Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues

Issue No. 79/05, 10-12 September, 2005



Editorial

GAMBIA IN TRANSITION

Lessons From The By-Elections

Contrary to the previous insinuations that the opposition will rely on the politics of insults and intimidation against the ruling party supporters, it was the opposite that happened. Our assessment of the aftermath of the elections is that many ruling party supporters have been demoralized by the mediocrity displayed by those who handled their electoral campaign. The drop in the number of votes of some candidates of the ruling party is not the only sign of lack of popularity of the candidate but the reflection of the alienation of the party supporters who either boycotted the election or voted for the other side because of their dissatisfaction with the method of campaign of the ruling party.

The lesson is clear. The Gambian people are becoming increasingly dominant. The Gambian people have proven that they do not want a one party state. They have confirmed that they are not under the control of the president. The Gambian youth and women have told President Jammeh that they do not vote under presidential dictates but on the basis of their free will and interest.

Despite all the provocations in Upper Saloum and the skirmishes in other areas the regime has been unable to drive the opposition into violence. This impressed the Gambian people. The victory in peace confirmed that the opposition has popular support. The show of power without attaining victory confirms that the regime lacks popular support.

The Gambian people are now calling on both the government and the opposition to open up a new chapter. They must acknowledge that it is the sovereign Gambian people who own power and no one should try to dictate to them how they should exercise it. Each should appeal to one’s mind and heart in peace rather than seek to impose one’s will on them. There is no doubt that the more arrogant the regime, the more it will alienate the people.





PIU AND KHARAFI WORKERS

JUNGLE JUSTICE IN BRUFUT?

By Yaya Dampha

Reports have it that workers at the 5 star resort hotel under construction in Brufut received severe beatings on Tuesday between the hours of 12 noon and 1 pm. The workers were working at various sections when a van full of Police Intervention Unit (PIU) forces entered and started beating and arresting workers.

When FOROYAA received reports that workers were subjected to severe beatings and harassment in the hands of the PIU, this reporter was prompted to visit Al Kaharafi work site where he spoke to affected persons and some eyewitnesses before proceeding to the PIU.

According to Mr. Bakary Mamburay, the Site Supervisor, while at work with one Basiru Barrow at around 12 noon they saw a youth handcuffed entering the camp under the escort of an officer in plain clothes. He said the youth is said to be arrested on the beach. Mr. Mamburay said after some time he saw a mini van entering the camp filled with PIU men armed with guns and batons.

"Minutes later I heard Omar Gaye, our Time Keeper, crying. I came out with Mr. Salam, the Project Engineer." Upon arrival at the Time Keeper’s station, Mr. Mamburay that they found seven PIU men kicking and beating him severely. He said the Engineer asked him what was going on as he could not understand the vernacular language; that when he told his boss in English that some thirty minutes ago he saw a youth entering the camp handcuffed under escort, he said one PIU man hit him and ordered his arrest saying "He knows something about the matter."

Site Supervisor Mamburay said after beating dozens of workers, himself and five other workers were arrested and taken to the police station in Brufut where they were detained for 24 hours before being released on bail in the sum of D5000 guaranteed by a Gambian surety.

When our reporter asked whether they are charged, the workers said that each of them is charged on two counts; one is obstructing a police officer while executing his duty; the second charge is willful damage to government property. The workers are accused of causing the arrested youth from the beach to escape from the custody of a police man and cutting the handcuff from the youth’s hands before finally going for good.

The PIU men at Brufut declined to comment on the matter but confirmed that the Kharafi workers were arrested and charged for fighting an officer and letting a prisoner escape after damaging a handcuff.

When our reporter asked the police what the plain clothes officer was doing with the youth, leaving the station behind, the officers referred him to the Police PRO who could not be reached at the time of going to press.

However, during the time these men were said to be arrested the Al Kharafi management is said to have called the IGP and the SoS for the Interior when the rest of the workers threatened to move to the station to demand the release of their comrades if the management did not do something. The source said that few minutes after the IGP visited the place where the detainees were held the workers were informed by management that their comrades would be released on the following day.



Comment: Before the next issue FOROYAA will find out from the Police PRO why the police had to use unnecessary and excessive force to conduct their investigation and to apprehend the suspect(s). We will also find out why the contingent of PIU showed no iota of respect for management when they sprang into the worksite like tigers. Needless to say, there is need for the police to demonstrate their competence by doing their work proficiently. In short, they do not escape or arrest civilians indiscriminately and use brute force against them just because one lacks the skills to conduct proper investigations. Moreover, every person is presumed innocent until he / she is proven guilty or has pleaded guilty, in accordance with section 24 of the constitution.

