1- "The joint Executive Committee of the UDP/NRP respects NADD’s decision to 
reject the proposals emanating from it."

2- "the matter is that neither Mr. Bah nor Mr. Darboe is willing to resign 
their membership of their parties to rejoin NADD."

3- "The leadership of the UDP/NRP Alliance is very conversant with the laws 
of The Gambia and in particular laws regulating and governing election 
matters. Probably if the views of some people who are part of the UDP/NRP 
Alliance were heeded the legal and constitutional mess created by the 
registration of NADD would have been averted."

4- "The UDP/NRP Alliance is not seeking and has never sought power for its 
sake. It is an Alliance that is genuinely committed to the amelioration of 
the worsening conditions in all aspects in The Gambia."

5-"Finally I regard your rejection, without any discussion, of our proposal 
as a rejection of our invitation to meet and discuss and this we accept in 
good faith."

All, after a re-read of the UDP letter to NADD, I am dumb founded at the 
blatant manipulation attempt to hoodwink Gambians.  Quotes 1 and 5 in 
particular are really laughable and an assault to the collective 
intelligence of Gambians.  Two phrases hit me in the face right away:

"UDP/NRP respects NADD’s decision to reject..", and "...and this we accept 
in good faith..."., respectively.  Wow!  One would think something sank in 
after all the exposition but there is still plenty left in this Hoodini bag.

Quotes 2 - 4, are just window dressing of the added excuses and more 
excuses.  This schism is beyond NADD and that is what Ousainou and the UDP 
fails to understand.  This issue is about the type of Gambia, Gambians want, 
after Yaya and the NIA, the many murders, illegal detentions, torture, and a 
plunder of whatever we have left, if there is any more left.  Why can't 
Ousainou see that, is what baffles Gambians, even the APRC supporters, who 
saw their slippage with unity.  What Yaya could not do for 12 years, 
Ousainou managed to do, just like that - Kill the Fighting Spirit of 
Gambians in the Diaspora.  Look at the online discussions as a testimony.  
All because someone wants to be King at all cost, even to loose it all.  
Well, we have made many predictions here that came to pass.  Let the 
opposition just remember this.

After Yaya is given another five years and more, be prepared to be: 
illegally detained and tortured for any cause; trump up charges to see you 
in court for many years, and other gifts that you will receive from the NIA 
and others.  Knowledge of the Law and access to a phone to call the foreign 
embassies will not do a darn thing for you or your supporters.  Forget about 
your supporters starting a riot.  Dismiss this prediction and you find 
yourselves in the shoes of Sheriff Dibba, Ndure Cham, Bajinka, Ndondeh Njie, 
Mariam Denton, the lot that were framed up for a roundup, journalists, etc.  
One thing Darbo can count on, when that comes to pass, I shall refresh his 
memory and he shall read about it.  This is not a threat, but to remind you 
of real life examples that we see happen everyday.  By any means please 
continue to sink yourself and Gambia.

Chi Jaama

Joe

>From: "Joe Sambou" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [>-<] FW: Foroyaa Newpaper Burning Issue
>Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:46:19 +0000
>
>[ This e-mail is posted to Gambia|Post e-Gathering by "Joe Sambou" 
><[log in to unmask]> ]
>
>
>FYI
>
>
>>From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Foroyaa Newpaper Burning Issue
>>Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:26:57 +0000
>>
>>
>>
>>Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
>>
>>Issue No.64/2006, 11-13 August, 2006
>>
>> 
>>
>>Editorial
>>
>>ANOTHER EVIDENCE OF IEC’S DISREGARD OF THE CONSTITUTION IN DETERMINING THE 
>>DATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
>>
>>Section 43(1)(d) states that subject to the provisions of the constitution 
>>the Independent Electoral Commission shall be responsible for ensuring 
>>that the dates, times and places of public elections and referenda are 
>>determined in accordance with law and that they are publicized and 
>>elections held accordingly.
>>
>>This means that a competent Independent Electoral Commission should know 
>>the letter and spirit of the Constitution and should perform their duties 
>>in line with its provisions. FOROYAA has always maintained that September 
>>22 falls short of the constitutional requirements to hold a presidential 
>>election.
