Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 85/2006, 4-5 September, 2005
Editorial
MR. PRESIDENT, THEY ARE STILL REPORTING!!
Journalists and other persons who had been associated with the Freedom
Newspaper fiasco are still reposting at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
People like Duta Kamaso and Malick Mboob are still in custody. They have not
been charged. They have not been taken to court. They are detained for months
without trial.
To those whose minds have not been prepared for long detention long period
of captivity can lead to psychological or physical deterioration which can
affect their lives for good. The religious leaders of the country should play
their role in visiting any head of state to report what they read in the press
and counsel the government to adhere to the provisions of the constitution
and the basic text of good governance.
Detention often leads to lost of income for families. The same goes for
closure of media houses. Since The Independent Newspaper was put to a stop many
journalists associated with the paper are finding it difficult to address
their basic needs. The Independent Newspaper, Citizen FM and Sud FM are all
establishments that generate income, investment and development. The government
should consider the removal of all obstacles to their operation. The media
fraternity should consider establishing a fund to assist media parishioners in
distress. The Deyda Hydara Foundation may be a good starting point.
MAGISTRATE SANYANG WARNS PROSECUTORS
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Principal Magistrate Kebba Sanyang, of the Kanifing Magistrate Court, has
struck out a robbery case involving one Modou Gibba and the State. The case was
struck out due to the prosecutor’s failure to attend court sittings. Modou
Gibba is dragged to court for allegedly robbing one Pa Edie Mbye. The alleged
crime happened at Atoms Bar at London Corner on 27th April 2006. According to
the particulars of the offence, Modou Gibba robbed Pa Edie Mbye off his
mobile phone valued at D2800, a wrist watch valued at D250 and a sum of D4, 885.
Magistrate Sanyang discharged the accused. He told the prosecutor not to
re-arrest him. “If you re-arrest this man, I will deal with you. How can you bring
a person to court, he is coming and you are not coming to court,” he
emphasized. Magistrate Sanyang, struck out another case involving a Nigerian
national. He struck out the case after the prosecutor failed to bring the accused to
court. The Nigerian National, Charles Oriyon, was allegedly found in
possession of forged currency amounting to CFA 146,000 at New Jeshwang on 25th April
2006.
DUTA KAMASO STILL DETAINED
Wulli East National Assembly Member, Duta Kamaso has recovered from her
illness, sources close to the NIA informed this reporter. The family members of
the detained former Parliamentarian said they visited their loved one on
Friday, the 29th of September. They said they found her in good health. They
indicated that she is currently. detained at the NIA headquarters in Banjul.
. State security agents arrested Duta Kamaso some months ago. She has since
then been languishing at the NIA headquarters in Banjul. The authorities are
yet to advance reasons for her continued detention.
WOMEN PROTEST OVER WATER SHORTAGE
By Yaya Dampha
Water is becoming a gem in the communities of Latrikunda Sabiji and
Wellingara. These communities have been faced with acute water shortage for many
days. On Tuesday 3rd October over one hundred women from Latrikunda and
Wellingara took to the streets to vent their anger over the acute water shortage that
hit their community. The women walked along the Serre- Kunda/Tabokoto High
way chanting the slogan: “We have no water.” Upon arrival at the NAWEC outlet
at Latrikunda, the women found a cleaner scrubbing the floor. One of the
demonstrators who rushed into the office and found the cleaner scrubbing the
floor shouted: “NAWEC has access to water and that is why their cleaner is
scrubbing the floor.” An official of NAWEC advised the women to go to their main
office and lodge their complaints there. The women proceeded to the NAWEC Office
at Serrekunda where they were told that the engine that pumps the water has
a problem and that engineers are trying to address the issue.
At the NAWEC office in Serre Kunda they complained that they had not got
access to water for many days and the wells on which they relied dried up. They
said they spent the previous night in the street hoping to get some water
from the stand pipes, but their hopes varnished in thin air. The women said if
the situation is not addressed, they would march to the State House.
BRIKAMA MARKET VENDORS COMPLAIN
By Modou Jonga
Vendors around the old garage of the Brikama Market have raised concerns
over a deplorable dumpsite. The vendors were said to have raised this concern
with with Brikama area Council yesterday at the council’s headquarters.
The vendors accused the cleansing service of the council for creating a
dumpsite at the wrong place. Since according to them the said site is close to
shops and stores within the market area. The waste gathered at this site, is
said to be left uncollected by the council for five days leading to the decay
and disposition of wastes, providing a breading ground for insects.
This reporter has seen vendors spraying chemicals on the dump to kill
insects entering their shops from the dumpsite. The stench from the said dumpsite
is making life unbearable for people in the market around the old garage
vicinity.
Speaking to this reporter, Dudou Kamaso, a shop owner in the market, said
their complaints about the situation have not been heeded by the Brikama Area
Council.
“The council has manifested this to us by not collecting the waste,” said
an anonymous market vendor. “They have no regard for the health condition of
the vendors,” said another anonymous market vendor. “We pay tax but our tax
money is not returned to us in the form of services.” She went on to say.
The anonymous vendor concluded.
The reasons given to the vendors by the council, according to Mr. Kamaso,
was the lack of fuel. This, according to Mr. Kamaso, is incorrect, because one
has never noticed fuel shortage at the council during the just ended
Presidential Campaign.
Another vendor, Janko Kijera, told this reporter that they did meet with the
council Chairman, and informed him of the state of the dumpsite. “We are
demanding the complete removal of the dumpsite,” emphasised Mr. Kejira.