There is need for attitudinal change in the police force to make their participation in workshops on human rights and related matters useful.

CONTINENT BANK, D18.6 MILLION RECOVERED

SAYS SoS NGUM

By Abdoulie G. Dibba

In responding to a question raised by Hon. Idrissa Samba Sallah, Member for Sami Constituency, SoS Ngum indicated that so far D18, 610, 213.00 (eighteen million six hundred and ten thousand two hundred and thirteen dalasis) has been recovered from debtors of the liquidated Continent Bank. As at date SoS Ngum said no creditor or depositor has been paid since the liquidation process has not been concluded. He pointed out that that the recovery exercise is progressing and it is hoped that the needed funds will be available by the first half of 2006 after which SoS Ngum said payment would be made to depositors.

Responding to a supplementary question raised by the Minority Leader and Member for Serrekunda Central, Hon. Halifa Sallah, SoS Ngum said that government has contingency plans and that is if by the end of the recovery exercise in mid 2006 there is a gap between what is recovered and what is due to depositors. Then SoS Ngum said government would fill the gap and payment made to the depositors. SoS Ngum said that the amount recovered is deposited at the Central Bank.



"NO LEGAL CONVICTION AGAINST JUSTICE PAUL"

Says Chief Justice

By Fatou Janneh

Following the National Assembly Investigative Committee Report on AMRC which involves Hon. Justice Paul, a judge at the High Court and the Chairperson of the Paul Commission, the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Brobbey, indicated that there is no legal conviction against Justice Paul.

"There is no legal conviction made by a court of law against Justice Paul. We just cannot victimize him and we have no legal basis to suspend him because we are not conducting any investigation against Honourable Justice Paul as a justice of the High Bench," he revealed.

He added that as the superior courts (High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court) resumed on Monday 3rd October 2005, Justice Paul will continue with his cases. Justice Brobbey emphasized that every person is innocent until proven guilty.

This reporter also interviewed the Judicial Secretary, Mrs. Ngui Mendy on Wednesday in her office in Banjul. When asked why two judges have been elevated to the position of justices of the Appeal Court, leaving the High Court to be improperly constituted, Mrs. Ngui Mendy, who responded on behalf of the Honourable Chief Justice, disclosed that they (the judiciary) are expecting judges from the Commonwealth who will replace Justice Belgore and Justice Tahir, who were promoted as judges of the Court of Appeal before the judges went on vacation.

"We are expecting 3 judges from the Commonwealth plus a locally recruited judge. The High Court is fully constituted. Right now we have a lot of projects going on and we want to meet international standards to expedite cases. We want people to have confidence in the judiciary," she stressed.

The Judicial Secretary pointed out that case management system in which judges are given specific time to sit is also introduced, noting that website development which shall connect the senior judges is already in place.

The Judicial Secretary disclosed that 15 people including the private Bar went to America during the vacation to attend ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) training. She also said that ADR will really help the Gambian court system as many cases will be settled outside the court.

When asked how law reform in The Gambia has impacted on the judiciary, Mrs. Ngui Mendy quickly responded by saying "The reforms are improving litigation in court to the convenience of litigants and lawyers."

On capacity building Mrs. Mendy highlighted that "the training of trainers has made judges, magistrates and other legal personnel more knowledgeable in the work and therefore have reduced the mistakes made in the past."



SIDIA CONDEMNS CORRUPTION

By Bubacarr K. Sowe

The re-elected National Assembly member for Wuli West Constituency, Hon. Sidia Jatta, has strongly condemned the growing corruption syndrome in government institutions.

Speaking to the FOROYAA recently, Hon. Sidia Jatta asserted that his re-election to the National Assembly will enable him to continue the crusade against corruption.

"It is to expose corruption wherever it rears its head and to make sure that the finances of this country are managed properly," Hon. Jatta stressed.

Speaking about the D600 million missing at the Central Bank, Hon. Jatta said that the National Assembly is going to investigate how those sums have gone down the drain. "And then once we establish the causes, we will also establish the remedy," he emphasized.

When asked how prepared he and his party are for the forthcoming presidential election in 2006 Hon. Jatta answered "I am more than prepared. This is the prelude to the 2006 elections."