>>
>>The most glaring confirmation of FOROYAA’s view is the Bill published to 
>>amend the Constitution which was also amended in 2001. Section 63(2) 
>>states that “The person elected President shall assume office sixty days 
>>following the day of his or her election…” Needless to say, since the term 
>>of office of a President lasts for five years President Jammeh’s term ends 
>>on 18th December 2006. If the president elected on 22nd September is to 
>>assume office under the Constitution he/she would have to do so on 
>>22nd November 2006, a month before the end of term of office of the 
>>President.
>>
>>This is why the state is trying to amend section 63(2). In the object of 
>>the amendment the Executive states that the Bill seeks to amend section 
>>63(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, which duly 
>>restricts the date for a presidential election by providing that an 
>>elected president shall assume office sixty days following the day of his 
>>or her election.” The implication of that provision is that the election 
>>must be fixed on a particular day that satisfies both the sixty days 
>>requirement and the expiration of the term of office of the President.”  
>>These are the
>>very words of the Executive. It is clear to them that to meet the 
>>constitutional requirement the election must take place two months before 
>>the expiration of the term of office of the President. Why did the IEC put 
>>the date to 22 September 2006?
>>
>>We hope the IEC will now review all the decisions they have taken, engage 
>>the Inter-Party Committee in discussion and seek proper legal advice in 
>>determining new dates for elections.
>>
>>In our view to leave an incumbent to stay in office for three months after 
>>he/she has lost an election does not make democratic sense. What is 
>>logical is to hold elections two days before the expiration of the term of 
>>office of the incumbent so that whoever wins an election will assume 
>>office the following day after the announcement of the results. The 
>>constitutional amendments should have been geared towards such a 
>>development.
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>>NADD AND UDP/NRP VIEWS ON UNITY
>>
>>NADD Executive Secretary
>>
>>Dear Colleague,
>>
>>Your letter ref. NADD/FA/02/02/06 of 6th August 2006 refers.
>>
>>The joint Executive Committee of the UDP/NRP respects NADD’s decision to 
>>reject the proposals emanating from it.
>>
>>The UDP/NRP Alliance wishes to draw NADD’s attention to the fact that 
>>legally UDP/NRP cannot be part or members of NADD. The NADD Executive 
>>seems to be ignoring the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of 
>>Sallah and others Vs. The Clerk of the National Assembly and others. The 
>>suggestion that UDP/NRP Alliance is to state categorically whether it is 
>>willing to join NADD is a suggestion that fails to recognize the legal 
>>position that parties cannot form or be members of political parties. 
>>Although Mr. Hamat Bah and Mr. Ousainu Darboe and indeed any other Gambian 
>>is free and entitle to join NADD the political party under whose umbrella 
>>you propose to sponsor candidates for any election the reality of
>>
>>the matter is that neither Mr. Bah nor Mr. Darboe is willing to resign 
>>their membership of their parties to rejoin NADD.
>>
>>The leadership of the UDP/NRP Alliance is very conversant with the laws of 
>>The Gambia and in particular laws regulating and governing election 
>>matters. Probably if the views of some people who are part of the UDP/NRP 
>>Alliance were heeded the legal and constitutional mess created by the 
>>registration of NADD would have been averted. The UDP/NRP Alliance is not 
>>seeking and has never sought power for its sake. It is an Alliance that is 
>>genuinely committed to the amelioration of the worsening conditions in all 
>>aspects in The Gambia.
>>
>>Finally I regard your rejection, without any discussion, of our proposal 
>>as a rejection of our invitation to meet and discuss and this we accept in 
>>good faith.
>>
>>Yours in the service of the truth.
>>
>>A.N.M. OUSAINU DARBOE
>>
>> (For UDP/NR.P Alliance)
>>
>> 
>>
>>NADD’S RESPONSE
>>
>>Dear Mr. Darboe,
>>
>>ON THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES RAISED IN YOUR LETTER
>>
>>Your memorandum of 7th July has been received.
>>
>>The Executive Committee of NADD respects your decision not to be part of 
>>the NADD compact. Of course NADD cannot be part of the expanded UDP/NRP 
>>Alliance since the two parties were part and parcel of NADD’s political 
>>arrangement.
