Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue

Issue No. 72/2005, 15-18 September, 2005





Editorial

THE SPECULATIONS ARE OVER NADD IS NOW A

POLITICAL REALITY

After months of speculations as to whether NADD is in a disarray or not the nomination of four National Assembly members who used to stand under the ticket of three different political opposition parties under a NADD ticket confirms that the Supreme Court decision has not served to put NADD in a disarray. On the contrary, it has consolidated NADD beyond the original aspirations of its leaders. When an alliance first emerged many people were predicting that the interest in keeping the individual parties strong would ultimately give rise to a split. Needless to say, the nature of the Alliance was such that any party with grievances could have easily decided to leave. The only implication is to risk provoking mass dissatisfaction.

Now, the situation has completely changed. All the leaders are members of NADD. Once the four seats are won none of the leaders can leave NADD without losing their seats in the National Assembly. Hence what the APRC leadership considered the basis for the destruction of NADD has given rise to its consolidation.

The Commonwealth has chaired a meeting between APRC and NADD in order to motivate the leaders in the government and in the opposition to create a new path for politics in the country. The two sides should have met on 13th September 2005 to sign a memorandum of understanding.

IEC has convened the meeting to sign the memorandum of understanding. Both sides appeared but the APRC delegates indicated that they were yet to receive a mandate from their National Executive Committee. The NADD Executive members were ready to sign. It will be very disappointing for the moral guarantor of the agreement, General Abdusallam Abubakarr, to gather that the government which has been complaining that it is not respected and recognized by the opposition would now hesitate to sign a memorandum of understanding and code of conduct which would require a respectable relationship between the opposition and the government.

There is absolutely no doubt that the government’s integrity, internationally, is at stake. There is also no doubt that NADD can serve as a united front that can help the country to have a respectable broad-based opposition that serves as a united front for greater democratization of the country. This can serve as a model for many African countries. In short, it allows room for people belonging to different political camps to dialogue in order to put in place national standards for democracy and development which any subsequent government will have to respect and honour.  This will enable different ideas to contend to shape the national political character. It is like witnessing the rebirth of a nation. Indeed the battle for a third republic has begun.





CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR BY-ELECTIONS



By Fatou Janneh & Sarjo Camara

Battle lines have been drawn following the nomination of candidates for the forthcoming by-elections. On Monday morning, a cohort of NADD sympathizers converged at the Jimpex Road and proceeded to the Regional Office of the Independent Electoral Commission in Kanifing Estate, where Halifa Sallah was nominated as NADD’s candidate for the Serrekunda Central seat. Dressed in white attire, exuberant NADD sympathizers who held banners and placards embarked on a procession which attracted thousands of onlookers. Halifa Sallah was nominated at 10.00 am at a ceremony presided over by the Chairperson of the IEC, Ndondi Njie.

Following his nomination, Halifa Sallah spoke to reporters. He indicated that the forthcoming by-election is about the people exercising their rights to determine who should represent them in the National Assembly.

The former MP posited that he is struggling to win the hearts and minds of the people through his words and practice. He added that he believes that the people (especially the electorate) are listening and watching in order to be their own judges.

Mr. Sallah indicated that the National Assembly is there to serve as an oversight institution. He added that the executive has the responsibility to promote development while the National Assembly checks whether what is allocated from the National budget is utilized as expected.

Mr. Sallah pointed out that development is about resources and people must know who controls the resources.

“The executive control the resources of the nation. They are suppose to have development plans to promote the vital needs and aspirations of the people. And the purpose of the National Assembly is to scrutinize the policies of the government, the laws (Bills) and the international agreements which are brought to the National Assembly. You are suppose to scrutinize these and look at what is in the best interest of the nation. Also, you are suppose to scrutinize government institutions to look at their performances; to see whether they are serving the interest of the people. Well that is the role of a National Assembly member and I believe I can confidently perform that role both here and abroad,” Mr. Sallah remarked.

