affiliations. > >Infact, NADD was founded precisely to make it impossible for the regime to >exploit such differences to win the Presidential election. You would >recall that the discussion regarding the selection of a flag bearer started >in earnest a long time ago. When the first method of reaching a consensus >failed a second method was put in place. If this failed any party could >have recommended for the Chairmen, Chairwomen and Youth Leaders of the >parties in each village or ward to be consulted to do the selection. > >A congress of that nature could have been the starting point of NADD’s >campaign. This would have undoubtedly been a very massive event following >the visit of President Obasanjo who came purposefully to mediate between >NADD and the APRC government. Had such development taken place we would >not have been racing against time. > >Our present predicament therefore is a by product of our division. >Needless to say, your discussion with Halifa Sallah was designed to enable >you to share opinion on the state of the country and the way forward. We >have gathered that the discussion eventually led to proposals to be >considered before negotiation could be initiated. > >The NADD Executive fully endorsed the confidentiality which characterized >the discussion but was later taken aback when Mr. Hamat Bah stated in >categorical terms that the UDP/NRP Alliance will never negotiate on the >basis of equality with other political parties. He claimed that >negotiation was on, that the only thing delaying the negotiation is NADD’s >insistence for the sharing of a cake that is not baked. This polluted the >atmosphere surrounding the discussion compelling Halifa Sallah to issue a >statement to dismiss Mr. Bah’s claim that negotiations were on and that it >was stalled because of differences on the issue of sharing posts. Now that >the necessary clarification is made NADD is willing to consider any >proposal. > >Evaluation Of Your Proposals > >Your first proposal is for the UDP/NRP Alliance to be expanded to include >NADD. The position of the NADD Executive is unequivocal. The executive >members are convinced that after the second round of voting was eliminated >no opposition party or its leader could be promoted to win an election on >the basis of its individual strength. NADD wants the UDP/NRP Alliance to >take note of the current state of their parties. > >It wishes to go on record to affirm that NDAM, NRP, PDOIS, PPP and UDP are >still registered parties in the country; that the registration of NADD was >not designed to kill other political parties and it has not killed other >political parties. That is why the UDP/NRP Executive members who were in >NADD could go back to their original parties as fast as they could write >their signatures. The Executive Committee wishes to reiterate that all the >other Executive Committee members of NADD decided to create this umbrella >party and register it so as to galvanize the collective strength of the >opposition parties to remove the present regime and then give life to each >party to contest the next following election on equal footing on the basis >of its own merit and that of its candidate. > >The creation of NADD cultivated a sense of common ownership that no >alliance around a single party can create. The Executive Committee further >observes that a UDP/NRP/NADD Alliance will not be recognized in law. Any >candidate would have to be under UDP NRP or NADD ticket. Hence your >proposal is considered to take NADD back to square one when the opposition >parties were considering whether to contest the election under an umbrella >party or under the leadership of one of the existing parties. > >It is therefore maintained that the NADD arrangement provides the best >opportunity for collective ownership of the candidate and the campaign >process to guarantee victory. This is the first point. > >Secondly, you propose that the new alliance adopts a single flagbearer to >contest the 2006 presidential election. The Executive Committee of NADD >considers the proposal to be incomplete. It would like to know how the >selection is to be conducted. NADD had established a selection process >based on consensus or voting by party chairmen, chairwomen and youth >leaders. If no mechanism is proposed there is no way the NADD Executive >can make a decision on this matter. > >Thirdly, you propose that the activities of the election be governed by the >present constitution. The Executive Committee does not understand what >this means. The constitution has been amended so many times that it gives >the president monarchical powers. A President now rules without term limit. >The President can appoint and dismiss the Chiefs; dismiss the members of >the IEC and can even dissolve the National