>>
>>However, the Executive Committee of NADD was very much disappointed that 
>>you proceeded to indicate in no uncertain terms that the Supreme Court 
>>case Sallah vs the Clerk of the National Assembly and others has barred 
>>the UDP/NRP alliance from stating categorically its  terms and conditions 
>>for re-engaging NADD. The Executive Committee will convey its rejection of 
>>your political interpretation of the Supreme Court decision and its 
>>immense revulsion for your description of the greatest demonstration of 
>>political will by the opposition by registering NADD as an umbrella party, 
>>as a legal and constitutional mess. I decided to seek authorization from 
>>the Executive Committee to address such issues
>>with greater clarity since you claim that the registration of NADD was 
>>against your advice.
>>
>>Mr. Darboe, even though I, Halifa Sallah, was not around when the NADD 
>>Executive Committee sent papers to IEC for registration of NADD, even 
>>though as Minority Leader in the National Assembly and member of the 
>>Pan-African parliament I had more to lose in terms of post than any member 
>>of NADD when our seats were declared vacant, even though there had not 
>>been the slightest indication that I will be made flag-bearer before the 
>>court decision, I did not hesitate to tell the whole world that the 
>>registration of NADD was a blessing in disguise. The reason for this is 
>>simple.
>>
>>It is incontrovertible that once the MOU was signed by the representatives 
>>of all the political parties to establish NADD its registration became 
>>mandatory in order to give relevance to its letter and spirit. Let me 
>>refer you to the MOU to buttress my point.
>>
>>Article 16 of the MOU states that “The Alliance shall have an emblem, 
>>colour, motto and symbol to be determined within one month of the coming 
>>into force of the agreement with the full participation of its supporters 
>>and sympathizers.”
>>
>>Suffice it to say that Article 8 also adds that “The selection of the 
>>candidate of the Alliance for presidential, National Assembly and council 
>>elections shall be done by consensus, provided that in the event of an 
>>impasse selection shall be done by holding a primary election restricted 
>>to party delegates on the basis of equal number of delegates, comprising 
>>the chairwoman and youth leader of each party from each village/ward in 
>>the constituency.”
>>
>>Mr. Darboe, you have mastered the chapter and verse of your profession. I 
>>do not need to quote section 60 of the Constitution to prove that the 
>>registration of NADD was connected with, dependent on and determined by 
>>the letter and spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding that all parties 
>>signed in public knowing fully well what its contents were. NADD had to be 
>>registered in order for us to contest under its ticket. This is the 
>>requirement of the Constitution and the Elections Decree. Hence the 
>>attempt to register NADD was not a constitutional or legal blunder; on the 
>>contrary, it was a constitutional and legal necessity.
>>
>>Hence anyone who sees the registration of NADD as a legal and 
>>constitutional mess must equally consider his/her signing of the 
>>memorandum of understanding as a historical blunder or folly. If signing 
>>the MOU is considered a blunder where lies the integrity of its 
>>signatories.
>>
>>In short, before we agreed on the content of the MOU we set up a technical 
>>committee comprising the experts of all the political parties. Your party 
>>was represented by people of high intellectual calibre. Within the 
>>technical committee were former permanent secretaries and people with PhD. 
>>As far as I am concerned, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding 
>>and the registration of NADD were the highest demonstration of political 
>>will by the opposition to bring about democratic change in the Gambia. We 
>>proved that we were determined to unite for change regardless of the peril 
>>or the cost. I must admit that the UDP representatives earned my trust for 
>>the diligent
>>way they participated in the work of the technical committee. We should 
>>not rewrite history because of the momentary convenience and rob such 
>>honourable intellectuals of due credit. The determination mustered by all 
>>to consolidate NADD was manifested after the court decision.
>>
>>After our seats were declared vacant, we again had opportunity to 
>>dismantle NADD and return to contest the by-elections under our respective 
>>parties. We were given ample time to make our decisions. We concluded that 
>>our different parties will remain allies while we allow the Executive 
>>Members to remain in NADD so that it could serve as an umbrella party. 