He said the issue is not bringing development directly but it is serving as a catalyst through the idea one gives for development to be initiated if there is a responsible government in place.”

When asked what he thinks the way forward is, Mr. Sallah quickly remarked that development must have policies and resources. He emphasized that there must be a government which is capable of utilizing the resources of the country to promote its development. He concluded by saying that if one looks at the national budget, one must be able to ensure financial discipline.

The NADD team which consisted of Ousainou Darboe, Pa Manneh, Amie Sillah, Omar Jallow alias OJ, Lamin Dibba and sympathizers embarked on a procession after the nomination of their candidate. They walked from the IEC Office in Kanifing Estate to the NADD Office in Tallinding.

In an interview with Lie Sanyang, the APRC candidate for Serrekunda Central spoke to the press after his nomination he told reporters that the present political system is better than the previous one.

When he was asked the development that he would bring to Serrekunda Central if he is elected, Mr. Sanyang said he will collaborate with councilors and other institutions to enable him tap funds from them in order to bring development to the people of Serrekunda.

In response to whether he will defeat Halifa in the by-election, Mr. Sanyang posited that Halifa is an experienced man. “I know Halifa is an experienced politician, but that is not important. The ground is more significant and I know I did a very good ground work. Well I am a community worker and I have been working with the community trying to mobilize the youths and the women groups,” he remarked.

The Independent Electoral Commission has issued a press release affirming the nomination of the following persons for the office of National Assembly members for Serrekunda Central, Jarra West, Upper Saloum and Wuli West.

Particulars of candidates:

Serrekunda Central Constituency

1. Name: Halifa Sallah

Nominated by NADD



2. Name: Abdoulie Sanyang

Nominated by APRC



Jarra West Constituency

1. Name: Musa Saidykhan

Nominated by APRC



2. Name: Kemeseng Jammeh

Nominated by NADD



Upper Saloum Constituency

1. Name: Hamat Bah

Nominated by NADD



2. Name: Sainey Mbye

Nominated by APRC



Wuli West Constituency

1. Name: Sidia Jatta

Nominated by NADD



2. Name: Janko Jawneh

Nominated by APRC

The release further states that the by-elections will take place on Thursday 29th September 2005 and the campaign will start from Wednesday 14th September to Tuesday 27th September 2005.





IEC POSTS LIST

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has now posted the lists of the transfers and replacements of voters at the IEC regional offices.

According to reliable sources, NADD has assigned some people to scrutinize the lists of transfers and replacements. Those assigned have been to the various regional offices and have copied the names of the voters who transferred or replaced their cards. Some of the assignees have made disturbing claims.

For example, Mr. Ganyie Touray who is assigned to scrutinize the transfers and replacements in the Janjangbureh Area has claimed that out of a total of 147 transfers to the Upper Saloum Constituency, 120 are not resident in the villages where they claim to be resident. Mr. Touray noted: “Most of them claim to be resident in Baati Ndarr, Panchang and Fass but this is false. Immediately after nominating the NADD candidate on Monday, we copied the names from the list which was pasted on the wall of the IEC office at Janjangbureh. We wanted photocopies but this was not possible. In any case, as soon as we copied the names we went to the villages concerned to verify the claims of the transfers. It was amazing. Out of the 147 names, 120 were not resident in those villages.”





NIA Denies Interference



Yaya Dampha

Lamin Saidykhan, the head of the National Intelligence Agency Unit in Mansakonko has vehemently denied interviewing prospective presiding and assistant presiding officers for the forthcoming by-elections in Jarra. The intelligence officer’s denial came in the wake of allegations that he and his men had interviewed the prospective presiding officers on matters relating to their political affiliation and why they support the party which they claimed to belong to.

The aggrieved applicants who were interviewed by the officers of the National Intelligence officers at Mansakonko claimed that they were divided into four groups by their interviewers (NIA officers). They said they were asked to disclose their political affiliation. They further noted that the Intelligence officers also asked them to disclose the political party which their parents support. They said they were asked to disclose the name of their best friend. Some of those interviewed complained that they have worked as presiding and assistant presiding officers, before but they were never subjected to this form of interrogation.