Reacting to the APRC statement that NADD is a group of "desperate donkey drivers", Sidia said that it is Jammeh’s view. "He is entitled to his view however ridiculous it can be. But NADD is run by conscious, committed and sincere Gambians. You know that without us the National Assembly is zero in this country. They say it themselves, their ministers, their president. There is no National Assembly without us, because we are the only ones who examine and scrutinize the budgets, the bills and the motions they bring in. Without us who does it? You are a journalist. Have you been following trends in the National Assembly?" Sidia asked.



FUEL SHORTAGE HITS SOMA AND SURROUNDING

By Lamin Fatty

Reports reaching FOROYAA have indicated that Soma and the surrounding villages have been hard hit by fuel shortage for almost two weeks. Our reporter went around to confirm the story. In an interview with the Manager of the fuel station in Jarra Soma, Kebba Ceesay, he indicated that it has been almost two weeks since his station started experiencing fuel shortage, which according to him has a negative impact on both private and commercial vehicles and the entire population as a whole. He said that the vast majority of people depend entirely on petrol as their daily source of energy for their household generators.

In a similar interview with a customer at the fuel station, a video operator in Soma stated that he depends entirely on petrol for his generator as a source of energy. According to this customer, he has found it difficult to meet family obligations since the start of the fuel shortage.

The chief of the Soma car park also told our reporter that the fuel shortage has created a serious economic problem for the people especially those dealing in the transport industry According to him fuel is as important as the food we eat since almost everybody’s daily living is entirely dependent on the sale and use of fuel, either directly or indirectly.

An extension worker, who also talked to this reporter at the fuel station, highlighted that the lack of fuel, especially petrol, has created a big constraint for most of them to carry out their extension services properly. He went on to say that their fuel allocations given to them by their various organizations and agencies does not suffice the services they undertake; that in this regard, they depend on the petrol stations for their daily fuel to be able to perform their services properly.

A coos milling machine operator in Soma also expressed similar sentiments and explained how the order closure has affected his services to the public.







WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Dear Editor,

It goes without saying that women cannot be empowered if they do not have equal access to development. The women of Kuntaur Jakaba, Niani Sukuta, Kaiai, Fula Kunda, Wassu, Kataba and Kasi Wollof in the district of Niani, Central River Division lack access for development. They lack bore-holes which can provide them with clean water even though they pay rates and taxes. It is unfair for them to be deprived of access to clean water when they are citizens of this country.

Women such as those in Jakaba contribute immensely to every sector of the economy yet they lack the means of income and therefore are not empowered.

There are lot of statements and echoing of women empowerment but little has been done to actually empower women at the grassroots level. It is not enough to give access to a handful of women elites who enjoy all facilities such as air-conditions. There is need for the government to provide facilities to women farmers so that they can have reliable source of income and be empowered. If government fails to pursue this policy it will run the risk of undermining the development of half the population of this country.

You would agree with me that during political campaign women are used in canvassing for votes and they constitute a major part of the voters. Such campaign is characterized by intimidation, bribery, inducement and deception by politicians who never put their programmes before the people for the people to decide who best serves their interest. In this way they create hostilities between women who quarrel and fight while the elites reap the benefits.

We can go on and on to show how women are marginalized because of lack of enlightenment and the use of "divide and rule tactics" by unscrupulous politicians. I have seen women carry their babies on their backs as they fetch water from the well, engage in farm works and all sorts of household chores. It is common knowledge that the woman farmer upon returning home from the farm immediately starts to cook the meal. By the end of the day when they have toiled so much they become exhausted and have little or no energy left to perform their marital duties.

I have learnt that the Village Development Committees (VDC) which are established in pursuit of decentralization and the development of the village demand D250 from this committee which, according to the government is meant for the welfare of the villages. Interesting indeed! What happened with their tax monies that they have already paid? This is like skinning the goat twice. After all there is hardly any poverty reduction that can be seen in the villages.

We also have the problem of telephone services in this area. Telephone lines in this area have been non-functional for over 4 months. What is wrong with Gamtel? We all know that Gamtel is a mighty company with huge resources, a good portion of which is donated to various institutions and individuals. But are we in this part of the country not entitled to access to information. No one can communicate to us and we cannot communicate to anyone electronically. We are outside the global village of the telecommunication network. How long will we continue to remain in this darkness? When will the telephone lines begin to function? We call on Gamtel to act without delay.

Even telecentre owners are facing difficulty in paying their bills because of lack of nearby revenue offices, which compel them to travel all the way to Janjangbureh or Basse just to pay their bills. Why not establish a revenue office in Kuntaur which is nearby. It makes no sense donating millions of dalasis across the country when Gamtel cannot fulfill its obligations to its clients; an obligation which is now recognized as a fundamental right, that is the right to access information.