Assembly. Are you implying that >the flagbearer should not give commitment on a political platform not to >seek a second mandate or support another candidate in the next following >election? Should we not have a transitional arrangement to curtail the >monarchical powers of the presidency which should >be propagated on our political platforms? Should the flag bearer not be >urged to give commitment in public to combat and uproot such powers that >legitimize impunity? > >This is the corner stone of NADD’s attempt to put an end to self >perpetuating rule. The NADD Executive strongly maintains that this >platform of putting an end to self perpetuating rule and impunity is the >best weapon the opposition has in winning popular support. This is one >platform it has been propagating to the wide approval of the electorate. >How to reverse this process without being accused of being power hungry is >a dilemma we need to give careful consideration to. > >Your fourth proposal is for the alliance to limit itself to regime change >and that the issue of portfolios be shelved. The NADD Executive wishes to >convey that the issue of creating a cabinet based on shared responsibility >by member parties should not be mistaken to be an attempt to share the cake >of power. NADD aims to keep the opposition parties alive and facilitate a >healthy multiparty system after a five year transition by implementing the >policy of collective leadership. > >Nothing is explained why such a general undertaking to operate a government >based on the participation of all member parties and representatives of >civil society should be shelved. The NADD Executive maintains that the >first five years after Jammeh, should be a transition period to genuine >democratic and constitutional rule. All the basic rectification programmes >that should be made should be known to the people, so that no leader will >be able to betray their aspirations without being challenged and removed in >the first five years. It stands to reason that if a future president, >elected on the basis of merit is expected to accept a two term limit why >should >the first president of a post Jammeh government not accept one term to >build the culture of establishing term limits for the presidency? > >The fifth point is for a National Constitutional Review Conference to be >the held within a period of three months after the National Assembly >elections. In our view, the review of a constitution should be done >through civic education programmes designed to enable the people to know >what is in the constitution followed by a nation wide debate on the need >for amendments through the auspices of a constitutional review commission. >This is part of the NADD programme of action. > >Your sixth point is that the recommendations of a national constitutional >conference will be subjected to a referendum and then presented to the >National Assembly. The Executive Committee of NADD considers such a >proposal to be of a general nature. No issue has been raised. It is not >clear whether the recommendations will be transformed into a bill that >would require the approval of the National Assembly before a referendum. >We don’t know what recommendations will touch on the entrenched clauses to >warrant a referendum. Hence there is no point to make a decision on. > >To conclude, allow us to indicate that the best way forward for any party >which thinks that it has the might to remove the APRC regime is to proceed >to do so and ask other parties to support its programme. However if all >opposition parties are convinced that an alliance is the best instrument to >remove the present regime then the NADD arrangement appears to have earned >popular appeal. The flagbearer of NADD has stated in no uncertain term that >he will be ready to vacate the seat in favour of anyone who can be a >unifying factor of all those who are dissatisfied with the existing regime. > >The NADD Executive therefore calls on the UDP/NRP Alliance to do a critique >of the NADD MOU and make recommendations on what to delete to make it >acceptable to them. The NADD Executive will review any recommendation with >objectivity. > >While anticipating a swift and practical response, > >We remain > >Yours in the service of the Nation. > >Halifa Sallah > >For the NADD Executive. > > > > > >GPTC STAFF PENALISED > >By Bubacarr K. Sowe > >The Management of The Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC) have >decided to penalize the Staff who did not participate in the last >nationwide cleansing exercise. > >A memo from the Managing Director to the Personnel Officer reads: “I am by >virtue of the services rule (607) 1, 2 and 3 withdrawing all the >responsibility allowances paid to all those who were absent and are earning >it for