>>This is why all Executive Members of the various parties symbolically 
>>resigned from their parties to remain Executive Committee Members of NADD. 
>>This again was the second most important demonstration of political will, 
>>by the opposition to ensure unity. It earned us the respect and admiration 
>>of the electorate for not being self seekers.
>>
>>The sacrifice paid dividend. We did not only win our seats back, the APRC 
>>regime became so threatened that it had to arrest members of the NADD 
>>leadership which gave rise to its total national and international 
>>isolation. The coming of President Obasanjo, the signing of the memorandum 
>>of understanding and the massive solidarity NADD received nationally and 
>>internationally confirmed that it was the best instrument to utilize to 
>>contest the 2006 presidential election.
>>
>>Mr. Darboe, the fact that Mr. Bah left NADD at a time when he was pursuing 
>>an election petition as a NADD candidate confirms where the political and 
>>strategic blunder originated from.
>>
>>We first stood by NADD with an iron will. It became an invincible rock 
>>which was split by your withdrawal. This is why NADD has done everything 
>>to open its doors for re-engagement. It is therefore immensely amazing 
>>that you would conclude that you regard our rejection of your proposal as 
>>a rejection of all invitation to discuss. I will leave the NADD Executive 
>>to clarify its point.
>>
>>As far as I am concerned, I have engaged you in a very honest and sincere 
>>discussion because of my conviction that an alliance is the best mechanism 
>>to contest the 2006 elections. An alliance on NADD’s terms provides 
>>conditions that we have all signed to honour. An alliance on UDP/NRP terms 
>>is yet to be defined in form and content. This is the point. NADD gave you 
>>the option of making proposal on how one of your parties should declare 
>>its desire to lead an opposition alliance and then offer its terms to 
>>other opposition parties for consideration rather than hide behind the 
>>cloak of an expanded UDP/NRP alliance which can never be known to the law.
>>
>>To show you that as a flagbearer of NADD I have always been opened to 
>>principled compromise, I would like to give an example of how to make our 
>>discussion relevant, realistic, and indispensable. In a word, would you 
>>agree to a proposal for NADD and the UDP/NRP Alliance to draw a list of 
>>possible candidates and then select a group of prominent Gambians to 
>>select one among their number to be a compromise candidate for the 
>>presidential elections. This candidate can be restricted to a term of 2 or 
>>3 years to implement a rectification programme and prepare the country for 
>>free and fair elections.
>>
>>Secondly, it gave you the option of revisiting the MOU establishing NADD.
>>
>>Thirdly, it gave you the option of giving form and content to the UDP/NRP 
>>alliance to enable us to determine how it could be engaged without being 
>>an expanded part of it.
>>
>>How you can interpret these positions as closing the doors for discussion 
>>beats my imagination.
>>
>>Secondly, since the flag-bearer of your alliance wants no restriction to 
>>his term in office to a five year term, would you accept an arrangement 
>>where the NADD flag-bearer becomes the presidential candidate and sit for 
>>three or five years while a system embodying a prime minister is 
>>introduced to enable the flag-bearer of the UDP/NRP alliance to head a 
>>coalition government. The president will be barred from seeking a second 
>>term while the prime minister is allowed to seek the normal term of the 
>>presidency. These are the type of concrete proposals we expect from you as 
>>we race against time.
>>
>>I would want your opinion on these proposals before Saturday 12th August 
>>2006. In the meantime, we are going ahead with our preparations to put up 
>>a candidate. If you end up being found to have taken an irreversible 
>>decision to contest the election on your own terms, we will leave history 
>>to deliver its verdict.
>>
>>If I fail to receive a positive response or a concrete proposal by 
>>Saturday I will issue a statement to call on the Gambian people to give 
>>full support to my candidature as the NADD flag-bearer.
>>
>>To conclude allow me to say that history has record of the fact that we 
>>signed a Memorandum based on commitment. We registered NADD based on 
>>conviction. We lost our seats but still decided to stand under a NADD 
>>ticket based on conviction. NADD still exists because of that conviction 
>>to unite and bring about the minimum standard of democracy necessary to 
>>enable the people to take charge of their destiny and free themselves from 
>>impunity and self perpetuating rule in order to live in liberty and 
>>prosperity.
