Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues

Issue No. 80/2005, 13-16 October, 2005

Editorial

ELECTION PETITIONS, THE LAW AND THE PRACTICE

Elections do not end with the declaration of results. This is why all participants in elections should abide by the rules.

Readers would recall that under the first republic election petitions had been filed and successfully concluded. This infact led to two by-elections after the 1987 General Elections. Under the 1996 Elections Decree there are provisions to contest election results.

The Election Decree states that a person who voted or had a right to vote at a particular election, a person who claims have had a right to be elected or a candidate may file an election petition to claim the following reliefs:

(a)        declaration that the election is void; (b) declaration that the return of the person elected was undue or wrong (c) a declaration that a candidate ought to have been declared the winner.

Every election partition is tried by the chief justice.



During such a trial the court may order the production and inspection of voting cards, ballot tokens and consider any evidence of that touches on the outcome of the elections.

After the four by elections the Gambia public is anxiously waiting to see whether any candidate will file an election petition. If the APRC Candidate for Serrekunda Central is serious in saying that NADD was engaged in buying voting cards an election petition would be the means to reverse the election results. In upper Saloum any claim of irregularities in the elections can only be challenged through an election petition.

 Needless to say the courts are the final arbiters of the democratic process. Once the courts are impartial and independent, once they are administered by upright and knowledgeable judges, what ever wrong is done during the voting process can be set right by the courts.

It is such a check and balance system that can secure the ultimate triumph of justice despite the fragility of institutions established to exercise direction or control over the conduct of elections. The September 29th by elections are yet to be history. The courts may still be a part of the history. Foroyaa is waiting for the deadline for filing election petitions for National Assembly elections to elapse before drawing the conclusion.



NO JUSTIFICATION

FOR LACK OF SALARY INCREMENT

SAYS HALIFA

Responding to a question raised by Hon. Demba Dem, member for Niani, as to whether the Department of State for Finance is considering increasing civil servants’ salaries, SOS Ngum indicated that a Salary increase can only be considered within the context of a budget and as the budget for 2006 is being prepared, it would be premature to indicate what will be included in the coming budget. Reacting to this, the minority leader and member for Serrekunda Central Halifa Sallah indicated that they cannot possibly justify going beyond the 2006 budget without increasing the Salaries of the civil servants across the board. Hon. Sallah indicated that the rising cost of living coupled with the fact that the Executive has increased their salaries from D86, 000 to D170, 000 with D36, 000 responsibility allowance and D36, 000 house rent allowance justify the increment of the salaries of the civil servants across the board, especially pensioners. Pensioners, he said, are suffering intensively.
 Halifa also said that in the market, a kilo of meat is D100 and a bag of rice is sold at D500 plus, considered as the cheapest. He added that this rice is not of good quality because if the cooked and kept rice over night it becomes inedible. He noted that in the face of such high prices pensioners are paid D50, D100 or D200 a month. He finally pointed out that this is not something that can enable one to live.



COMMISSIONER BADJIE REACTS

“THE DECISION IS MADE BY GOVERNMENT”



By Fatou Janneh

The commissioner of Brikama, Mr. Abdou F.M Badjie, on Monday shed light on the demolition of houses that took place on the 5th of this month, along the Bafuloto Road.

According to Mr. Badjie, the exercise was carried out because the site has been allocated to NAWEC some 3 years back; and that they (the victims) have been notified. He said that if one looks at the high tension wires that come up to the site, one should know that it is meant for heavy engines which will provide the much needed electricity for the entire country.”

Mr. Badjie told this reporter that when the directive was given, the victims were informed that if they have the right documents (valid papers) they can present them forward and whatever is spent would be compensated.

The commissioner clarified that it is in the government’s interest to give its citizenry shelter so whoever has not got shelter, shall be provided with one; that the decision is made by government and that he is sure that government is ready for any eventuality.”

He, however, disclosed that this demolition has led to the displacing of families but he quickly added that victims were given notices since the 20th of September 2005, for them to voluntarily relocate to another place.

When asked by this reporter what would have been the best alternative, he posited that the land (the said site) needs to be reserved for electricity (energy) which is a great thing for development and that the entire division needs electricity for their development.

In respond as to whether the victims have been paying taxes , the commissioner in his words said “I do not know. I’m not quite sure” He however maintained that all land in Kombo Central, Kombo North, Kombo South and parts of Kombo East are state lands and therefore, before anyone acquires land, one must go through the right channel. Mr. Badjie denied that the said place has been sold to TAF Construction revealed by a victim to this reporter.

“That is baseless! It is an unfounded allegation. Government does not sell land and government will not sell land,” he fumed.

Commissioner Badjie noted that NAWEC has a per-metre to occupy and therefore, no one should be within that area.

“Those at the proposed site should try to move immediately so that we can start development. The African Development and The Islamic Development Banks (ADB and IDB respectively), have also pledged money so that ‘heavy machinery can be bought. Energy generated into electricity is meant for the people of the Gambia and therefore where other towns have electricity why not Brikama?” The Commissioner questioned Highlighting on the issue, the Chief of Kombo North, Dembo Santang Bojang, urged the victims to be calm and understanding; that because what has happened is meant to facilitate development and that they only have to bear. He indicated that the place has been demarcated and it has been chosen by the government for the development of the entire community of Brikama.

“Well I have nothing to do but to concur. I was at the scene because of my responsibility as a chief but all other subsequent days it was the responsibilities of the technician that is, physical planning and surveys,” he revealed.