not acting in a responsible manner and a day deduction for the rest >of staff in Kanifing as a first measure while I wait for further >instruction.” > >The Managing Director of the GPTC, Momodou A.B Jagne has confirmed the >disciplinary measure taken by the Management. In an interview with Foroyaa >on Thursday, Jagne said it is in accordance with GPTC service rules that >the measure is taken. > >He added that a general circular was issued to inform all workers that >there will be a cleansing exercise at GPTC premises on the 29th of July. > >“This was a call from the highest office for everybody to participate >effectively. Now we have a circular passed, and some of them don’t just >care about the circular. And this is the repercussion,” Mr. Jagne said. > > > > > >DARBOE REBUTS MAJA KO SAMUSAN > >By Fabakary B Ceesay > >Lawyer Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has reacted to >claims made by Majanko Samusa at a recent APRC meeting held in Wellingara. >Below we produce Majanko’s claims and Darboe’s reaction. > >Mr Majanko Samusa, the NCP bigwig has said that the majority of UDP >supporters were drawn from the NCP. > >Mr. Samusa made this remark at a political rally held in Wellingara on >Saturday, 29th July, 2006. He said, the role the NCP played in forming the >majority of UDP supporters could never be questioned. “Kemeseng Jammeh, >Badara Sidibeh and Dembo Bojang all know that it is because of the NCP that >UDP became what it is today,” he told the rally. He pointed out that during >the 1996 and 2001 pools, the vast majority of NCP supporters cast their >votes for Ousainou Darboe and the UDP Party. He challenged the >UDP leader for saying on the papers that the people who defected to the >APRC in Bundung were infact NCP supporters and not U.D.P members. He said >this is an unfortunate statement from Mr. Darboe. Mr Samusa advised Darboe >to withdraw that statement. He also called on all NCP supporters in UDP to >join the APRC, since their party is now in an alliance with APRC. “It was >the NCP supporters who made Ousainou Darboe what he is today in Gambian >politics. “Nobody knows Darboe before 1996 but the NCP made him what he is >today,” he lamented. He cautioned Darboe not to humiliate himself by >contesting the elections, because the NCP supporters are no more behind him >and his >party. The recently nominated member, Majanko Samusa, was a National >Assembly member for the NCP party during the first Republic and has joined >the UDP when his former party was banned from participating in the 1996 >pools. > >In an exclusive interview with this reporter in his office, Ousainou Darboe >refuted the claims made by Majanko Samusa, that NCP supporters constitute >the majority of supporters in his party, the United Democratic Party. > >According to Darboe, Majanko is on a campaign to make statements that will >please the APRC leadership. He said if the majority of the people in the >UDP are NCP supporters, then the last elections would have shown quite >clearly that the UDP would have had a reduced number of votes, when NCP >supporters including Majanko himself decided to go back to their party. >“So I think Majanko’s statement is a false statement and a very misleading >one.” He said Mr. Samusa should be dealing with issues that are affecting >the livelihood of the Gambian People, but not what made Ousainou Darboe to >be popular in Politics. “My >popularity was due to my professional activities, but not my Political >Career. My popularity is not the concern of Gambians, but the quality of >education they want for their Children and the quality of Medical Care that >they received. The issue is not about my popularity or unpopularity, ”Mr. >Darboe pointed out that the people who claimed to defect from UDP to APRC >in Bundung were probably UDP supporters in 1996 but they were surely NCP >supporters. “In 2001 when Sheriff Dibba decided to go on his own, those >people went back to NCP including Majanko himself and I stand by my words,” >Darboe said. Darboe narrated that he did not know of any alliance between >NCP and APRC. He quoted the Majority Leader, Churchill Baldeh as saying >that APRC will not go into an alliance with any party for the coming >Presidential Elections. “May be Samusa is creating an alliance for NCP and >APRC. Samusa should >know that he has been convinced to abandon NCP for APRC. He has been >shifting from one Party to another. He was in NCP then UDP, went back to >NCP and now to APRC. I don’t know what he is advocating for NCP now,” says >Darboe. > > > >FARMERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF D30 MILLION > > > >By Yaya Dampha and Surakata Danso > > Mr. Kaba Jallow of GAMCO has informed this paper that farmers will be paid >by his company, and the amount