Jabou
  Thanks for the forward it seems there is a shortage of very commodity in that country. Gambia is facing hyperinflation and you did not need to be a graduate of economic to know about that. Life is getting day by day difficult for average household families in both urban and rural areas. Fuel storage. cement shortage soon will be rice shoratage. APRC regime have failed our people dismally. informal sector of our economy which is the major employer is constraint by non functioning state mercenary.

[log in to unmask] wrote:
  Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 70/2007, 18 - 19 June, 2007

Editorial
FUEL SHORTAGE
Economic Sabotage or Attempt To Frustrate
Small Scale Importers
SoS For Finance and SoS for Trade Should Explain
The queues near fuel stations are growing longer. Transportation is becoming 
a problem and the informal economy is being put under strain as small scale 
producers find it difficult to move their goods to markets or do so at 
increased transport cost. What then is the cause of the shortage? The SoS for 
Finance and Economic Affairs and SoS for Trade and should give an explanation.
Foroyaa would like to give them facts to investigate.
First and foremost, we would like to draw their attention to the attempt by 
the SoS for Agriculture to suppress the informal sector in the purchase of 
groundnuts in the 2004/2005 trade season in favour of monopoly by GAMCO. 
Foroyaa cautioned that the Gambian economy depends on the informal sector for its 
survival. Small scale enterprises run by people, generally considered 
illiterates, have proven to be resilient, irrespective of all the shocks the economy 
goes through including the border problem that had already been overcome. 
We emphasized that any attempt to suppress the operation of small scale 
enterprises would lead to closure of market access to farmers, impoverishment of 
retail traders, shortages of commodities, rise in inflation and growth in 
poverty.
Apparently, a government whose economic foundation rests so much on the 
informal sector does not appear to have done a comprehensive study of this sector 
in order to determine the type of policies, institutions and procedures and 
regulations it need to adopt to protect and promote its development.
The present shortage in fuel and rise in the price of cement are clear 
testimonies to the absence of a coherent government economic policy regarding the 
informal sector.
If the SoS for Finance or SoS for Trade disagrees they should call a press 
conference to defend the position of the government. 
One may now ask: How does the absence of a coherent government policy on the 
informal sector contribute to the present shortage in fuel and rise in the 
price of cement?
The answer is simple. Foroyaa was approached by a friend of some informal 
sector operators to indicate that some of them have been asked to stop selling 
fuel they imported because of the claim that they do not possess licence to 
sell fuel.
He claimed that they were advised to go to the Department of State for Trade 
to get the licence. There they were told to go to the commissioner of 
petroleum at the office of the President. There too it is claimed that they were 
asked to write a letter to the Secretary General to find out what should be 
done since that office was also not responsible for issuing the licence alluded 
to by police personnel. He indicated that they were advised to visit Foroyaa’
s office where they are likely to find people who can write the appropriate 
letter for them.
Reviewing the case, it became apparent that the people concerned were in 
possession of certificate of business registration stipulating the sale of fuel 
as their angle of trade, tax identification numbers (TIN), receipts 
indicating payment of income tax and taxes to area council, as well as customs 
receipts for paying duty for importing hundreds of thousands of litres of petrol 
which commenced since 2005. These young entrepreneurs, whom the government have 
been making appealing to rise up to take charge of the informal trade, have 
receipts totalling over 7 million dalasis that they have paid as importers of 
fuel and cement. We could not believe our eyes that the informal sector was 
contributing so much to government revenue. We have asked them to seek an 
appointment with the SoS for Finance who has established a quota for revenue 
collection by the National Revenue Authority. He would then determine whether 
such successful young entrepreneurs need incentive to enhance their business or 
sanctions to drive them out of business. Since the matter had gone all the 
way to the courts we asked the young people to hire legal counsels to maintain 
them on a permanent basis to protect their successful enterprises if they 
fail to get sympathetic hearing from the Secretary of State.
The next day after the advice we were informed that the security forces had 
been instructed to remove about 29,900 litres of fuel from the premises of 
the Gambian entrepreneur for storage at a place determined by a commissioner of 
police.
At the moment, while there is petrol shortage we have been reliably informed 
that that these young entrepreneurs have 70,000 litres of petrol up country 
which they are told not to bring into the Greater Banjul area; that some of 
them have stocks exceeding 49,000 litres in Senegal which they are afraid to 
bring for fear of conflict with the law. The people we met appeared shattered 
for having been put in cells. They claim that as people from religious 
backgrounds who grew up as Arabic students in informal koranic schools, they have 
no way to make it except through honest trade. They claim that they have been 
advised by their religious teachers and parents to respect and abide by the 
law; that before they started their activities they consulted with government 
institutions to get guidance, that up to this time they do not know where they 
have gone wrong.
In our view, while the court has power to play its part, the SoS for Finance 
and SoS for Trade have a duty to provide the conducive environment for young 
Gambian entrepreneurs to carry on legitimate trade.
In our view, investors should not be spending money to search for advice on 
how to invest. It is the duty of government to guide investors to invest.
In short, the Department of State for Trade should have a unit serving as an 
Indigenous Business advisory body that should have identified all the 
businesses functioning in the informal sector, prioritize their volume and prepare 
brochures on the regulatory environment for their smooth registration and 
operation. Such bureaucracy which pushes an investor from one office to another 
is tantamount to economic sabotage, since it frustrates the operators of 
small scale enterprises.
Immediate action is necessary to save the situation.
It is such vacuum in policy and administration which has compelled Foroyaa 
to restructure so that it can take the mantle of a fourth estate. We will have 
a section on economic and social development whose reporters will receive 
reports of all obstructions to the development of enterprises, all tendencies 
towards monopoly which increases inflation and throw light on the protective 
environment by interviewing lawyers and insurance brokers who can help to 
protect the interest of vulnerable enterprises. We will engage the policy makers 
and administrators and challenge them to provide the conducive environment 
necessary for economic and social development to take place or stand exposed. 
Emerging economies from underdevelopment need huge investment and democracy. 
Foroyaa will conduct studies on investment pattern and the requirements for 
democratic solutions of the country. 
All these developments will take place after Foroyaa’s anniversary in August 
2007. 
“See Halifa Sallah’s Interview in the next issue on the restructuring drive.
�

FUEL SHORTAGE HITS AGAIN
By Fabakary B. Ceesay & Yaya Dampha
Since last Wednesday, private and commercial drivers have been experiencing 
difficulty in acquiring fuel for their vehicles to conduct their normal daily 
business due to scarcity of fuel in the country especially within the 
Greater Banjul areas.
On Sunday, Foroyaa reporters went around to various fuel stations within the 
Kanifing Municipality to assess the situation and the problems motorists are 
experiencing. At the Shell petrol station at Churchill Town, the whole 
station was virtually empty. At Castle Filling Station at West Field, there was a 
large queue of waiting vehicles and a group of disgruntled people holding 
empty gallons to get fuel. Sale at this filling station was intermittent rather 
than continuous. There was another large crowd of people at Elton Station 
along Sayerr Jobe Avenue with a long queue of vehicles. Pump attendants were 
seen supplying fuel only to customers that had coupons. Many people complained 
that they are also customers and should be considered. At the Shell Filling 
Station along the same road, no single person or vehicle was there to get fuel. 
A staff member told Foroyaa that there is no single barrel of fuel at their 
company. They said their consignment is on the way and they expect the vessel 
to dock at the ports at any moment from today. Some government drivers with 
coupons from Shell Company indicated that they cannot get their fuel due to 
scarcity at Shell.
A Lebanese businessman told Foroyaa that fuel companies should have measures 
in place to tackle such problems before they arise. He said his business had 
been at a standstill as he could go to work since Friday.