Regarding Kuntaur Health Centre, the people of Kuntaur and the surrounding are deprived of good health services since the laboratory has not been functioning for months now. Thus when there is a critical case such as labour one is referred to Bansang Hospital and death is not rare in such circumstances. Kuntaur Heath Centre seems to be just a name because even the generator is not functioning and candles replace electrical lamps. Sometimes it is pathetic when certain treatments cannot be done effectively without the use of electric lamps. The lives of critically ill patients are often at a risk. To crown it all shortage of drugs is the order of the day.

At this point I would advise midwives to exercise greater patience even though they are working under deplorable conditions. If they focus on their frustration and turn it against the patients they could do more harm than good. Patience under such circumstances should not be maltreated they should be given all the attention and encouragement that they deserve. If that is done you will have pleasure and achievement in working in difficult conditions rather tan anger and frustration.

I will conclude by commenting on Radio Gambia our so-call national radio. Radio Gambia in this part of our country is referred to as Radio Kombo because it cannot be monitored in this part of the country. This situation cannot continue because it means that we in this part of the country will be uninformed. There is no doubt that information is the key to the resolution of any problem. Without information there can be no enlightenment. Then how can we develop pour economy? How can the government be credible in a country where information is lacking?

Serious thoughts must be given to the issues raised in this letter.

Kebba A. Drammeh



A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

‘A Stranger In My Own Land’

Dear Mr. President,

My grandfather, grandmother, father, mother and myself were all born in the Gambia. Am I not a citizen? Why must I be treated like a dog in the streets? I am an ordinary worker who relies on my sweat and contribute my small quota to national development. Why must I become voiceless in my own land? Why must I be kicked and punched by vampires?

Is that what your government calls good governance, peace, stability, respect for human rights and the rule of law? Please explain to me. Mr. President why should officers of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) come to my work place at Al Kharafi International and beat me up while I was working? As a mason why should I be commanded by a police officer to go and do the job of a mixer? Who gave such police officers that authority? What audacity do they have to do so? Why should they question my right to lodge a complaint?

On that faithful day I was still recovering from malaria and low blood pressure but I struggled to do the plastering. As I was plastering the walls of the building under construction I heard a noise. Before I could find out what was happening some officers arrived at the entrance to the room where I was working and handled me very roughly. They got angry when I asked them what they wanted and gave me a severe beating. Now I am suffering from double pain. I am suffering from disease and body pain from torture.

Mr. President what do you have to say concerning my condition? I struggled to work in pain when I have not fully recovered from illness in order to get money to facilitate my treatment. All I get from your security officers is further pain and misery. I now have to pay for double treatment. I still have in my possession medical prescriptions on reference number 1759877 which I cannot afford. Anybody who wishes to assist me can contact me through Pa Alieu Ceesay on 9853472 or Mr. Jerreh Njie on 9905941. I call for your intervention and redress. My outpatient reference number is 1759766 at the Brufut Health Centre. I hope my words will not go unheeded.

By Sarjo Ceesay

Brufut





At The National Assembly

NAMs Scrutinizing The Executive

By Abdoulie G. Dibba



Rural Water Supply

During the question and answer session, the National Assembly member for Lower Baddibu, Hon. Suku Singhateh raised the following question: "Mr. Speaker, as unavailability of clean drinking water is a major problem and therefore a major concern for the communities of Kerewan, Suwareh Kunda, Kinteh Kunda and Saba, could the Hon. Secretary of State for Water Resources explain what is holding up the water supply project for these communities?"

In response, SoS Taal said that the Kerewan Water Project was initiated at the end of EDF 8 SDRD Programme. The main supplies were procured and in the Area Council and NAWEC stores. SoS Taal added that it was too late and contractually not allowed to make further works expenditures after closure on 30th June 2004 of the SDRD Programme. He noted that there is now a possibility under EDF 9 Programme. SoS Taal indicated that EC Brussels gave approval for retroactive financing which is allowed as from the 5th September 2005. The Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources is in the process of finalizing the contract for works, which was already awarded to Waterman, a contractor in June 2004. The contract he said was drafted under EDF 8 and now needs to be reformulated into EDF 9 format. SoS Taal went on to say that the national authorizing officer / Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs will need to obtain the endorsement of EC delegation and notify the
 contractor. It is therefore anticipated that work could begin within the next three to four weeks if circumstances allow.

