FYI >From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue >Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:22:35 +0000 > > > >Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue > >Issue No. 63/2006, 9-10 July, 2006 > > > >Editorial > >It Is Unconstitutional To Subject IEC Commissioners To Police Or NIA >Enquiry > >The reports FOROYAA that Mr. Ndondi Njie, Mr. Ebrima Sanneh and Mr. >Sulayman Mboob are being subjected to interrogation by law enforcement >agents are quite alarming. The former IEC Commissioners are accused of >misconduct. > >The constitution does not want the Executive to interfere with the work of >the Commission. It does not want the members of the Commission to be >arrested any time while performing their duties. The Constitution wants the >Executive to respect the independence and impartiality of the Commission. > >This is why it says under section 43(3): “In the exercise of its functions >under the constitution or any other law, the Commission shall not be >subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.” What >should happen when the members of the Commissison are accused of >misconduct? > >According to section 42(6)(c) before being even removed from office for >one’s misconduct, “The President shall appoint a tribunal of three judges >of a Superior Court to inquire into the matter and report on the facts. A >member of the Commission shall be entitled to appear and be legally >represented before the tribunal.” > >Nothing is more derogatory to the office of Chairman and Commissioner of >the Independent Electoral Commission than to treat them like common >criminals while allegations of misconduct are under investigation. > >We call on the President to constitute the tribunal if he indeed has >information that the ex-members of the Commission are involved in >misconduct. We also call on the IEC Chairman to investigate and nullify any >electoral practice that emanates from whatever misconduct is alleged and >proven. > >The Executive must not be a complainant, prosecutor and judge at the same >time. It should not punish or threaten to punish. It should allow the law >to take its course without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. > > > >UDP SUPPORTERS IN COURT > >By Modou Jonga > >Five supporters of the United Democratic Party were on Monday 7th August >2006, arraigned before magistrate S B Tabally for unlawful assault thereby >causing their complainants bodily harm at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court. >Cadet A.S.P Badjie represented the IGP, while the defendants were said to >be represented by Lawyer Jobarteh, who was not present in court. > >According to the first charge sheet, Jerreh Fatty, contrary to section 179 >of the Criminal Procedure Code, on the 15th of May 2006, at Pirang village, >Western Division, was found armed with a cutlass in public. The later >meanwhile pleaded not guilty to the first charge. Secondly, Jerreh Fatty, >according to the second charge sheet, on the 15th May 2006, at Pirang >village, assaulted one Lanuri Secka. When the charge was read to him, the >defendant pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, the accused was granted bail in >the sum of D30, 000 (thirty thousand dalasis) with one Gambian surety with >a correct contact address. > >In the same courtroom, Lamin R Darboe (the UPD candidate in the Kombo East >by- election) and Buba Darboe were also charged for assault. According to >the particulars of offence, the second accused Buba Darboe was charge for >assaulting one Kawsu Gibba, thereby causing him bodily harm. When the >charge sheet was read to him (the accused) he pleaded not guilty. He was >granted bail in the sum of D20, 000 (Twenty thousand dalasis) and the >person to bail him should provide a Gambian ID Card and a correct contact >address. > >Thirdly Maimuna Jobarteh was also charged for unlawfully assaulting one >Sainabou Touray, thereby causing her bodily harm. The accused person >pleaded not guilty. She was granted bail in the sum of D20, 000 (Twenty >thousand dalasis) with one Gambian surety who has an ID card and a correct >contact address. > >Lastly, Momodou Demba pleaded guilty to the assault charge preferred >against him. According to the particulars of the offence, the accused, >unlawfully assaulted one Awa Jatta. He was however granted bail in the sum >of D10, 000 (ten thousand dalasis) with one Gambian surety who has an ID >card and a valid contact address. The case was adjourned to the 17th August >2006 for hearing. > > > >DETAINED NIA OFFICERS RELEASED > >By Yaya Dampha > >The three detained National Intelligence Officers who were arrested and >detained at the Mile 2 Central Prison following the escape of the former >ADC to the president, Major Bajinka, have been released with conditions >attached. The arrested OCs includes Bamba