The Chief solemnly added that “we have to appeal to the land administration board so that they can re-allocate them land where they can relocated with there families.



MASS RESIGNATION HITS PRISONS

The prison service is never short of controversy. The resignation of ten junior officers last week and this week has irked the prison high command under the leadership of David Colley. The disgruntled junior officers who tendered their resignation are aggrieved with what some of them described as the lack of motivation at the prison Department. Some of those who resigned have already joined the country’s immigration service.

Some of those who resigned are sergeant Lamin Keita, Sergeant Malang Sidibeh, Corporal Louie Mendy, Corporal Sarjo Jarjue, Corporal Ousman Bah, Corporal Isatou Touray, Private Kebba Jadama and Private Cham.

According to our source, the sergeants and the corporals who resigned have joined the immigration Department. According to our source, the first person to resign is Kebba Jadama who was demoted from the rank of corporal. Our source have if that Director General David Colley who is exasperated by the move of the junior officers, has expressed his resolve to put in place hard and fast rules to deter any reoccurrence. However, it is purported that the lack of promotion and other forms of motivation at the prison service is likely to compel other junior officers to join sister services. According to our source, a good number of disgruntled prison officers have also joined the police.



JUSTICE PAUL LOCKED IN CONTROVERSY

Another controversy surrounding the continued sitting of Justice Paul as a high court judge. The Chief Justice in an interview with FOROYAA Newspaper dated 10-12 October 2005 argued that “There is no legal conviction made by a court of law against Justice Paul. We just cannot victimize him and we have no legal basis to suspend him because we are not conducting any investigation against Honorable Justice Paul as a Justice of the High court Bench.”

The Gambia Bar Association has met to consider the continued sitting of Justice Paul as a High Court Judge. With the exception of one abstention they unanimously agreed that it is unethical for Justice Paul to continue sitting as a High Court Judge. The full text of press release issued by the Bar on this matter is as follows:



It has come to the notice of The Gambia Bar Association that the Inspector General of Police has now been instructed to investigate the activities of MR. Justice Madabuchi A. Paul and others in respect of the findings made by the National Assembly Select Committee concerning certain land transactions by the Assets Management and Recoveries Corporation (AMRC) during the time he served there as Legal Adviser.

The Gambia Bar Association considers it highly unethical that MR. Justice Madabuchi A. Paul should continue sitting as a judge of the High Court, whiles he and others are being investigated for matters that may turn out to be criminal.



Accordingly, The Gambia Bar Association has except for one abstention unanimously decided that none of its members will appear in court before MR. Justice Madabuchi A. Paul, pending the resolution of this unfortunate and troubling matter.



The understanding and forbearance of the public at large, especially litigants who have matters pending before MR. Justice

Madabuchi A. Paul’s court, are highly solicited.



PRESIDENT

THE GAMBIA BAR ASSOCIATION



THE NEED FOR GOOD LEADERSHIP

We all know that the need for good leadership in all walks of life is much greater than ever before. Every aspect of living demands guiding hands: business, the professions, the fine arts, the mechanical arts. All of us young people, who have been given the enriching opportunity of an advanced education will in the future be called upon to shoulder varying degrees of the responsibilities to lead and serve the nation.

It is important however to remember that leadership does not mean domination. The world is full of people who wish to rule and dominate others. The true leader is of a different sort. He / she seeks effective activity which has a true beneficial purpose. He / she inspires others to follow in his / her wake, and holding aloft the torch of wisdom, leads the way for society to realize its genuinely great aspirations. We have learnt from the study of history that the story of nations is often told in terms of the accomplishments of individuals. In every significant event in history, you will find courageous and determined leaders, an inspiring goal or objective, and an adversary who sought to foil his / her opportunity to show him / herself as a leader. Even the mechanic or clerk, who has an assistant assigned to him or her, not to speak of the doctor with all the helpers, or the officers who command troops is a leader within his or her own sphere. Each has the same opportunities for
 showing ability, and the same potential satisfaction as has the leader of a government. The leader is marked out by his or her individual craftsmanship, his or her sensibility and insight, his or her initiative and energy.

Leaders are people who raise the standards by which they judge themselves and by which they are willing to be judged. The goal chosen, the objective selected, the requirements imposed, are not merely for their followers alone. They develop with consummate energy and devotion, their own skills and knowledge in order to reach the standards is the basis of all human progress. A love of high quality, we must remember, is essential in a leader.

Dependability is another requirement in a leader. To be dependable is to be willing to accept responsibility, and to carry it out faithfully. A leader should always be willing to take counsel from his or her people, but can sometimes act on what his or her own mind tells him or her is right. This demands that the leader has trained him or herself out of any inordinate fear of making mistakes. To embark successfully on a career involving leadership demands a courageous and determined spirit. Once a person has decided upon his or her life work, and is assured that in doing the work for which he or she is best endowed and equipped, he or she is filling a vital need, what he or she then needs is faith and integrity coupled with a courageous spirit, so that no longer preferring him or herself to the fulfillment of his task.

He or she may address him or herself to the problems he or she must solve in order to be effective. One mark of the great leader is that he or she feels sufficiently secure to devote his or her thoughts and attention to the well being of his or her subordinates and the perfection of his or her task, rather than being constantly worried about the approval or disapproval of others.