>>
>>I hope we have reached a common understanding of what actually happened. 
>>If you disagree with my view I will be honoured if we meet at Father 
>>Farrell Hall to put our different positions to an audience in the interest 
>>of transparency and accountability, as we prepare the ground to challenge 
>>the APRC regime. We should clear the ground once and for all and restore 
>>the climate of respect that has always characterized our relationship.
>>
>>Yours in the service of the Nation.
>>
>>Halifa Sallah
>>
>> 
>>
>>NDONDI NJIE RE-ARRESTED
>>
>>By Yaya Dampha
>>
>>Reports reaching Foroyaa indicated that the Former Chairman of the IEC, 
>>Mr.Ndondi Njie who was arrested alongside two commission members in the 
>>Persons of Sulayman Sait Mboob and Ebrima Sanneh, was rearrested by State 
>>Security Agents on Monday night after they were released from the Serious 
>>Crimes Unit.  According to sources, the former Chairman, was taken to the 
>>National Intelligence Agency head office in Banjul, where he was initially 
>>detained before they were transferred to the Serious Crimes.
>>
>>The family members of Mr. Njie confirmed that the latter was up to 
>>Wednesday night, detained at the NIA office.  On whether he was charged or 
>>not, his family members said they did not know whether he is charged or 
>>not.
>>
>>Efforts to speak to the Director of NIA on why Mr. Njie was arrested and 
>>detained proved futile. 
>>
>> 
>>
>>JOURNALIST MISSING FOR 37 DAYS
>>
>>Babucarr K. Sowe
>>
>>The disappearance of Chief Ebrima Manneh, a reporter with the Daily 
>>Observer newspaper, has entered its 37th day, today Friday.
>>
>>Manneh, who was reported missing by his family on the 6th of July, 2006, 
>>is yet to be found.  His Father Sarjo Manneh, has confirmed that up to the 
>>time he was talking to this reporter, he has been unable to establish 
>>where his son is.
>>
>>The Father added that he was told at the Daily Observer offices to wait 
>>for three days, upon which he will be informed on their efforts regarding 
>>the search for his son.
>>
>>Due to an illness the Father is suffering from, he said, he could not 
>>return to the Daily Observer.
>>
>>However, the President of The Gambia Press Union, (GPU), Mr. Madi Ceesay, 
>>has informed Foroyaa that a delegation from the GPU went to the National 
>>Intelligence Agency (NIA) to find out, whether Mr. Manneh was detained 
>>there or not.  He however said that they were told that Mr. Manneh was not 
>>with them.
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>>BRIKAMA MARKET VENDORS WARNED
>>
>>By Modou Jonga
>>
>>Vendors at the Brikama Market have been threatened with arrest. The 
>>cleansing service supervisor at the Brikama Area Council Lamin Luwang 
>>Konteh has indicated that any vendor found urinating around the closed 
>>toilet at the market would be arrested and handed over to the Police. Mr. 
>>Konteh refused the request of permission from a group of vendors who said 
>>that no alternative place has been opened for them to ease themselves 
>>since the closure of the main toilet.  They complained that they were 
>>asked not to urinate in the area without any reason given to them. Mr. 
>>Konteh has sternly warned vendors to desist from urinating at the said 
>>spot immediately or risk being arrested and handed over to the Brikama
>>Police. According to Mr. Konteh, the continuous urinating at the area is 
>>unhygienic and if allowed, it would affect the sanitary conditions of the 
>>stores close to the spot and the vendors selling nearby.
>>
>>“Any vendor found urinating at this place will be arrested and taken to 
>>the Police station without fear or favour,” he emphasized.
>>
>>When asked by this reporter what would happen to the vendors, Mr. Konteh 
>>answered, “That will be left to the discretion of the Police.”
>>
>>Many of the market vendors who spoke to this reporter said they are 
>>finding it difficult to cope since the Brikama Area Council took this 
>>decision. They have however appealed to the cleansing service supervisor 
>>of BAC to help them by repairing the toilet.