This dumpsite in its present state can cause heart attacks, liver council
and many other diseases,” he said, when contacted, Mr. Seringe Modou Joof, the
Public Relations Officer confirmed the present of the protesting vendors and
the dumpsite. He denied the allegation that the vendors were not protesting
to the Council but expressing their concern in a normal manner. Further
informed this reporter that the waste was collected by the Cleansing Service of
the Council on the very day they received complaints from the vendors.
However, reports reaching Foroyaa have indicated that a few vendors are on their way
to the Council again to demand that the dumpsite be completely relocated
elsewhere.
KAFUTA VDC ISSUE WARNING
By Abdoulie Dibba
The Village Development Communittee of Kafuta has warned the Alkalo of
Kafuta Basoli Bojang to desist from asking them to hand over their
responsibilities to a new VDC that is not elected nor selected by the people of Kafuta.
Lamin Bojang (an ex officio member) made this disclosure in an interview with
this reporter at his home in Kafuta. Mr. Bojang told this reporter that the
materials at the skill center were donated to the people of Kafuta by the people
of Kiruna and that the materials are presently at the skill center. On
allegations that the skill center is rented to Kharafi, Mr. Bojang indicated that
the Kharafi Garden Farm is presently occupying a classroom and two stores at
the skill center. Mr. Bojang said the Kharafi Garden is renting the space at
the skill center at the cost of D1500.00. He said the money is kept by the
community that is managing the skills center. He asserted that officials of the
road construction company have expressed their intention to rent part of the
skill center. He noted that they have asked the Officials of the Kharafi Road
Construction Company to pay D10,000 per month. He said they are yet to reach
an agreement even though officials of the aforesaid company are occupying
part of the skills center.
NIA DIAMOND CASE ADJOURNED
Fabakary B. Ceesay
The criminal case involving the ex-officers of the National Intelligence
Agency (NIA) and the state has been readjourned due to the absence of one of the
witnesses.
The six ex-officers are Lamin Drammeh, Basiru Jabang, Lamin Sanneh, Kajali
Jawara, Fabakary Barrow and Salimina Drammeh. They are dragged to court for
alledgely robbing two Germans off their property. These include two mobile
phones, eight (8) pieces of diamond and cash amounting to $ 206, 000 US
dollars. The presiding Magistrate is principal Magistrate Kebba Sanyang of the
Kanifing Magistrate Court. The case is adjourned to 16th and 17th October 2006.
RURAL WOMEN TO BE TRAINED ON SOLAR ENGINEERING
By Annia Gaye
The collaborative effort between Riders for Health Gambia and the Barefoot
College, India has brought up the idea of training two rural women as barefoot
solar engineers in India. This idea came up when the Gambia was selected by
the Founder of Barefoot College, India, Bunker Roy at the world Economic Forum
held in Davo’s 2005 in consultations with Barry Colemen, Chief executive
officer Riders for health.
Mr. Bunker Roy stated that the two selected women are Agi Camara and Mariama
Badjie of Kafenkeng and Kankurang Village in Bondali District. These two
women he said do not know how to read neither to write. He further disclosed
that the two women would be trained as solar engineers within 6 months, and
after the training, they would be able to install solar units, fabricate charge
controllers and inventors in their villages as well as carryout repairs on the
spot. He stated that Kankurang and Kafenkeng would be the first two solar
electrified villages in the Gambia that would be technically and financially
self-sufficient.
Mr. Bunker Roy discloses that another new innovative idea being introduced
by the Barefoot College India in The Gambia is in the concept of “rooftop rain
water harvesting.” He said the idea is to start two “rain water harvest
project” in The Gambia in collaboration with Riders For Health, one at the
Sulayman Junkung General Hospital in Bwiam. He said the second “rooftop rain water
harvest tank” would be constructed with community support and expertise in
Bullengart Village Primary School. The village of chief Bakary Dembo Badjie.
BOY 4 KILLED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT
By Modou Jonga
Bawuyeh Sonko, a four year old boy, resident in Brikama Kabafita passed away
on Sunday after he was knocked down by a speeding vehicle. After he was
knocked down by the vehicle according to eyewitness, the child lay motionless
This tragic event happened on The Banjul-Soma highway around 12pm. The
vehicle, which hit the child, is numbered G-9, said to be one of the AU Summit
Vehicles.
The late Bawuyeh according to eyewitnesses was said to be crossing the
highway when he was knocked down by the said vehicle and then the body propelled
at a distant, leading to numerous fractures on the head of the victim.
Bloodstains were seen at the scene of the accident. Anelder, a sister of the
deceased was seen weeping as she was being consoled by other grief onlooker at the
spot of the tragic incident.
Similar reactions were noticed from the deceased’s neighbour who silently
manifested sings of shock and grief over the tragic manner, which lead to the
death of the late infant. The late child is said to be a Quranic Student of
the Kabafita Ward Islamic School.
Signs of shock and sorrow were shown by the deceased’s father who visited
the spot of the tragic accident. The body of the late child was taken to the
Brikama Health Centre, where he was officially pronounced death.
Speaking to this reporter, the youths of the area recommended numerous humps
to prevent the reoccurrence of such a tragic accident. Meanwhile, the driver
involved in the tragic accident was taken by the police to the Brikama
Police Station and is said to be helping them in their investigation. The remains
of the late Bawuyeh were interred at the Kabafita/Wellengara Cemetery.
Government delegations were sent to attend the funeral ceremony.
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