He or she who would be a leader must pay the price in self-disciplined and moral restraint. This entails the correction and improvement of personal character, the checking of passions and desires, and an exemplary control of one’s bodily needs and drives. Leaders have to submit themselves to a stricter self-discipline and develop a more exemplary moral character than is expected of others. To be first in place, one must be first in merit as well. It should not surprise us then, to find that the greater number of acknowledged leaders have been people who trained themselves in the art of discipline and obedience. He or she who has not learned to render prompt and willing service to others will find it difficult to win and keep the goodwill and cooperation of his or her subordinates.

Further, a leader must possess initiative, which is the creative ability to think in new ways and do new things. The leader has always to stay ahead. He or she cannot afford to set up a procedure, and then fold his or her hands and linger lazily watching it work. He or she cannot be content merely to see new trends and take advantage of them. He or she must keep his or her imagination vividly alive, so as to originate ideas and start trends. A word of warning is in order here. To help one’s subordinates or dependents at the cost of harm to the public is tantamount to sacrilege and blasphemy. It is unfortunate, that many in position of leadership, both great and small, have been found guilty of such practices. A good leader is devoted to his or her work and will willingly forego even the demands of sleep to see its accomplishment. This does not mean that he is impetuous. On the other hand, he or she maintains a balance between emotional drive and sound thinking. His or her labours,
 which sometimes appear excessive derive from his or her firm realization that unless a main undertakes more than he or she can possibly do he or she will never be able to do all he or she can do. It is his or her enthusiasm that stimulates his or her energy.

The true leader is one who realizes by faith that he or she is an instrument in the hands of God, and must dedicate him or herself to be a guide and inspirer of the noble sentiments and aspirations of the people. He or she will kindle interest, teach, aid, correct and inspire. Those whom he or she leads will cooperate with him or her in maintaining discipline for the good of the group. He or she will guide his or her followers and create in them a sense of mutual effort for attaining the goal…



By Fabakary B. Ceesay

Ebo Town



WHY THERE IS NEED FOR CHANGE IN THE GAMBIA

The 1997 constitution of The Gambia states that The Gambia is a sovereign republic; that the sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from which all organs of government derive their authority which shall be exercised in accordance with the interest and welfare of the people.

Yes, the President and Members of National Assembly are elected by the people at elections which are purported to be free and fair which actually means that they derive their authority from the people and this is in line with the dictates of the constitution.

But the big question that arises which is the subject of this exposition is whether that entrusted power which is derived from the people at the time of elections has been and is being exercised to promote the interest and welfare of the people, which they all solemnly swore to do . Yes, they all swore that they will serve the people according to the constitution and other laws of the land.

The answer to this question should help people to know whether those they have entrusted with their affairs are actually trustworthy or not, for only trustworthy people should be entrusted with the affairs of a people who aspire a life of liberty, dignity and prosperity. If those entrusted with the affairs of a people are not trustworthy, then they can only succeed in subjugating and dehumanizing the people and living like lords over them, in which case they cannot be regarded as a sovereign people.

The answer to the question above is an emphatic “No.” With the exception of the opposition National Assembly members, the President and his Cabinet and his APRC National Assembly  members have shown in their words and actions for the past 11 years that they are not worthy of trust. This is why the lives of the people are deplorable in every aspect.

The opposition National Assembly members are exceptions because they have always openly shown their objection to the retrogressive and oppressive laws that were passed in the National Assembly. They have also always shown their disapproval of the actions and omissions of the government or any exercise of authority which is detrimental to the interest and welfare of the people. They are also known to be giving sincere advice to the government on fundamental issues affecting the lives of the people and the state. One can say without any fear of being bias that they have over the years sincerely discharged the trust bestowed upon them by the people accordingly. They have proven themselves worthy to be entrusted with the affairs of the people. Such are the kinds of people the electorate should entrust with their affairs.

Without any desire to digress it must be noted that the electorate should also bear in mind that they themselves are also trustees in that the population of the country is now over one million people but not all of these people are qualified to be voters even though they are also citizens. Only a few among the lot are voters. This means that they have fulfilled certain criteria which qualify them to voter status. It is expected that the mental faculty of those that are considered voters has matured enough to distinguish what is good or bad for themselves and their society, and will not knowingly act against the general interest. It is this expectation about them which qualified them to be voters. That in itself demonstrates trust. Therefore, they are expected to discharge that trust by electing people into public office who are honest, just, humble and knowledgeable. Anything short of doing this will amount to a betrayal of trust on their part for which they shall never be forgiven
 by their children and children’s children, because electing people unworthy of trust into public office only breeds conditions of insecurity, poverty, disease and hardship. The condition of the lives of the people is always determined by the kind of people charged with the responsibility of protecting their interest. If ignorant, dishonest, unjust and greedy people are charged with the affairs of the people, then they become arrogant and make bad laws to disempower and oppress the people, pursue bad policies to mismanage public funds and make what belongs to all their own. They will live in a heaven on earth while the people, whose lives they are entrusted with and who are the producers of the wealth of the nation, live in hell. It is sad to say but this is what has happened to us for all these years. We have been electing into public office people the majority of whom are not worthy of trust probably due to irrelevant considerations such as language, religious and family ties or
 because of fear or inducement. This is why once they assume the power entrusted to them by the people, they make it their own and make every effort, even at the expense of the people, to maintain it. They refuse to accept that entrusted power should always be returned without the slightest hesitation. They try to ensure that the mechanism which ensures genuine transfer of entrusted power from one hand to another is corrupted by unconstitutionally removing and replacing the Chairman of the IEC and other members, and make unjust laws to dispossess it of its powers to take independent decisions or actions. That way they hope to remain in power even against the will of the people.