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>>KASSA JATTA AND OTHERS ARRAIGNED IN COURT
>>
>>By Lamin Fatty
>>
>>The case of Dudu Kassa Jaata the first accused, Omar Jatta, Lamin Jawara, 
>>Isatou Jawara, Lamin Jassey, Mariama Fatty, Mamburama Jatta and Chernor 
>>Ndow Jarju, was brought before the Kanifing Magistrate Court on the 
>>7th August, 2006. Mr.Camara defense counsel for the accuse persons, made 
>>an application to have access to his clients and for them to be granted 
>>bail. The group has been under detention at various Police Stations, since 
>>last week Tuesday.  According to Mr. Camara, section 99 of the criminal 
>>code should be applied for bail to be granted to the accused persons. 
>>According to Mr. Camara all the accused persons before the court had been 
>>detained beyond
>>the 72 hour mandatory period allowed under the constitution. He also said 
>>that accused no.1 Dudu Kasson Jaata, No.2 Omar Jaata, No.5 Isatou Jawara 
>>and No.4 Lamin Jawara, were all arrested on Tuesday, and where detained at 
>>various Police Stations in the greater Banjul area without access to their 
>>families, friends and legal counsel. He said the accused in the persons of 
>>Mariama Fatty, Lamin Jassey, Cherno Ndow Jarju and Mamburama Attar are all 
>>minors under the age of the 18 years and that these people voluntarily 
>>surrendered to the Police in Bakau, since the 3rd of August, 2006. Lawyer 
>>Camara indicated that police Investigations on this matter has also been 
>>concluded which is why the accused persons have been
>>charged and brought before the law. Lawyer Camara finally told the 
>>Honorable court to grant bail to the accused persons. In objection to the 
>>application made by the defense counsel, Prosecutor Bojang made references 
>>on points of law, but failed to adequately convince the court. He sited 
>>section 19, sub section (3) (b) of the 1997 constitution of the Gambia, 
>>which stated that the police have the right to detain anybody for a period 
>>of 72 hours; that the police are doing their investigations, which is yet 
>>to be completed; that this is why the accused persons should not be 
>>released on bail. Mr. Bojang however acknowledged that the court has the 
>>final mandate to any submission made by either the defense or the 
>>prosecution. The court however ruled against his objection to bail and the 
>>accused persons were granted bail. The magistrate therefore granted the 
>>accused persons bail with an amount
>>of D1500.00 each and sureties. They were also warned not to engage in any 
>>threat of violence but to keep the peace within the period; that other 
>>wise they will have their bails forfeited.
>>
>> 
>>
>>800MM OF RAINFALL EXPECTED
>>
>>By Isatou Bittaye
>>
>>The senior meteorologist, Mr. Lamin Mai Touray has said that at least 
>>800mm of rain is expected in this year’s rainy season.
>>
>>Mr. Touray made this statement in an interview with Foroyaa recently. He 
>>said the highest amount of rainfall recorded as at the end of July is 
>>390.5mm, and it was recorded in Kerewan, in the Northern part of the 
>>country. He said the lowest amount is recorded in Serrekunda.
>>
>>He indicated that the highest rainfall recorded per day is 85.4mm and it 
>>is recorded in Kuntuar and the lowest is trace. He said the average 
>>rainfall recorded is 233mm. he added that the highest rainfall normally 
>>occurs in August and the lowest occurs in June and October. Mr. Touray 
>>said that the rainfall pattern is due to the tropic of cancer and 
>>Capricorn. He said if one is active, the other is dominant, and the 
>>rainfall is high when both are active, nothing that this year’s rainfall 
>>per day is lower compared to last year’s which recorded over 100mm and the 
>>floods which occurred this year are caused by the structural plans, such 
>>as the road construction.
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>>THE APPALLING STATE OF THE MANJAI DUMPSITE
>>
>>Residents Voice Out Their Frustration
>>
>>By Musa Barrow
>>
>>Despite assurance by Councillor Momodou Sidibeh of Manjai Kunda Ward that 
>>the Manjai dumpsite would be fenced inorder to put it beyond the reach of 
>>children, about twelve months after his pledge, the status quo remains 
>>almost the same as it was last year.
>>
>>Neither has a fence been erected nor has the dumping at the site ceased. 
