EDITORIAL
JAMMEH'S IMF GRAND COMMISSION- A TALE OF A DROWNING PRESIDENT
Octoger 25, 2005
Is this the beginning or the ending of a new Commission of enquiry against
President Jammeh? Jammeh confessing to the IMF? Confession about what? The
Kanilai man is behaving as a legal guru. He cleverly tried to convince the
IMF with his substandard and distorted facts regarding the missing central
bank millions. Jammeh, your letter to the IMF is not only revealing, but
incriminating as well.
We learnt with great shock that state funds were being disbursed without
documentation or proper monitoring. You call it unprogrammed projects.
Could you tell us what these projects were in the interest of justice? We
don't think that the missing millions went to the Kombo Coastal road.
These funds need to be accounted for. The Gambia needs these missing
millions very badly at this hour. Our country is denied development by
some selfish and greedy politicians.
Thanks to our investigative journalists, such a story was uncovered. This
letters are not private as far you continued to occupy the Presidency
Jammeh. The said piece is in the public interest and we harboured no
grudge or malice for publishing such a damning confession letter emanating
from the Presidency in Banjul. We are doing what is expected of us as
responsible journalists. Please take note of this Jammeh.
What is most amazing about Jammeh's letter was his confession about the
central bank missing millions. The question that comes to mind is: Where
was Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy, when Jammeh dispatched such a letter
to the IMF leadership in Washington? It is on record that VP Njie Saidy
had in the recent past denied any financial malpractices at the Central
bank of The Gambia. The VP was quoted as saying that there was no missing
millions at the Central Bank. Now her boss Yahya Jammeh is today saying
that there was indeed a problem at the central bank. Jammeh described the
missing millions as a worrisome development. Now, who among the two is to
be trusted? We are initiating an opinion poll for our readers. Feel free
to vote in this enquiry.
There is nothing wrong for one to own up to his mistakes and try to
address them. What is interesting about Jammeh's assurances to the IMF is
that, he never honoured his promise to tackle the root causes of the
central bank missing millions. Instead, he went ahead to recall fired
corrupt public officials in his government.
Jali Yankuba Touray former Information and tourism minister respectively
was fired because of alleged corrupt practices. Yanks was said to have
sold a greater part of Gambia's Tourism Development reserve Lands to his
friends and close associates, without observing a government policy, which
stipulates among other things-that such lands cannot be disposed without
inviting prospective buyers. Non of the plots of land sold to some
Lebanese and prominent Gambians were advertised in any local newspaper or
radio station. If my memory serves me right, people who purchased lands
from Jali Touray were asked to hand over sale papers issued to them by
Yanks and co to a Commission tasked with the responsibility of probing the
TDA land corruption scandal.
Guess wha? The same Yankauba Touray was rehired by Jammeh, even though
Touray was indicted for corruption by the Paul Commission. Funds amounting
to over D2Million dalasis meant for the Tourism and roots festival annex
office also went missing under Yanks tenure as tourism minister. These
funds are still not accounted for.
To add insult to injury Jammeh also recalled Justice Minister Sheik Tijan
Hydara who was also indicted for corruption by the Paul Commission. The
minister was also linked to land graping and other alleged corrupt
practices. The list goes on and on.... What is the point of writing such a
"confession letter" when you are not ready to implement IMF's request to
end graft and reckless government expenditure?
We need a total clean up of Yahya's government. From Jammeh to the last
man in his government should be probed. Corruption is reaching an alarming
proportion in The Gambia. It sad that our country is being governed by
corrupt politicians. How can the likes of Yanks, Hydara, Jammeh and others
talk about corruption, when their hands are not clean?
We will continue to talk about the central bank issue. We want Jammeh and
co to tell us the whereabouts of the missing millions. We will not rest
until justice is done on this high profile economic crime against the
state. Baba and Lang are serving prison terms. How about other accomplices
walking scot free in the streets of Banjul?
As Lang Conteh is scheduled to be released on October 26, we thought it
necessary to remind him about the Central Bank scam, which led to his
imprisonment. lang is privy of such letters written by Jammeh, Balla and
Famara. We hope and pray that all those who have hands in the Central bank
missing millions will face justice. Jammeh as the President of The Gambia
cannot exonerate himself from wrong doing. Government is about collective
responsibility. We challenge him to resign and allow a credible
transitional government to probe this embarrassing state of affairs.
The ALLGAMBIAN will continue to serve as a watch dog. We have zero
tolerance for corruption and maladministration. Let those presiding the
state of affairs, be aware of our determination to expose graft. As long
you don't want to give up stealing, we will continue to expose you. We
have the know how and the experience to gather such news. Take note of
this Jammeh and co. Jammeh's commission on the central bank continues. We
rest our case.
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