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It Is Not Enough Only To Dismiss Says APRC Youth Leader
The Independent <http://www.qanet.gm/Independent/independent.html>  (Banjul)
June 9, 2000
By Biram SaidyBah
Banjul - Omar Beyai the secretary to the APRC youth wing of Serrekunda west has
argued that it was not enough only to dismiss wrongdoers, working with the
government without charging them for their acts.
During an exclusive interview with The Independent at his residence, following
the report over BBC recently that since Jammeh came to power, he had sacked
almost 40 cabinet ministers.
'It is interesting to note that those sacked during this period are always seen
with fancy cars around town after they have been sacked. They live more
luxurious lifestyles', he claimed. He recommended that so long as they are
sacked for doing wrong, they should face commissions of inquiry to recover state
funds if they are involved in instances of mismanagement. He cited the period
immediately following the overthrow of the PPP regime when its officials were
not spared from appearing in any commission of inquiry. He expressed fear that
people appointed in offices could loot enough with the realisation that the only
punishment for them is only a sack.
He urged the head of state to be mindful of such elements within the government
whom he described as 'opportunists.'
On the student riot Mr. Beyai in a marathon speech condemned the riot itself and
the killing, observing that justice must take its course. 'Whosoever is
responsible for the act should dance to the tune' he suggested. He described
both the people who ordered the shooting and those who executed the orders as
murderers. He recommended the need for the commission to clear this issue so
that the culprits are brought to book.
He said whether this incident would degrade the ruling APRC party, Mr. Beyai
said it has nothing to do with his party. He argued that his APRC party was
never behind the riot and it would be unfair to blame it for the unfortunate
act. He described the riot as a national concern and that it was not confined to
any party as those affected are from all parties of the country.
Mr. Beyai also spoke on his party's stance about a coalition of opposition
political parties as happened in neighbouring Senegal. He noted that such
coalition is not possible in The Gambian context since there was a vast
difference in the ideologies of the opposition parties. He said in addition to
the difference in ideologies, it is also going to be difficult for opposition
parties in The Gambia to come together, observing that leadership crisis may
arises between their leaders. He pointed out that the coalition process in
Senegal is 'cracking' down because of party differences.
On the failure of the co-operation movement Mr. Beyai said it is a national
problem not a party one.
He argued that the failure of many projects in the country is not uncommon and
so the co-operative movement could not be seen as an exception. He blamed the
National Assembly for failing to act at the right time. 'If this assembly is
always talking about project failures, what are they doing as representatives of
the people' he queried.
He recommended that National Assembly members should set up committees to take
care of the projects 'than just sitting in office talking about project
failures.' He said the reason for representing the people in parliament was to
represent them in the most articulate way, caring for their resources and making
sure that these resources are put to good use.
On whether he was confident that his party would win the 2001 general elections
with it being blamed for some national problems, the confident looking youth
answered in the affirmative. He noted that his party was the only one that could
lead The Gambia forward. H e expressed confidence that his council is going to
be controlled by the APRC party. He also noted that it is left to the people
whether he will be a candidate in the elections. He urged youth to avoid
entirely depending on government for employment but advised that instead young
people should engage themselves in self-employment if the need arises.

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