Our reporter met the officer commanding the NIA unit in Mansakonko, Lamin Saidykhan in Soma and asked him the issues raised by the aggrieved interviewees. In his response Mr. Saidykhan said he is not aware of the aforesaid development. It was further put to him by our reporter that some of the interviewees alleged that he (Saidykhan) interviewed them, but he responded that he is not aware of anything like that.



BUSINESS AT FERRY CROSSING AT A STANDSTILL

By Lamin Fatty

The border closure by the Senegalese authorities which is an angry response to the new tariffs imposed by the Gambia Ports Authority, has really worsened the situation of business at the said crossing point.

In an interview with our reporter, a restaurant owner at the crossing point of Bamba Tenda said that the border closure has seriously affected her business. According to the woman, since she lost her husband a couple of years ago, her children’s education and welfare entirely depend on her small business at the crossing point. She said that she is now desperately thinking of their education expenses in view of the fact that as schools reopens and the border still remains closed. She called on both the Senegalese and the Gambian authorities to engage in dialogue so as to resolve the matter as soon as possible; that these two countries are the same people.

Another vendor by the name Ebrima Sey (a butcher) told our reporter that before the closure of the border, he used to slaughter about three goats and they usually got finished, but that since the start of the border closure, he is afraid to slaughter and sell even one. “We therefore call both the two governments to resolve the matter so that normal business can flourish,” he said.

A group of vendors who sell water every day at the crossing point in the summer, most of whom are school children, also expressed their disappointment about the border. “We spend the holiday by selling water at the crossing point so that the little money we earn, could at least help us buy shoes and supplement our lunch at school. We are therefore calling on the authorities of these two countries, to immediately and amicably resolve the matter so that business at the crossing point can continue as usual,” they said.

A telecentre operator at the crossing point of Yeli Tenda, also expressed similar sentiments. He said that the border closure is creating economic hardship for the country.



STOP PRESS

BANJUL MAYOR SUSPENDED

At the time of going to press FOROYAA received information that the Mayor of Banjul had been suspended.  The Mayor had also invited the media to a press conference to be held at the July 22nd Square. We shall give a full report of the press conference in the next issue of FOROYAA.

The Mayor stood as an independent candidate and won the Mayorship election in 2002. However, all the councillors are APRC members.



NAWEC AND ITS WOES

WILL PRESIDENT JAMMEH SACK HIMSELF?

Dear Editor,

Thanks for granting me space in your widely read newspaper to express my views on an issue of national importance. I wish to express my profound disappointment with the poor service NAWEC is delivering to the nation. Customers are hard hit by the erratic supply of electricity. This is seriously disturbing work that depends on electricity to operate. A typical example is welding. I met a welderman who revealed that for five consecutive days he and his colleagues could not do any work because of lack of electricity supply. He said that as a result of this, people who assigned them work had been confronting them but they could not do anything about it. He also complained that if they do not work because of lack of electricity they would not be able to earn enough to pay bills and take care of themselves and their families. He maintained that some of his colleagues in the welding business manage with generators but contended that if one has to buy fuel whenever light goes off and at the
 same time shoulder NAWEC’s exorbitant bills, one will end up being in the red. He described the situation as quite deplorable.