Manneh, Samba Sowe and Nuru >Secka. > >According to the families of the detained officers, the 3 OCs were arrested >since the 22nd of July2006. Sources close to the NIA informed Foroyaa that >the three NIA Officers were among the team of officers who were sent to >arrest Major Bajinka and failed to do so. > >When contacted, the family members of one of the officers confirmed the >release of their loved ones. They further informed Foroyaa that the >officers were asked to stay at home. However, it is not clear why they were >asked to stay away from work. > > > >NDONDI NJIE AND OTHERS RELEASED > >By Yaya Dampha > >The Former Chairman of the IEC, Mr. Ndondi Njie and two other commission >members, namely Sulayman Sait Mboob and Ebrima Sanneh, were arrested by the >National Intelligence Agents last Wednesday. They were all arrested after >being sacked. Readers would recall that when the new IEC Chairman, Mustapha >Carrol, was taking oath the President told the nation that he had given his >money to the IEC to buy films for the supplementary registration of voters. >The President claimed that the IEC boss had mismanaged that money. The >President did not say how much he gave to the IEC. However, during the last >budget speech, Gambians were told that the amount of one hundred and twenty >million dalasis was allocated to the IEC for them to be able to carry out >their functions. When contacted, the NIA Officer refused to talk to >FOROYAA. FOROYAA was been reliably informed that the three former IEC >Senior Officers were later transferred to the Serious Crimes Unit of the >Police where they were detained for two days before being released on >Monday night. Our efforts to speak to the Police Public Relations Officer >on why the three were arrested and on what conditions they were released, >proved futile. > > > >FUEL SHORTAGE HITS BASSE AND SURROUNDING > >Reports reaching Foroyaa indicate that Basse and the surrounding villages >have been experiencing fuel shortage. This, according to our sources, is >because of the high demand for both petrol and diesel fuels, as a result of >the increasing number of motorcycles and household generators being used as >the people’s main source of electricity. > >In an Interview with a petrol station manager in Basse, the manager >expressed concern over the shortage of fuel, which according to him, is a >creating both financial and social problems for families in the area. In a >similar interview with another petrol dealer on the Basse Mansajang >Highway, he said the perceptual shortage of the fuel in Basse is a cause >for concern, which he said, needs to be addressed. A local fuel dealer at >the Basse MRC Highway said the shortage of fuel is contributing to the >setback of so many >businesses in the areas. He stated that many businessmen and women in Basse >entirely depend on fuel either directly or indirectly for their daily >source of income. However, when this reporter made a phone call to Basse >before going to press, he was told that a consignment of fuel arrived from >Senegal. > > > >TOURISM AREA FLOODED > >Thousands of Dalasis Lost In Damages > >By Bubacarr K. Sowe > >A heavy down pour of rain in the early hours of Tuesday morning, has left >the Kairaba and Senegambia Hotel, Bars, Restaurants and Offices flooded to >almost window level. The Standard Chartered Bank branch in that area was >also affected. Among the damages at the two major hotels included >computers, chairs, sofas, beds, electronic equipment and several other >items. The wall that borders the Kairaba and Senegambia Hotels, also fell >down because of the water.Abdel Hakim El-Nahry, General Manager of Kairaba >Hotel, said it is too early to assess the level of damage, but that he >believes it will be high. “By seven o’clock in the morning, it was not >possible to see the garden. The water level was so high that it reached the >electric plugs and I am >sure, most of our computers and telephone lines have been affected. A wall >was knocked down by the storm.” Mr. El-Nahry told Foroyaa. > >Memunata Junisa, Human Resources Manager at the Kairaba Hotel said that >their stores, hall and conference rooms, guest rooms including the >Presidential block were seriously flooded. Madam Junisa indicated that in >most part of the hotel, the water level was above one metre, blocking most >toilets. The hotel’s swimming pool was turned into a stream. “All our staff >were called to come on board to clear the mud and pushed the water back. >Most of our computers and equipment got wet. We have to turn off the >electricity for safety, because everything was wet,” Junisa told our >reporter. > >At the Senegambia Hotel, the same picture emerged. A staff at the hotel >said that more than twenty glass doors were broken by the surging water. > >A manager who beg for anonymity said that inadequate drainage at the