Through their numerical strength in the National Assembly, they were able to dispossess the people of their power to select their other trustees such as Chiefs and Alkalolu, who they use as instruments to further control the people instead of the people controlling them. In other words, they are transformed into instruments of oppression. Those people must do everything to keep their master in power for a false sense of security. Since they have taken entrusted power as their own, then automatically the wealth of the people also has been transformed as theirs. They can dispose of it as they wish without the authorization of the law. That is why millions of dalasis can be spent lavishly on irrelevant activities without having to inform the people about the source and if you ask you are told it is from Allah’s World Bank. Those who are known to have embezzled millions of dalasis belonging to the suffering people are re-appointed to be charged with their affairs and people are told that
 they will not benefit from their sweat if they do not support them, even though they have proven themselves unworthy of that support both in words and deeds.

The reality which is as clear as daylight is that under this kind of system where only one man rules, no one is safe and secure. Even those who pretend to be royal, whatever sense of ease and security they may have is false. They are always on the edge. They themselves know that whenever their master sees in their fellows a better tool to serve his purpose than them, they will be discarded. This is why they have to constantly compete with one another to show the master that they are the best tools. There is no sense of security in such ignorable acts. No one in the present Gambia seems to have job security: not Secretaries of State or Directors of public institutions, or the farmers, or the businessmen, or the National Assembly members particularly those members of the APRC party who have surrendered themselves to the president just like sheep being led to the slaughter-house because they empowered him to determine and decide their fate as small children on the play ground. Such a
 power should not be left in the hands of an individual member. This is why anyone who is able to recognize the features of dictatorship in the present administration of the country should not strain his eyes to search for its roots anywhere other than in the organizational set-up of the APRC. The APRC symbolizes darkness and NADD (National Alliance for Democracy and Development) light. That is why we are all going in for NADD and come October 2006 NADD will take over to make this once a Smiling Coast to smile again and forever.



By Fabakary Trawally

Baddibu Salikenni



At The National Assembly

NAMs Scrutinizing The Executive on NYSS

During the Question and Answer Session at the National Assembly, the Member for Banjul South, Hon. Alex S. Carvalho raised the following question:

Mr Speaker, the NYSS apprenticeship programme had funding from HIPC Funds. Now that this is not available, could the Secretary of State for Youth Sports and Religious Affairs tell this august gathering what other source of funding is available to continue this worthwhile programme since local municipalities with the exception of Brikama Area Council failed to comply with the directive made by their state department, that is, paying 10% of the fees to train corps members, being an agreement reached between your state department and the department of state for local government and lands in 2002?

In response, SoS Samba Faal pointed out that in previous years, the NYSS, apart from the subvention allocated to it by the Department of State for Youth Sports and Religious Affairs, also enjoyed budgetary support from HIPC funds. He noted with regret that the HIPC funds are not available this year. He noted that this has affected all the other departments of state. However, to compensate for the loss, the department of state for youth, sports and religious affairs had successfully been able to negotiate with the department of state for finance and Economic Affairs to increase the subvention of the NYSS by 50% of the amount previously allocated under HIPC. SoS Faal said the NYSS in its drive to attain sustainability, continues to embark on income generating projects aimed at augmenting its budget, noting that its orchard at Nyaneberri and rice fields at Sapu are a good source of income. He went on to say that to further supplement its budget, NYSS plans to venture into production
 lines in carpentry, welding, fabrication and auto-mechanics



Hon. Carvalho also asked the following question: Mr Speaker, considering the large number of youth who are not in school and have not acquired any skills, could the Secretary of State for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs tell us whether NYSS is contemplating to enroll more youths considering that 420 intakes is on the low side.

In response, SoS Samba Faal said that the NYSS is executing its mandate in the training of unemployed youth and has to date been working tremendously hard to ensure that those youth who are within its remit, from age 13 to 25 and are willing to join the scheme, are recruited and equipped with vocational skills to enable them find gainful employment in order to enable to become meaningful and respectable members of society. However, he said the Department of State for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs may consider scaling the number of intakes, if and when it is deemed necessary. “It may interest the Honorable member to note that each of the administrative divisions has been allocated a quota of 30 places but only two divisions have so far been able to meet this target.”



Hon. Carvalho now raised the following questions: Mr Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs tell us how soon the Department of State for Youth and Sports will have offices in all the divisions in order to decentralise NYSS in its fullest sense?

In response, SoS Samba Faal noted that the Department of State through the Youth and Sports Department has offices which are staffed by youth coordinators, amongst others, in all the divisions in the country. “To further make youth affairs more visible in the rural areas, the NYSS has an office in Sapu, with a staff compliment of five and a hostel that can accommodate up to fifty youths.” With regards to the intakes at the NYSS, SoS Faal said that it has been decentralised since its inception in 1996. “Every Division has the opportunity to bring in 30 youths and this has been ongoing except where youths are not willing to join the scheme.”

It was put to the SOS that youths are not willing to join the scheme because at the end of their training they join the ranks of the unemployed. SoS Faal indicated that youths were given loans after their training to start something, a loan which was 100% cash and instead of starting to work, the youths decided to go abroad.

The Member Jarra West, Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh asked SoS Faal for the number or percentage of the graduates. In response SoS Faal said he was not in a position to state the number.