As if the lack of electricity is not enough as a problem, we are now facing water shortage. This has been reported recently in some newspapers and is really a cause for concern. Water is a necessity of life. There is no substitute for it. If electricity goes off we can manage with generators or candles but if there is no water supply from NAWEC we are bound to face an unbearable situation. Some may say there are wells. That is true. But then well water is suitable only for such activities as laundering and washing. Needless to say, it is not safe for drinking. NAWEC should definitely do something about it. Considering the fact that President Jammeh has repeatedly bragged that his regime is the best for the country, I am surprised that he sees all these things and yet does nothing to remedy the situation. In fact, the problem has now become chronic. Since President Jammeh has sacked enough of ministers to deserve an entry in the Guinness Book of World Record (for so-called
 inefficiency or failing to deliver), I wonder what he would do about the mess that NAWEC has created, as the Energy Minister. Will he really do something to remedy the situation? Will he sack himself for the inefficient manner in which NAWEC is operating? Or will he wait until elections are approaching to unveil some kind of phoney generator brought to ease our hardship forever (something that has been done in the past without any significant improvement)?

What I do believe is that a government is elected to deliver social services to the people. If it cannot deliver there is no other option but to remove it and replace it with another which can do so. If we want to know whether Jammeh’s regime has delivered or not, a good way of knowing it is to observe NAWEC. By NAWEC’s standard this regime has failed woefully and deserves immediate removal.

In conclusion, I would like to urge all Gambians to own their minds and not allow anybody deceive them. The present regime makes frivolous claims of development. The reality on the ground shows clearly that this is far-fetched. Will we allow ourselves to be fooled again, come 2006? If we deliberately fall victims of our own foolhardiness we with have no one to blame for the suffering that inevitably awaits us but ourselves.

Bai E. Saine,

Ebo Town



ARE YOU AWARE?

THE STATE OF THE GAMBIA UNDER JAMMEH



By Baboucarr Ceesay

There is no need to be a rocket scientist to know whether the Gambia is faring well or not. It may be easy for a sycophants to play intellectual gymnastic with dishonesty, closing his eyes to evident short comings and applaud Jammeh for everything he does or says.

Wasteful expenditure of mere palatable political speech or literature, just to defend the indefensible and what is not credible should have no room in today’s Gambia. We need to objectively put the Gambia on the balance of reality, disallow sentiments and narrow mindedness to be mile stone round our necks so as to see whether the Gambia we have is the Gambia for which Gambians went to the poll in favour of Yahya Jammeh.

Did Jammeh know that the average Gambians are faced with problems of satisfying their basic necessities of life? People cannot live a decent life without meeting the basic necessities of life.

Elementary Economics teaches that every human being want to live a good life; eat good food, dress in decent clothes, live in a standard house, drive a beautiful car, etc.

However, human needs are insatiable because the resources to satisfy these needs are scarce. Here is where the need for Economic wisdom comes in. It enables us use these scares resources wisely. That is why economists draw scales of preferences by ranking the most pressing demands top to prioritise them, the rest become opportunity cost that can be forgone.

Would any of us love to live in a Gambia whose most pressing demands are the opportunity cost of the head of state rather than be at the topmost of the scale of preference?

This is obviously what is happening in the Gambia. With all the economic subjugation faced by families in the country, our President thinks of how to own lions, ostriches, camels, crocodiles, bar and restaurant and so on at his Sindola camp in Kanilai. Vehicles with Sindola number plates are seen plying our road all the time and some times take tourists to Senegal. This shows that our demands are forgone but his are to be satisfied. Is Jammeh not President cum businessman?

Section 68 sub section (4) of the 1997 Constitution categorically states: The President shall not –

(a)        while he or she continues in office as President hold any other office of profit or emolument whether public or private, occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of services, directly or indirectly carrying on any trade, business or other undertaking; provided that the President may undertake and carry on any agricultural business including farming, horticulture, livestock rearing and artisanal fishing;

(b)        undertake any activity inconsistent with his or her official position or expose himself or herself to any situation which carries with it the risk of a conflict developing between his or her official concerns and his or her private interest;

(c)        use his or her position as such or use information entrusted to or received by him or her in an official position directly or indirectly to enrich himself or herself or any other person.

(d)        Where the President was engaged in any trade, business or other undertaking before assuming the office of President, he or she shall, if he or she wishes to continue such trade, business or other undertaking, do so under a trusteeship.