hotels >area could be the cause of the floods. “The way the drainage is designed in >this area is not good,” the man said. Another manager said: “There was >serious flooding in all the offices and the reception area. The water was >between fifteen to seventy centimeters high and in some areas it was up to >a metre. We had to call all workers to come. > >The rooms in the garden and all the shops were affected.” The staff added >that they cannot presently assess the level of damage, since it is so >prompt. > >However, an eye witness to the scene has indicated that the damages in the >two major hotels and surrounding shops and bars, will amount to hundreds of >thousands of dalasis. > >A British Photographer, Haward Pain who took several shots in the affected >areas, said that the beach was eroded. > >Diana Bolton and Lyn Grant, both British school teachers on holidays at the >Kairaba Hotel said most of their belongings were soaked in the flood waters >but showed gratitude to the hotel staff for taking care of them during the >flood. > >Another area seriously affected is the Wedad’s Building which houses the >Standard Chartered Bank, MJ Financial Services, Palm Real Estate and the >Chinese restaurant. The Wedad generator room was also one metre deep in >water. Alagi Gaye, a security guard at the Standard Chartered Bank said >that their bank also suffered a minor flood last season. > >The Gambia Tourism Authority has attributed the flood to poor drainage.” >This is a natural disaster. The drainage system is inadequate and we will >jointly work this out,” said Amadou Ceesay, Acting Director General of >G.T.A. > >However, Foroyaa has learnt that a meeting between the GTA, the Kairaba and >Senegambia Hotels was held on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the floods that >hit the area. > > > > > >FLOOD IN EBOTOWN AREA > >By Annia Gaye > >Heavy rain has caused serious flood in Ebo Town. The rain which lasted for >more than two hours has destroyed several compounds and roads in the area. >On Tuesday evening, the downpour that was accompanied by thunder left >several people struggling to empty their compounds which were inundated >with water. > >Speaking to some of the compound owners, Mr. Alhagie Marega said that the >water flooded all their houses. He said that all this happened because the >road constructors did not provide gutters that would allow the free flow of >water to the creek. He thanked God that no life was lost during in the >terrible floods but said that many of their materials perished. > >He called on government to give a helping hand to them and empty gutters so >that the water can flow freely through. > >Jerreh Ceesay an old man, whose compound was seriously destroyed, said the >inundation brought down the fence of his compound and is presently >undermining the foundation of his house, where it dug a big hold. > >He stated that he has lived in that place for over a decade but had never >seen a disaster like that. “We put sand bags by the house to avoid further >erosion there,” he said. Yankuba Bah, a shopkeeper, also said that the >water has entered his shop and destroyed many items like rice, soap, and >many other commodities. > >Many victims of the flood, who spoke to this reporter, expressed similar >sentiments. Infact in some compounds, the water rose to a meter high. The >mark could be seen on the alls of the houses. The people bitterly >criticised the road constructors. > > > >FISHERMEN BEMOAN HIGH ENERGY COST > >Bubacarr K. Sowe > >Fishermen engaged in large scale fishing have complained that the high cost >of electricity is making them unable to compete with fishermen in the >neighbouring Countries. > >The fishermen made these statements on Friday at the Sun Beach Hotel in >Bakau during a meeting organised by the Gambia-European Commission >Cooperation. > >“The high cost of energy makes us unable to compete with fishermen in >Senegal or in other countries,” said the fishermen. Another one added: >“Ghanaian and Senegalese fishermen are building storey buildings. They are >not poor as us.” > >However, the construction of infrastructures such as landing sites was >another aspect that the fishermen pointed out as among their need. > >The Director of Fisheries, Abiatou Njie, said that a fishing port will be >established soon and ICE plants have been built in Bakau, Tanji, Banjul and >Gunjur. > >Mr. Njie also expressed shock over a scene he witnessed in which a large >amounts of bonga fish was dumped back into the water due to lack of market >or proper handling. > > > >DARBOE REBUTS FJC AND BALA > >Fabakary B Ceesay > >The Leader of the UDP/NRP Alliance, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, has countered >the claims made by Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay and SOS Bala Garba Jahumpa at a >recent APRC rally held in