On his part, the Member for Niamina Dankunku, Hon. Kebba B. Ngett raised the following question: "Mr. Speaker, Dankunku, the largest community in my area, are really in need of water. Could the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Natural Resources inform this august body when they are going to dig a borehole in Dankunku Village?"

In response, SoS Taal indicated that the Dankunku borehole is to be provided under the Japanese project, which is operating in three phases. Phase one started in North Bank Division and Western Division. Phases two and three, he said, will be in Lower River Division and Upper River Division. Dankunku, Sambang and Pinai boreholes will be installed in 2007.

On his part, Hon. Kebba E. A. Touray, Member for Illiassa, raised the following question: "Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Fisheries tell this house how soon his department will construct a cold store at the Ballingho Fishing Port?"

In his response, SoS Taal pointed out that it is government’s policy to develop the artisanal fisheries sub-sector by providing infrastructure and incentives throughout the country. He noted that there are no immediate plans to construct a cold store at Ballingho. He added that in July 2005, the Sustainable Fisheries Livelihood Programme (SFLP) and the Improved Livelihood of Post Harvest Fisheries Pilot Project conducted Participatory Rural Artisanal Fishing in Ballingho, but the community members did not identify a cold store as a priority for their fishing activities. He further said that they have requested for the construction of improved ovens and ancillaries, such as sheds for gutting, descaling and washing of fish. The proposal, he pointed out, had been forwarded to the SFLP Headquarters in Cotonou, Benin and they are expecting a favourable response soon. Thereafter, he said, implementation will begin in earnest.

At this point, he reminded the Assembly that SLFP is funded by the Department of International Development of the United Kingdom government and covers twenty-five countries, including The Gambia.



On Health Facilities

The Member for Lower Baddibu, Hon. Suku Singhateh raised the following question: "Mr. Speaker, the village communities surrounding Mbamori Kunda in Lower Baddibu access medical attention at the Mbarimori Kunda Health Post only once weekly. Could the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare consider upgrading this Health Post to a Minor Health Centre?"

In response, SoS Mbowe indicated that the Hon. Member for Lower Baddibu should note that outreach services are provided only once weekly for all village Health Posts including Mbamori Kunda. However, he said the request of the Hon. Member for upgrading the facility will be considered under the extension of health facilities programme which is currently in progress.



On Financing Horticultural Projects

The Member for Bakau, Hon. Kalifa Jammeh raised the following question: "Mr. Speaker, would the Secretary of State for Agriculture tell this august body as to who is sponsoring or financing the fencing of the horticultural gardens in the Greater Banjul Area particularly the Bakau Garden at Mile 7?

(a) How much funds has been secured?

(b) What is holding the construction thereto?"

In response, Hon. Yankuba Touray indicated that the fencing of the horticultural gardens in the Greater Banjul Area was sponsored by the Department of State for Agriculture’s Development Projects like the Peri-Urban Small Holder Project, Telefood Project (funding from FAO), donor partners (especially the Republic of China – ROC on Taiwan’s Agricultural Technical Mission in The Gambia, NGOs and charitable organizations. However with regards to the fencing of the Bakau Horticultural Garden at Mile 7, the SoS said the Taiwan Agricultural Technical Mission worked with is still working with the Horticultural Unit of the Department of Agricultural Services in rendering assistance to the garden. He went on to indicate that a sum of D500, 000 (five hundred thousand dalasis) was reserved by the Taiwanese Technical Mission for financing developmental activities in the garden for the 2005 fiscal year. He indicated that a precondition set for their intervention in the garden is that the
 beneficiaries themselves must identify and rank their priorities. He revealed that since January 2005, 9 (nine) wells have been rehabilitated in the garden. If fencing has been identified as a priority, he said it will be the next intervention activity.



On The Marketing Of Groundnut

On his part, the Hon. Demba Dem, Member for Niani raised the following question: "Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Agriculture inform this august house what plan his department put in place in order to make the marketing of groundnut very easy although government is not responsible for buying groundnuts?"

In response, SoS Touray indicated that he would like to inform the Hon. Member that the Department of State for Agriculture is in the process of transferring the marketing of groundnut to the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment (DOSTIE). As usual, it is a liberalized market. "Up to this day", he said, "series of consultations have taken place, under the leadership of the DOSTIE to ensure that the transition functions smoothly and that the marketing becomes more attractive than ever". He then noted that a twelve-member technical committee composed of government and an expanded private sector has been inaugurated to assist and advise the line department of state responsible for groundnut marketing and the cabinet sub-committees on matters of regulation and management of the 2005 / 06 groundnut marketing.