The Minority Leader and Member for Serrekunda Central asked SoS Faal who the focal points are for enlisting intakes in the Division are. In response SoS Faal said Area Councils and Municipalities. Halifa Sallah suggested to SoS Faal to constitute a task force to find out why youths are not joining the scheme in order to know the problem. SoS Faal promised to do that.



“TEACHERS ARE SILENT NATION BUILDERS”

SAYS OMAR NDURE

By Musa Barrow

Teachers from all over the six administrative divisions in The Gambia, under the umbrella of Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) and various stakeholders in the education sector on Wednesday 5th October 2005 celebrated World Teachers’ Day. The celebration, which is an annual event, took the form of a procession by the participants from Palma Rima junction to Senegambia Beach Hotel, where a symposium was organised and the theme for this year’s celebration is “Quality Teachers for Quality Education”.

In her introductory remarks, the Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs. Rohey Sillah, who is also the First Vice President of GTU indicated that a World Teachers’ Day was set aside on 5th October 1966 as a result of various conventions by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). She said World Teachers’ Day should be a day when teachers all over the globe reflect on the challenges of the teaching profession and come up with alternative ideas suggesting the way forward.

Mr. Essa Sowe, the Acting General Secretary of the GTU, used the occasion to pay tribute to the founding members of GTU and the souls of departed colleagues, whom he described as “fallen heroes”. Mr. Sowe recognized the immensely important role played by those who laid the foundation of GTU. He said without the untiring efforts of those brave men and women they wouldn’t have achieved what they achieved that day. Mr. Sowe also deplored the killing of six teachers in Iraq by violent extremists on 25th September 2005. He called on governments all over the world to ensure that teachers are protected from all forms of violence and abuse. He finally called on his colleagues to be proud of their profession, noting that teaching is a very noble profession.

In his speech, the President of GTU, Mr. Omar Ndure, described teachers as silent nation builders. Mr. Ndure pointed out that all other professions such as lawyers, doctors, etc must have passed through a teacher. He therefore emphasized the role of teachers in nation building as indispensable. Mr. Ndure mentioned the setting up of Gambia Teachers Credit Union, which helps in giving out loans to teachers and the annual summer classes organised by GTU in order to build or improve the capacity of its members as two major significant achievements of his organization.

During his presentation in the symposium, Mr. Omar Ndure highlighted the important role played by teachers in bringing quality education. He reminded the gathering the following statement: “A bad surgeon hurts his / her patient one at a time, but a bad teacher hurts his / her students a hundred at a time. “A teacher’s role is to irrigate a desert, not to clear a forest. The dream of quality education would be a complete fantasy if the best university professors are paid less than a worst football coach and the working conditions of teachers are the learning conditions of students,” he stressed.

Mr. Ndure went on to say that lack of incentives in the teaching profession of this country and poor working conditions as factors contributing to the dwindling number of teachers. He challenged Gambia College to put in more robust screening policies in recruiting potential teachers at the School of Education. According to Mr. Ndure there can be no quality education if the teachers who teach have not got the right qualifications themselves. Omar Ndure finally called on the government of the Republic of The Gambia to look into the conditions of teachers and make conditions right for them in order to save this noble profession from becoming the job of desperate people.

On his part, the representative of the SoS for Education, Mr. Kunkung Jobarteh, noted that the best teacher is not the one who masters his subject area alone, but the one who also sets a bright example in front of his students. He urged the teachers to be role models in the society and be committed to their job. He thanked the Department of State for Education for their unflinching support to teachers.

Speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, Mr. Borry Colley, the National Assembly member for Foni Jarrol, vowed to restore sanctity in the educational system of this country. He promised that the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education would do everything within its power to ensure that the practice of paying salaries to ‘ghost’ teachers is put to an end. He also promised that to track down the perpetrators of this dubious act. He called on the decentralization of the education department, noting that there is a need to empower the various regional education offices.

The Head of the School of Education, Mrs. Isatou Ndow, noted that Gambia College has a very important role to play in improving the quality of education in this country because it is the only teacher training institution in The Gambia. She pointed out the fact that the college has also got its own constraints such as lack of resources. Mrs. Ndow cited the recent curriculum review workshop by Gambia College as a clear manifestation of the college’s readiness to train more effective and efficient teachers.



DETAILS ON THE BY-ELECTION AND GUN SHOTS IN JARRA WEST

The jubilant supporters of NADD were on Thursday, harassed by the police intervention unit, stationed in Jarra, minutes after Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh was declared the winner. The first attack came when members of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), under the command of O/C Kolley of Mansakonko, came out of the counting centre and ordered his men to disperse the NADD supporters.

This incident resulted in a hand-to-hand fight between the two groups. However, the NADD supporters retrieved and gathered in Pakalinding to escort their candidate chanting victory songs and going towards their party’s bureau in Soma. Upon reaching Soma the PIU members were found waiting for the crowd just ten metres away from the NADD Bureau. The PIU men started pushing the crowd and at first used batons and belts in order to disperse the NADD supporters.

When they saw that the thousands of jubilant supporters were determined to go ahead, they used rifle belts to hit them.

At this point, Mr. Dampha and Modou Sarr of NADD disembarked from their vehicle and approached the O/C to ask him why his men were beating their supporters. But to their surprise, the commissioner of LRD, Mr. Landing F.S. Manneh, shouted on the police O/C, telling him to disperse the crowd. The police O/C, Kolley, told Mr. Dampha that he had received orders from the top to disperse their supporters and that they must disperse.