>>Apart from the heaps of rubbish which are visible from a distance, Manjai 
>>dumpsite is also littered with sharp metals and broken bottles which pose 
>>a lethal threat to children who roam the site.
>>
>>when our reporter recently visited the dumpsite, he saw children as well 
>>as women scavenging on what they term as valuables. Surprisingly, one of 
>>the scavengers, a woman who looks to be in her late thirties, told our 
>>reporter that the dumpsite serves as a source of income for her. She said 
>>the metals she picks up from the dumpsite are sold inorder to earn her 
>>some money. Speaking to our reporter, one Ibrahim Fatty a resident of 
>>Manjai Kunda who lives just a few metres from the dumpsite described it as 
>>an awful and a deplorable sight. He said living near the dumpsite is 
>>utterly unbearable, as they live at the mercy of mosquitoes and all types 
>>of insect. According to him, these insects, apart from the inconvenience 
>>of their bites, pose grave threats
>>to their personal hygiene. Two ladies, one Amie Camara and Isatou Touray, 
>>who also reside just next to the dumpsite, also expressed the agony they 
>>and their children go through. They said children are often struck by 
>>flying-ants which leave enormous pain on them. The two ladies further 
>>indicated that, although promises were made to rehabilitates the site, 
>>according to them very little has been done so far.
>>
>>Foday Ceesay, a youth who also resides not far from the site, also 
>>expressed dissatisfaction over what he called the frequent outbreak of 
>>fire at the site, which in turn triggers a cloud of smoke over the area. 
>>He pointed out that breathing the smoke from the dump is a health hazard 
>>to the residents. He noted that its impact on children could be too 
>>devastating and early. Perhaps if you are contemplating to visit Manjai 
>>dumpsite, one thing you are assured of is a rousing welcome from a special 
>>breed of fat tsetse flies that live in the heartland of the odour.
>>
>> 
>>
>>EFFECT OF FLOODS AND THUNDERSTORMS
>>
>>By Isatou Bitaye
>>
>>Lamin Touray, a Senior Meteorologist at the Meteorological Unit, has urged 
>>people to desist from using their electrical appliances and telephones if 
>>their houses are flooded with water.
>>
>>Mr. Touray indicated that contaminated flood water has serious health 
>>implications.  He said medical attention should be sought if health 
>>problems are noticed in a flooded area.
>>
>>“Floods occur when water overflows its normal channels, such as streams 
>>and water drains.  They may also occur when there is accumulation of water 
>>in areas which are not normally submerged.  Flash floods are usually 
>>associated with severe thunderstorms”, said the Senior Meteorologist Mr. 
>>Lamin Touray added that buildings should not be constructed in flood areas 
>>or a water course.  He said the following precautions should be taken when 
>>floods are likely to occur.
>>
>>·Move valuable food and other possessions upstairs where possible.
>>
>>·Turn off electricity if flood is about to happen.
>>
>>·Ensure that gloves are worn when handling affected items.
>>
>>·Thoroughly disinfect and dry affected household items.
>>
>>·Protect stock and equipment on commercial or industrial premises.
>>
>>·Keep animals in a safe place on higher ground (in rural areas). 
>>
>>He said after floods have occurred, doors and windows should be opened.  
>>He said equipment should be dried out and children should not be allowed 
>>to play in flood water areas.
>>
>>He said lightning occurs with thunderstorm and are cause by the build- up 
>>and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively 
>>charged areas in the atmosphere and clouds, noting that the ground strikes 
>>are dangerous in lightning.
>>
>>He advised that, people should stay in doors and stay away from windows 
>>and electrical appliances during thunderstorm.  He added that if one is 
>>found in the open during thunderstorm, one should seek shelter in a 
>>building, noting hill tops and lone trees should be avoided during 
>>thunderstorms.
>>
>>Mr. Touray indicated that thunderstorms are easily identified by thunder 
>>and lightning and usually last for 30 minutes, but severe storms may last 
>>longer.  He said there are four dangerous types of weather that can be 
>>generated by thunderstorms.  He said these are lightning, wind gusts 
>>(squalls), hail and tornadoes.  He said tree branches should be trimmed 
>>and roof gutters should be cleansed and check.
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