Wellingara. > >Nominated Member Fatoumata Jahumpa has challenged the UDP/NRP leader to >take heart and join the APRC. She reminded Darboe of his congratulatory >message to President Jammeh after the October 2001 polls in which the >UDP/NRP leader conceded defeat to President Jammeh. “So why be an >opposition to the president still?” She asked Darboe. She noted that one >day the UDP/NRP leader will finally join the APRC and rally behind >President Jammeh. > >Addressing the same gathering, SOS Bala Garba Jahumpa blamed Mr. Darboe for >castigating the president on the vehicles he brought to host other guests >during the African Union Summit {AU). He said that Darboe attacked Jammeh >for buying expensive Vehicles. “I think Darboe wanted the highly respected >personals to be carried by “gele geles” (large commercial vehicles),” he >said. > >Granting an interview with this reporter, Mr. Darboe brushed aside the >claims made by Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay. Darboe pointed out that the >statement from FJC shows her level of maturity in politics. >“Congratulating one and accepting the results are a clear manifestation of >the tradition of Democracy,” Darboe stressed. > >On the issue of joining the APRC, Mr. Darboe responded thus: “If the pope >can perform the Hajj, then Ousainou Darboe and the UDP/NRP leadership can >join the APRC party.” > >Mr. Darboe also countered the claims made by SoS Jahumpa with regards to >high cost of vehicles as not issues to dispute over. He said that there >are fantastic Mercedes Benzes and brown new Pajero at the disposal of the >government and that the dignitaries can ride confortably in them. Mr. >Darboe also said that even though he never expected the dignitaries to be >brought by “gele geles”, but that he never expected them to buy those types >of vehicles at the time that the country is suffering economically. Darboe >faulted the government for spending such an extravagant expenditure when >poor Gambian farmers >had their peanuts taken away from them and have not been paid. “The AU >was just a two days affair and we are now saddled with those vehicles. I >think SoS Jahumpa should be modest and honest to the Gambian people, >instead of trivializing issues,” he said. The UDP/NRP leader accepted that >he accepted the guests to be given due respect and be accorded with >facilities, but not those types of facilities that the poor Gambian cannot >give them. He noted that the AU dignitaries were not using those types of >vehicles when they met in Sudan. He asserted that even though >Sudan’s hosting cannot be compared to that of The Gambia. “But people like >SoS Jahumpa will always try to explain the unexplainable and to justify the >unjustifiable,” he said. > >The UDP/NRP flag bearer also shrugged off claims made by Fabakary kolior >Camara, who claimed to be the assistant auditor of the UDP Youth Wing in >Lower River Division (LRD). According to Darboe, he had no knowledge of a >UDP auditor in LRD or an assistant auditor. He said that Mr. Camara is a >political opportunist shifting from party to party. Darboe noted that the >defection of Mr. Camara will have no negative impact on his party as LRD is >already their stronghold. > > > >IMAM TAFSIR GAYE SPEAKS OUT > >By Abdoulie Dibba > >Imam Tafsir Gaye asserted that the visit of the newly ordained Catholie >Bishop of Banjul Ellison was an indication of a long standing Godly >relationship that exists between Christians and Muslims in Banjul. Imam >Gaye made this statement during an interview with Foroyaa at his Banjul >resident. Imam Gaye indicated that the relationship between Christians and >Muslims in Banjul started as far back as his childhood. He said due to good >neighbourliness, the Muslims and Christians were more particular about >their human relation than religion. Revealing his >relation with Bishop Cleary to this reporter, Imam Gaye pointed out Bishop >Cleary has a strong relation with Imam Abdoulie Jobe who used to delegate >him (Gaye) to attend occasions on his behalf. This, Imam Gaye said, >cemented his relation with Bishop Cleary. Imam Gaye asserted that that was >precisely the reason why during the visit of Pope John Paul II, he (Gaye) >and the Late Imam Abdoulie Jobe went to the Airport to welcome him. Talking >about Bishop Ellison’s visit, Imam Tafsir Gaye said that Bishop Ellison was >given a warm welcome. Present at that warm welcome ceremony were the >following elders of Banjul: > >Ngaga Jah, Alhagi Babou Sowe, Dr. Dawda Manga, Alhagi Daddy Saloum Njie, >Alhagi Modou Mbye, Alhagi Malick Ceesay deputising for Mustapha Wadda of >Half-Die Mosque Alhagi Ngora Nyang, Aja Mariam Sowe, Aja Ramou Jobe, Aja >Ndey Leigh and Alhagi Bambo Jammeh. > > > > > >ED >Don't just search. Find. MSN Search Check out the new MSN Search! > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