See next issue for more questions and answers.



ALLEGED BRUTALITY BY APRC YOUTHS

UNDER POLICE PROTECTION

By Abdoulie G. Dibba

Villagers of Taiba in Upper Saloum informed this reporter of the highest form of violation of their privacy in the hands of APRC youths who claimed to be guarding the borders to prevent non-Gambians from participating in the 29th September 2005 by-election. According to them, on Monday night (26th September 2005) between the hours of 1 and 2 am, the APRC youths attacked the villagers of Taiba claiming that a Senegalese woman by the name Rohey was lodged in the village in order to cast her vote for the opposition NADD candidate, Hamat Bah.

They further said that, these youths entered the village at around 2.00 am and started searching from compound to compound looking for this Rohey.

The villagers indicated that the youths of the village started reacting to the violation of their privacy and within minutes the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) entered the village.

The villagers told this reporter that to their disappointment none of the attackers was arrested. Instead the following four youths of the village were arrested: Katim Touray, Morr Sarr, Alieu Secka and the fourth Omar Butorr Secka who is not residing in the village but came to visit his wife.

FOROYAA approached the head of the PIU in the area, Manlafi Sanyang on the issue. According to Manlafi, his men were patrolling at night and when they reached Taiba, they found the confrontation and arrested four youths while the rest took to their heels. Asked about the fate of the arrestees, Manlafi pointed out that they would conduct their investigation and if by the end of their investigation they discover that the arrestees have not committed any crime, they will certainly release them. Asked about the legality of civilians serving as border guards when security forces (PIU) are actually performing such a duty, Manlafi asserted that there is nothing wrong in that. He went further to indicate that those youths are patriotic Gambians who are serving their country and appraised what they are doing. Even though the names of the attackers were given to Njau Police Station, up to the time of my departure along with the PIU, none of the attackers was arrested by the police.

Comment: National Assembly members, you need to raise these issues.







HOMES DEMOLISHED IN BRIKAMA

PEOPLE LEFT HOMELESS

By Fatou Janneh

The people of Brikama on Wednesday 5th October 2005 witnessed another demolition of homes leaving people homeless most of whom are women and children. The affected area which is along the Bafuloto Road is said to have been illegally sited on land allocated to NAWEC.

According to the residents, the exercise was carried out by a bulldozer under the command of Joseph Gaye, the Divisional Surveyor. Our reporter was informed that a 10 man delegation including the Chief, Dembo Santang Bojang, Alkalo and the said Mr. Gaye came to visit the place on Tuesday, without speaking to anybody.

"We saw them moving around from one point to another without uttering a word to anyone, and we do not know the motive behind. As we approached them three men armed with guns stopped us immediately. We stopped there but they refused to speak to us. As they finished talking among themselves, we were told to vacate our homes the following day," a woman said in tears.

Foday Sanneh, an elderly man who is also affected by the demolition spoke to this reporter.

"The said land allocated to NAWEC is clearly marked with concrete pegs and everybody can see it from a distance. We have acquired our land through our sweats. I do not know what prompted this decision. If the government wants to sell the place to TAF, let them say so. Besides, NAWEC cannot use this vast land," he stressed.

According to him, they (the residents) were served notices to vacate their homes in order to demolish the houses. "When we visited the Chief he said that is improper and impossible," the man said. How comes he became part of that delegation?" he asked.

Hatab Colley, who has been residing in the area for less than 3 months, said the huge bulldozer first went to demarcate the plot of NAWEC around 12 pm. "The whole place was surrounded by security officers (‘Paras’) who were carrying guns and directly pointed at us as the bulldozer smashed all the fences and some houses whose yard owners were reluctant to vacate," he revealed.

Kaddy Ceesay disclosed to our reporter that when NAWEC came to put up their pegs few years back, they (NAWEC staff) fetched water from their Alkalo’s well. "They are just using power against us! We are forced to quit by security forces / armed men on no ground. Where will we go with our children? Who will accommodate my large family?" she said in tears.

Most of the yard owners are women who are market vendors. They explained to this reporter how they struggled to acquire their plots of land up the time of construction. They asserted that they have legal documents to prove ownership and that they have been paying taxes to the Brikama Area Council. They revealed that since the commencement of the problem they have contacted and visited the people in charge but to no avail.

At the time our reporter was conducting this interview with the victims a delegation went to the African Centre for Human Rights, American Embassy and the Office of the President to lodge their complaint.

It could be recalled that a similar demolition of compounds took place in Brikama Jamisa a few years ago.



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