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
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