At this point, the O/C ordered the PIU to open fire upon receipt of the order, the first PIU started firing in the air. This led to a confrontation. Two PIU men sustained serious injuries and one of them, Landing Tamba, was hospitalized at the Soma Health centre.

No one got injured among the NADD supporters but valuables like cell phones and watches got lost. The following day, the NADD campaign team presented eight live rounds to Mansakonko IEC office with a report on the incident, after their victory. Upon receiving the items, Mr. Sarah Grey-Jonson showed her disapproval of the use of fire arms by the PIU.



VENDORS CRY FOUL



By George Sambou

Vendors in Brikama seriously complained to the Brikama Area Council for what they describe as an unfair treatment meted out to them by the Council.

In a recent visit to the market, Sainabou Bojang, a fishmonger told this reporter that their stalls were recently demolished by the area council. According to her, they were informed by the area council that their stalls may cause fire. “How can stalls without electricity cause fire?” she asked. “Really we don’t know the reason behind their action and we are paying our taxes as expected. Mrs. Bojang concluded by calling on the BAC to revisit their action.

Aminata Camara, also a fishmonger, said that she was completely taken by surprise when officials from the BAC came and started to demolish their stalls. She explained that when she tried to enquire about the reason, she was given flimsy excuses.

Many vendors who spoke to this reporter have expressed similar sentiments. At the market this reporter saw a lot of vendors who were sweating profusely because of the heat of the sun, as there was no shade to protect them.

When contacted the PRO of BAC said that he was not aware of the incident as he was just from a trip to Dakar and that he was also suffering from Malaria so he could say anything on the matter.



JUDGES ASSIGNED SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Sources at the High court have informed this paper that the chief Justice of the Gambia, Steven Alan Brobbey, had on the 23rd day of September 2005 assigned judges at High Court special responsibilities. Readers could recall that as part of ongoing reform at the High court, Chief Justice Brobbey had divided the High Court into various divisions. The various divisions of the High court are headed by the following judges;

1.         Justice MA Paul – Criminal Division.

2.         Justice Mabel M Yamao – Civil and Land Division

3.         Justice Izuako – Commercial Division

4.         A new judge yet to come will head the miscellaneous division.

5.         A new judge who is yet to come will head the Brikama High court.

6.         A new judge who is yet to come will preside over civil, Land and criminal matters.

The Source further indicated that the principal registrar and his subordinates were advised to transfer all cases to the various courts before the 10th of October 2005, and that sittings will be as follows 9.00 – 10.30. Second session11 -12.30 and third session 1.00 – 13.30pm.





Issue No. 81/2005, 17-19 October, 2005



Editorial

NO NEED TO DESPAIR!

The youths of The Gambia, the youths of Africa are desperate. Conditions have become unbearable. They are willing to nestle any agony, face all forms of hardship, knowingly risking their very lives in search of greener pastures. One can imagine the pain and suffering that many African youth have to face in their venture to Europe via Morocco! No amount of deportation can stop them from returning.

Our reporter witnessed an encounter between a youth and an uncle who informed the youth of news that many Africans, maybe, Gambians included, have been dumped in the desert by Moroccan security forces which had led to many deaths. He was not moved and he left the following day for the same route, fully aware of the risks and tribulations.

To such youth, life is meaningless in the land of his birth to the extent that he is willing to face any risk and tribulation to acquire a worthy and meaningful life. The interviews conducted by Bubacarr Sowe reveals the state of mind of the Gambian youth.

At the time of going to press FOROYAA received information that a list of 73 names of Gambians known to be in Morocco had been submitted to the government, that another 60 Gambians are missing and 6 came back with the Senegalese. Also, at the time of going to press, FOROYAA received unconfirmed reports that a plane load of Gambians was scheduled to arrive on Sunday afternoon together with the Gambian ambassador.

This turmoil and indignation cannot continue. It must cease. The Gambia must change to make life acceptable to its citizens including the youth; a Gambia that can provide employment and economic progress to its youth, to pre-empt the need to sojourn for a livelihood.

You the youth are the future of the Gambian nation and you must not allow yourselves to be treated as second class citizens in your own land. You are not provided with any outlet, yet the President turns around and insults you as lazy bones. The next minute he tricks you by giving you crumbs in the form of barbecue and gifts, to cool your temper and win your sympathy.

Open your eyes. The wealth of this nation belongs to all of us. You have your share. The country belongs to us. You have a say on how it is run and who must run it. You have to take a stand. The future of The Gambia is not bleak. It is bright. You only need to act decisively and maturely. You have to attend all political gatherings and listen to all politicians. Distinguish between the tricksters and the true servants of the people.

There is no need to despair. We in the Gambia are quite capable of building a democratic, prosperous and dignified Gambia if we vote for change.





Hamat Bah Files Election Petition

The candidate for the National Alliance for Democracy and Development, Mr Hamat Bah, who contested the Upper Saloum seat at the by-election held on 29 September, 2005 has filed an election petition in the High Court. The APRC candidate, Mr Sainey Mbye, was declared elected by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) at the election.

In his petition, Mr Bah is requesting the court to determine that Mr Sainey Mbye was not duly elected or returned, or that the election was void by reason of intimidation, undue influence and/or deception.



1. According to the petition, prior to the holding of the by-election, when Mr Bah became aware of the transfers of voters in violation of the Elections Decree, he addressed a letter to the IEC demanding that the said transfers be expunged from the register of voters. The IEC responded in a letter expressing its unwillingness to do so.