involved is 30 million dalasis. > >He however refuted claims that the Government has given directives to his >company, asking them to pay farmers. He said GAMCO has sold it’s nuts and >have decided to pay the farmers, noting this is what had delayed the >payment. > >Mr. Jallow further informed Foroyaa that this year, GAMCO bought 27, 000 >tons of nuts which is valued at 130 million dalasis. > >He called on all stakeholders to workout solutions that will increase >groundnut production in the country. He said groundnut production has >dropped from 140, 000 tons to 27, 000 tons. He said the sharp decline in >production is due to the barrenness of the soil. He said fertilizer and >other essential inputs are lacking. > > > > > >“NADD IS UNIQUE” > >Says Waa Juwara > >As the 2006 presidential elections draws closer, Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara, a >veteran Gambian politician, has described NADD as a genuine and a unique >political force in the country, capable of remedying the Socio-economic >ills of the Gambian people, witnessed under this present Government. > >Mr Juwara, an executive member of The National Alliance for Democracy and >Development made this statement during a political rally in Kani Kunda >Tendala, in the North Bank Division. > >Mr Juwara urged the electorate of Kani Kunda Tendala to vote massively for >Halifa Sallah (NADD’S presidential flag bearer) whom he regards as a person >of stable character and of high recognition both in the African continent >and outside. > > The end of the well-attended political rally was marked by the >distribution of information leaflets/ booklets on NADD and the MOU that >established NADD to the people, particularly the youths, who were eager to >grap a copy. > > > >GAF PRO DECLINE TO COMMENT ON BAJINKA’S ABSCONDENCE > >By Yaya Dampha > >Major Kalifa Bajinka, the former ADC to President Jammeh, who is reported >to be on the run after the Security Officers failed in their attempts to >arrest him, is still at large. When this reporter contacted the Gambia >Armed Forces Public Relations Officer, Captain Lamin Gano, on why they want >to arrest Major Bajinka and why his two other brothers from the army and >another from the NIA were arrested, PRO Gano said he could not talk with >the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). He later told our reporter that he had >contacted the CDS and told him what Foroyaa was asking. He said the CDS >told him that they have more important issues to deal with, that they >cannot throw light on a minor issue such as Bajinka’s abscondence. Our >reporter further told him the >importance of his comments on the issue, hence it concerned the lives of >Soldiers. He told our reporter to write whatever his information is and >that he will make his comments any time when they are less busy. > > > >COMPOUNDS FLOODED IN SERREKUNDA > > > >BY Sarjo Camara-Singhateh > >Last Tuesday nights’ rain caused serious destructions in Churchill’s Town >and Serrekunda. The effect was very serious on some living around the >Churchill’s Town high way and on Papa Sarr’s Street close to the taxi park >at Ebony > >This reporter conducted a tour of these inundated areas and took snaps >shots from various points to show the impact on people living within these >areas. > >Speaking to this reporter, a security officer resident in one of the >compounds in the area said that at the start of every rain season, they >have to spend the whole day cleaning the mud and draining the water from >their compounds. The residents of Sanyang Kunda along Papa Sarr Street >expressed similar sentiments. Speaking to this reporter, one Ousman Bah who >said that the compound he lives in belongs to his late sister pointed out >that they do not sleep for the rest of the night after every rainfall, >since the rains started. > >He said that there are three apartments in the compound but each of them >was completely filled with water up to window level and that they have to >find means to get rid of the water. He told this reporter that the newly >constructed road has created a negative impact on their lives, particularly >during their night rests. He said that now their compound is flooded after >every rainfall and there is no adequate draining system in the area. >Speaking to this reporter one Fatou Sarr who also lives on this street; >said that whenever they see cloud forming they have the fear that they will >not sleep well. > >We sit on our beds to wait for the rains to stop, in order for us to empty >our rooms. “Our compound grounds are always filled with water giving us no >place to pass,” she stated. One tailor, who also spoke to this reporter, >indicated that they cannot even pass through their veranda to enter of >their workshop, which is often filled