CONTROVERSY OVER A SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
By Abdoulie Dibba
On Monday 11 June 2007, a controversy ensued at the National Assembly over a 
supplementary question between the Speaker, Hon. Netty Baldeh and Hon. Sidia 
Jatta. The controversy arosed following a question raised by the National 
Assembly Member for Lower Fulladu West, Hon. Yerro Mballow, as to whether there 
was any fertilizer purchased for the last cropping season for the farming 
community?
a). If there was no fertilizer purchased, why?
b). If there was any purchase made how much was distributed regionally? 
In response to these questions the SoS for Agriculture, Kanja Sanneh, 
indicated that fertilizer was not purchased for the last cropping season for the 
farming community because there was a balance of stock from the previous season. 
In a supplementary question, the member for Lower Fulladu West, Hon. Yerro 
Mballow, raised the following question: Hon. Speaker, could the SoS tell this 
Assembly whether the balance of fertilizer was adequate for the farming 
community? This question however, led to a controversy as the Speaker ruled out 
the question saying the question was not a supplementary one but a new element. 
But Hon. Sidia rose up to observe that it was indeed not a new element but 
was rather supplementing the main one, making a follow up on the SoS’s reply.
Mr. Netty Baldeh also rose to support what the Speaker had said and went 
further to stress that the Speaker’s position was final because according to him 
the Speaker had already over ruled the question.
The Wuli West NAM rose up to demand from the Speaker to make an observation. 
The Speaker also asked whether it was on the same matter, to which Sidia 
answered in the positive. Netty Baldeh, however, stood up to insist that Sidia 
should not make any further observation on the matter.
Sidia, who must have felt surprised, asked Netty whether he was the Speaker 
of the National Assembly, Netty answered in the negative. The Speaker then 
thanked Netty for helping to protect her and later said the way he saw Sidia 
was like somebody who needed sympathy but Sidia said he did not need sympathy 
and retorted that he did not need sympathy from those who need to be 
sympathised. He, however, emphasize his point on the fertilizer purchases which the 
SoS should clarify but the Speaker insisted that it was still a new element.
The majority leader who rose to defend Hon. Baldeh’s position indicated that 
even if Hon. Jatta was right, the fact is that the Speaker had already 
overruled the supplementary question and that Hon. Jatta’s position should not be 
tolerated.

NAMS SCRUTINISE MANSAKONKO AREA COUNCIL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
National Assembly Members on Tuesday, June 12, questioned the Secretary of 
State for Local Government and Lands on the revenue collected by the 
Mansakonko Area Council (MAC) since 2005, when the Council’s books were last audited 
and how many students are being sponsored by the council. 
Ismaila Sambou, Secretary of State For Local Government and Lands, said the 
Council collected D4,508,182.69 (four million five hundred and eight 
thousand one hundred and eighty-two dalasis sixty-nine bututs) between January 1 to 
December 31, 2005, D4,766,822.95 (four million seven hundred and sixty-six 
thousand eight hundred and twenty-two dalasis ninety-five bututs) from January 
2 to December 31, 2006 and D1,673,573.07 (one million six hundred and 
seventy-three thousand five hundred and seventy-three dalasis seven bututs) from 
January 1 to May 31, 2007.
SoS Sambou also said that the accounts of the Council were last prepared in 
2006, noting that the accounts are currently being audited. When he was asked 
by the member for Jarra Central to shed light on how many students are 
being sponsored by the Council, Mr. Sambou said the Council is sponsoring ten 
students at senior secondary schools, twenty students at upper basic schools, 
ten students at basic cycle schools and one member of staff, at The Gambia 
Technical Training Institute.
Answering a question raised by the minority leader and member for Kiang 
West, Momodou Sanneh, the Secretary of State said the major areas of expenditure 
of the Council in 2005 and 2006 are personal emoluments (salaries), supply 
and service, vehicle maintenance and fuel, health and social service, 
development projects requested by the communities and contributions to “Tesito.�
SoS Sambou added that fifty-one permanent staff were engaged up to December 
2006 by the Council.

BABA JOBE & CO CASE
High Court Dismisses The Defendants’ Application
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The four defendants in the seven million dalasis civil suit filed by the 
Guaranty Trust Bank may file an appeal at The Gambia Court of Appeal. Justice 
Haddy Roche on Friday overruled the application made by lawyer Janet Sallah 
Njie. She ruled that the plaintiff has to prove the allegation against the 
defendants; Philip Thompsett, Lynn Wilson, Lloyd Bourogh and Baba Jobe, a former 
majority leader at the National Assembly. 
Defence Counsel, Mrs. Sallah Njie, on Tuesday, June 12, submitted that the 
defendants are not liable to the claim made by the plaintiff and urged the 
court to dismiss the case. When her application was turned down on Friday, she 
told the court that she would appeal against the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
In delivering the ruling on the matter, Justice Roche stressed that in the 
statement of the plaintiffs it alleged that the defendants had agreed to pay, 
therefore, the court would go ahead with the hearing of the matter.
The judge also ruled that the court cannot dismiss the matter and put the 
case into a controversy, adding that the case needs to be tried to prove the 
allegation the plaintiffs are making against the defendants.

FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE 1981 POLITICAL CRISIS
Sir Dawda Given A New Mandate; Dibba Lost His Seat, Awaits Court Verdict
With Suwaibou Touray
We have been using this column to focus on politics, in general, and Gambian 
politics in particular. In the last issue we have dealt with the 1982 
election campaign where the opposition leader was detained, pending the outcome of 
his trial as he was accused of treason and many other offences. We have 
stopped where we said, ‘during the state of emergency, the illiterate politicians 
did not know then that one could hardly do or say anything during the 
campaign without putting oneself in trouble’. Let us continue from where we have 
stopped.
The results of both the presidential and parliamentary elections which were 
held simultaneously were not a surprise to many enlightened observers. The 
President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, won a landslide victory and many 
parliamentary candidates of the ruling PPP also won, giving them another clear 
majority and mandate to manage the affairs of the country for the next five years, 
1982 to 1987.
For the opposition NCP, even though, they had gone through the whole episode 
with dignity, the number of seats had infact dropped. They had lost what was 
considered their main seat, that of Central Baddibu, to Honourable Lamin 
Kebba Saho of the PPP who contested against S.M Dibba. However they emerged 
triumphantly with the Illiasa and Lower Baddibu seats, as well as Bakau. This was 
understandable given the circumstances in which the seeming contest was 
staged.
For the next contentious area, the URD, Mr. Bubacarr Baldeh, an independent 
candidate, managed to defeat the ruling party candidate with a clear margin 
despite the fact that the NCP filed a candidate in the same place. This was a 
clear indication that if the people will it, they could decide the course of 
events despite all the loopholes against them.
The other independent, Mr. A.K Touray of Sandu also defeated a high profiled 
PPP candidate after a tough campaign which appeared like a semi war. Despite 
all the threats and intimidation, the people decided that Alh Musa Dabo 
should not represent them. Mr. M.C Cham, of Tumana, however, escaped the 
independent net. He defeated Mbemba Tambedou, a new comer to the scene. But Mr. Kebba 
Fadera, a lone independent in the Kiangs defeated Hon. J.L.B Daffeh, a long 
term serving Parliamentarian who also served as Cabinet Minister of Health, 
Labour and Social Welfare, and of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well 
as a Parliamentary Secretary.
So the independents emerged with a clean bill of health but the fear 
remained as to whether the government was going to allow Mr. Bubacarr Baldeh who 
appeared to have spearheaded the group to continue operating as head of the 
Freedom From Hunger Campaign (FFHC), an NGO.
The question was very valid because, at the time, no matter how competent 
one was, if one stood under the banner of an opposition ticket in an election, 
one would be barred from not only holding government positions but all 
attempts would be made to stifle one’s private initiative from progressing so that 
one eventually succumbs to the mercy of the ruling party. But if one were to 
stand under the ruling party banner and failed, according to M.B Jones in the 
Outlook newspaper, everything would be done to rehabilitate that person. 
On 11 May 1982, the President was sworn in. This was the first time in 
Gambian history for a President to be seen being sworn in an open ceremony. The 
then Speaker of the House, Sir Alieu Sulayman Jack; the Chief Justice of The 
Gambia, Sir Phillip Bridges, Ministers of State, Justices of the Supreme Court 
of The Gambia and Sierra Leone, Solicitors, dignitaries and ’ VIP’s’ were 
all present to make the occasion look like as it was the first of its kind in 
history.
Infact, a red carpet was even spread for the President to walk on leading to 
the dais where Sir Dawda and the First Lady were seated. They were of course 
flanked by special uniformed military officials from Senegal, who still 
controlled the security of the country. The President, after taking oath, 
thanked the people for the overwhelming vote of confidence that they bestowed on 
him at the recent elections. He promised to maintain his past performance and 
solicited their support and co-operation as in the past.
Sir Dawda spoke lengthily. He said the elections were free and fair and 
peaceful. He blamed drought and world inflation for the economic problems and 
said it was also mainly due to the limited natural resources. He also blamed the 
international media for deliberately ignoring these difficulties; minimizing 
their achievements and exaggerating their shortcomings in a mischievous 
attempt to ridicule them and the country. He however emphasized that they are 
proud of their achievements. He finally said his Government would continue to 

=== message truncated ===

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