The petition lists down sixty names of persons it alleges have not changed their residence but were allowed to transfer their votes to Upper Saloum from Niamina East, Sami, Kombo North, Banjul Central and Jeshwang.



2. The petition also lists down the names of thirteen (13) persons who voted at the by-elections even though their names do not appear on the register of voters, contrary to the order the high court gave the IEC that it should not allow any person whose name does not appear on the register of voters to vote at the by-election.



3. The petition further claims that the election was void by reason of intimidation and/or undue influence of the voters by security agents who were acting in furthering the fortunes of the APRC candidate in the following manner:

a) During the campaign and few days before polling, nine (9) persons (all listed) mostly from Taiba were arrested by the immigration personnel at Kaur under the pretext that they were in possession of the national ID cards when they were not Gambians. Mr Bah protested to the Director General of Immigration and the SoS for the Interior but to no avail. The arrestees were deprived of their right to vote because they were not released till 6 p.m. on Thursday 29th September, after the closure of polls.

b) The police intervention unit (PIU) commonly known as the paramilitary, under the command of Manlafi Sanyang on Monday, 26th September 2005 arrested four (4) NADD supporters (all listed) from Taiba, where Mr Hamat Bah enjoys unrivalled support. The four NADD supporters were detained at the Njau Police Station till Friday, 30th September 2005 (ie. after the closure of polls) when they were released. They have not been charged to court with the commission of any offence.

c) The armed personnel of the PIU went to Taiba Village where they fired shots in the air and threatened to arrest any person who goes out to vote.

d) On the day of the by-election armed personnel of the PIU mounted a check point at Kerr Gibi. Any person from Taiba, Kerr Auldi and other villages will have to pass through Kerr Gibi in order to get to the polling station allocated to voters from Taiba. One Alpha Sallah of Kerr Auldi was detained by the PIU at the check point. As a result of the intimidation, voters from Taiba, Kerr Auldi and other villages refrained from voting.

e) CRD Commissioner MS Njie threatened village heads that if they do not marshal support for the APRC candidate, Sainey Mbye, he will dismiss them from their position as village heads; that the commissioner did proceed to dismiss at least three village heads as a warning to other village heads that he means business.

f) The commissioner used government resources, accompanied and addressed political gatherings in support of the ruling APRC.

g) The Commissioner used government vehicles and accompanied and addressed political gatherings in support of the ruling party’s candidate.



4. APRC Chairperson, Ndumbeh Sallah and Assistant Chairperson, Adama Balleh Bah took the voters’ cards of  22 NADD supporters at the village of Kerr Sulay on the pretext that unless they surrender their voters’ cards they will not benefit from food aid which the government was about to distribute in the constituency. They were deprived of their right to vote because when they demanded for their voters’ cards they were told that these will be made available to them as soon as the food aid is distributed.



5. Hulay Njie, APRC Chairperson, and Dawda Njie, an APRC village mobiliser deceived 22 persons to part with their voters’ cards to them by falsely telling them that an organization in Banjul was to provide loans for them for animal rearing but that no one will benefit from the loans unless he/she surrenders his/her voter’s card to them. These people did surrender their voters’ cards in the hope of receiving the loan but when they demanded for their cards, Hulay Njie and Dawda Njie failed to return to them and consequently did not vote.



The petitioner, Mr. Hamat Bah, wants the court to determine that Sainey Mbye, the APRC candidate, was not duly elected or returned, or that the election was void by reason of intimidation, undue influence and/or deception.



YOUTHS RISK THEIR LIVES FOR

GREENER PASTURES

By Bubacarr K. Sowe

Following media reports that a number of Gambians and other Africans have risked their lives on attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea via Morocco, youths at home are showing signs of readiness to take the risk of the journey to the dreamland, Europe.

According to a 23 year old, Ousman, the only hope he has is to travel to Europe and he envisages that this can only be possible through that route.

“You see, I have been finding a visa to UK, France and eventually Italy since I graduated from school, but I have never been lucky. If you go to Morocco, you may be lucky one day to get to Spain or any other place in Europe,” Ousman explained.

One Modou Jallow also indicated that youths in the country will definitely look for alternatives when there is no high rate of employment in the country. “We will definitely go to Babylon if we cannot even feed our families adequately. A teacher cannot take care of his family. Look at our youths. Most of them graduate with good results, but have no hope,” he stressed.

The only thing that can stop me from going to Morocco is to lack the means to do so. Whenever I have the funds I will go and hunt for my chances,” Jallow added.

However, most youths who spoke to this reporter pointed out that it is unemployment and poverty, coupled with the high dependence ratio which compels youths to go to the dreamland for better lives.



BANJULIANS PROTEST OVER INVESTIGATION ON MAYOR JENG



By Amie Sanneh

The palaver that descended on the Banjul City Council (BCC) is far from setting. Tension arose last week Friday when a group of Banjulians protested over the manner the taskforce headed by Fabakary Tombong Jatta is probing the allegations levelled against Mayor Pa Sallah Jeng. The protesters, who cast aspersions on the independence of the taskforce, claimed that the said taskforce secretly handpicked people whom they interviewed on their perception of the Banjul City Council.

Following the passing of a resolution by eight APRC Councillors who are resolved to evict Pa Sallah Jeng from office, the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands, Ismaila Sambou, resorted to the suspension of Mayor Jeng and the setting up of a taskforce to look into the allegations levelled against him.