with water. > > > >BCC LABOURERS DEMAND WAGE INCREASE > > > >By Sarjo Camara Singateh > >Labourers working for the BCC have threatened to lay down their tools if >their demands are not met. The demands of the workers are contained in a >petition handed over to the authorities of the council. The said workers >are demanding wage increase and improve working conditions. > >The petition was submitted during a sit-down strike which was caused by a >series of problems that the worker alleged is affecting them. The >Labourers are calling on the Authorise to reinstate the ex-mayor, Pa Sallah >Jeng. The workers alleged that they have been treated badly following the >suspension of Pa Sallah Jeng. > >The spokesperson of the labourers, Mr Lamin Sanyang, said they are faced >with numerous problems; notable among them is their health status. He said >they wrote a letter to Mr Jallow, the cleansing service Manager, for on >ward transmission to the chief Executive officer and the Acting >mayor. > >They said that they are family heads and that their plight needs to be >seriously considered. They said each of them receive six hundred dalasis >as basic salary, noting this amount is pittance compared to the type of job >they are doing for the council. > >One of the workers said he lost one of his eyes when they were constructing >the Gambia High School Mosque, and sustained a cut on his finger, but the >council did not give him anything as compensation. > >They also alleged that they sometimes engaged in jobs that have negative >effect on their health. The angry labourers expressed that the council >gives less attention to their plight. They pointed out that they have been >in the council for a long time, without being staffed. > >Below we produce the petition written by the labourers. > >We the labourers at the cleansing Services of Banjul City Council here by >put our collective concerns of the following conditions, to the council. > >1. The poor wages of D600.00 per month for ten years without any increment. > >2. The poor transport condition that is transporting us to and from Banjul >in a truck that is already used for collecting waste. > >3. That for the last ten years none of us have been staffed; thus working >as daily paid. > >4. That due to the nature of our job our health conditions are not >adequately taken care off. Sir we have now agreed that if the above >condition is not fully addressed by the first of August 2006, we will lay >down tools until such time that they are fully addressed. > >We therefore hope that you will kindly consider the above sad conditions of >ours as family heads. >When contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the said Council, Mr. >Batchilly, told this reporter that what brought about the strike was lack >of communication between the cleansing Service Management and the >labourers. > >He indicated that the Council had already made some adjustments well before >this sit down strike and that it was already approved by the financial >Director. > >He noted that by the end of this month; a 50% increment will be added on >the salary of the affected workers and that all their demands will be put >into consideration. > >He remarked that the sit down strike was illegal because the labourers have >not informed Management 14 days before the strike according to law and that >they did not inform the labour Department. > > > >INDEPENDENT REPORTER’S CRIMINAL CASE > > > >By Fabakary B Ceesay > >The criminal case involving the Independent Newsp > >aper reporter, Lamin M Fatty and the state, continued at the Kanifing >Magistrate Court. Testifying before Principal Magistrate, Kebba Sanyang and >Corporal Lamin Cham, 1838, attached to the Major Crime Unit at the Police >Headquarters said he recognized the accused person. He recalled on the >28th April, 2006, when he went to the NIA office to caution the accused >person in connection to a false publication. He said at the NIA Office, he >introduced himself as a Police Office. He said he then read the cautionary >words to the accused in the presence of other officers in the office. >Officer Cham pointed out that he also read the voluntary statement to the >accused in the presence of an Independent witness by the name Bakary >Ceesay, who lives in Kotu. He said the witness appended his signature on >the statement. According to Cham, he read the statement to the accused and >the witness in English even though he does not know whether the witness is >literate or illiterate, but noted that the witness speaks Mandinka. The >state prosecutor Mballow asked the court for adjournment for the third >prosecution witness to testify. >Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today >it's FREE! > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