Faulting what they described as a bias move by the investigating panel, the group of disgruntled protesters who called themselves “concerned citizens” of Banjul, said the actions of the taskforce should be transparent. They further challenged the taskforce that if there should be anything of this kind, it should be made known to all Banjulians through public announcements over the media. The taskforce however said they did make this known to the City Council.

The Secretary General of the protesters, Omar T. Ndure, noted that Banjul consists of nine wards and not all of the nine wards were interviewed by the Commission; thus urging them to interview those who are not interviewed.

The commission last Friday held a meeting with some other members of the wards.

Journalists however were not allowed in the conference room, but they interviewed people who attended the meeting.

Fatou Faye from Newtown Ward revealed that during the meeting they were asked on what Pa Sallah has done for the people of Banjul. She however said their response was “he made Banjul to be different from yesterday.”

She added that the commission agreed that the reports of the meeting will be submitted to the Minister of Local Government and Lands and later to the President.

Mrs. Faye however said that they want a speedy response on the report.

Mr. Omar Sey of Jollof Town said that since the suspension of Mayor Jeng, everything in Banjul is at a standstill. “Since the suspension of Mayor Jeng everything is at a standstill. Cleansing service workers are terminated. Their three vehicles are at a standstill. Everywhere in Banjul is filthy and stagnant,” he remarked.

The Vice Chairman of the concerned citizens, Demba Cham described the commission as unfair, noting that no Banjulians are among the commission. “Everything within the taskforce is based on politics. The Mayor has done nothing wrong,” he said. Mr. Cham added that if a commission has been set up, the public should be informed. “Since the absence of Mayor Jeng garbage is all over the city inviting diseases,” he revealed.

Another Ward member, Kabba Sowe revealed that they were also asked why Mayor Jeng closed the taps of Banjul. He said that they supported it because they misused the taps in Banjul.

With regards to the toilets, Mr. Sowe noted that Mayor Jeng did not sell any toilet but they were rather sublet to one Pa Faal for renovation because the council lacks finance. He said that the toilets still belongs to the people of Banjul and is in good condition now. Those people are however protesting that they need Mayor Jeng back to his position.



MAYOR CONTEH REACTS TO COMPLAINTS



By Fatou Janneh

Unexpected heavy rains on Tuesday (11th October 2005) Morning affected some roads in the Greater Banjul area, especially along the Brikama High way. The rain started some minutes to 9 am. Pools of water could be seen filling gutters and some Compounds along the roads and the streets. Severe erosion was experienced in Churchill’s Town. The surging water affected drivers and market vendors seriously.

The Mayor of the kanifing Municipal Council, Abdoulie Conteh, has reacted strongly to the grievances advanced by disgruntled market vendors and drivers who complained of lack of space at the market and the lack of a car park.

“The road and the garage/car park are two different things. The roads are meant for vehicles. If there is problem on the roads, maybe it is due to the ongoing construction which is done by the Central Government. If drivers are found parking along the road side and are saying they don’t have place to go, then it is obvious that the management in KMC does not control space in this country.” He remarked.

“In this municipality, space is being controlled by the central government through the local Government and land.” He added that what they (KMC) need to do is just to request for space and they have been asking for space. According to the lord Mayor, two sites were identified, one in Abuko which was given to them by Gamtel and the other in Jimpex near GPTC. “That is only what they gave us as at now, all the space have been given out for usuage” he asserted.

Mr. Conteh noted that the payment of taxes/duties have nothing to do with the provision of space. He highlighted that what they would be able to do is to provide market and with time (ie growth), there is population increase and many market vendors would not like to be in certain areas such as Kanifing.

“We have to be reasonable that there is growth and with growth it goes along with development and with development, it goes along with constrains,” Mayor Conteh posited.

However, our reporter interviewed people, most of the drivers and pedestrian complained of the problems caused by the unfinished road construction which led to the erosion.

“The people in charge should try to complete the construction before the next rainy season. We (driver and apprentices) are always insulted and it’s not our Fault,”

They emphasised that lack of car park contributed to their constrains.

“Lack of proper or definite car-park is our constrain as the police are always chasing us everywhere we stop! If a car park is established there will be easy access to transport. As patriotic citizens, we are cooperating with the authorities.”

Group of vendors who spoke to this reporter explained that despite the hard work of the KMC, they are still not satisfied with the allocation of places.



KEMESENG JAMMEH CHIDES

SECURITY FORCES

In his contribution to the adjournment debate, the National Assembly member for Jarra West, Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh indicated that security forces not side with any political party; be it the ruling party or opposition. Hon. Jammeh said that the practice in the 29th September by-election was that the security forces were siding with the ruling party. Hon. Jammeh pointed out that what happened in this by-election was unprecedented in the history of this country. He said that the electorate went to the election with abnormalities. Hon. Jammeh indicated that the security forces who were in Jarra West during the campaign were only protecting the APRC supporters but not the NADD supporters. To add salt to injuries, Hon. Jammeh said they were also intimidating the NADD supporters. He noted that a day before polling day, four buses which were carrying the NADD supporters who were travelling to Jarra West to cast their votes were forced to disembark from their vehicles. Hon. Jammeh pointed out
 that the reasons given by the police were that the vehicles were faulty, but when the voters decided to find their way to Jarra, they were also blocked by the police. “So one can see that the blockage was a tactic bar them from voting,” Hon. Jammeh posited. Hon. Jammeh said that for stability and tranquility sake what happened in the by-election should not be repeated.



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