If a President engages in business or trade he or she is more prone to corruption and can therefore create conflict between his official functions and private interest. There is no doubt that our Constitution has left no stone unturned in this section to guide the President to render selfless service instead of being a selfish and corrupt leader.

The government should have invested in the productive base of the economy and develop human resources rather than spending a lot of money on 22nd July celebrations, donation of monies to school for nothing but to organise parties whilst many parents cannot afford paying the fees of their school going children. It is unbelievable that a head of state in the 21st century can be dishing out money on people on the road like a benevolent king.

Criticism is not a by-product of enmity and should not be seen as a sign of hatred. This Gambia is ours. Our leaders should be kept under scrutiny.

Some people may argue or quiz why the President is being blamed all the time.

People should know that as a leader, a President for that matter, they should take whatever praise or blame directed to their government in good faith.

It is reasonable for one to ask where the tax money of the people is going to because the Gambia is a tax based economy. Anyone who engages in business in this country is contributing something to the coffers, as people paying school fees for their children, land lords paying rates and taxes so on and so forth. Women are toiling at the market on a daily basis and each day they contribute some money in the coffers through duties paid.

It is from these taxes that roads, electricity, water etc should be provided for the

populace. These are social services which the citizenry should enjoy as a result of the taxes paid to the government coffers.

A human being should not suffer like a beast. The difference between human beings and other animals is the conscience. We have creative minds capable of thinking to make wise decision. Therefore, we should not allow to live like animals that are at the mercy of whatever hardship they come across in their lives. Hardship that helps to live a better life in the future is just a sacrifice and struggle and hopefully breeds a better future, but hardship that breeds another hardship is bestial in nature. As human beings we should be dictated by our conscience.

The situation of the Gambia demands participatory democracy. It is not a question of partisan politics, tribalism, sentiments or power hunger but national interest.

Intellectuals of the Gambia should be ready to see to it that The Gambia is the nation that our forefathers were struggling to build. The type of Gambia to be handed over to our children and generations yet unborn should be a Gambia of model; reflecting dignity, liberty and prosperity. It must be built on a purely democratic principles.

Are our eyes not set on the bright tunnel of the approaching time? Are our ears not hearing the alarm of the clock of universal transformation? Are our nerves not feeling the warm breeze of peace?

TO BE CONTINUED



NADD HOLDS COMMUNITY MEETING IN SERREKUNDA CENTRAL



By Fatou Janneh

Saturday 10th September 2005, Halifa Sallah met constituents at Bundung six Junction where eloquent constituents, took the platform to express their views on the state of the Gambia under Jammeh, the forthcoming by-elections and the need for positive change.

The former Minister of Health under the PPP regime, Landing Jallow Sonko explained to the gathering the importance of such meetings which are aim at educating the masses. He added that a local newspaper article captioned Halifa, Others May Miss Nomination is a story meant to promote politics of deception. He said if the said newspaper is a referee, then it is siding with the APRC.

He indicated that common sense teaches that NADD has gone further that stage of politics.

He said the President\s comment on Halifa is a clear manifestation of his (Halifa’s) competence. Cautioning the people, he said President Jammeh has always been worried about the eloquence of the two NADD candidates Halifa and Hamat. He therefore stressed that the electorate should be mindful and should make sure that they re-elect NADD candidates to the National Assembly.

He reminded the gathering that National Assembly members are their mouth pieces. To avoid hardship, he said Serrekunda Central should be a role model in the forthcoming by-election by re-electing Halifa Sallah to the National Assembly.

Pa Salieu Jallow an elderly constituent told the gathering and electorate to protect and secure their voters’ cards. He said the elders are working for their children’s brighter future because the future belongs to the youths.

Mr. Lang Dibba, a NADD supporter said that Halifa has no substitute so far. He added that Jammeh can no longer do better than he has done. He said that there are lots of intimidations going on in the country; that if you speak out your mind or hold a divergent view about the system they keep you behind bars and those who kill people like best are yet to be arrested. He concluded that the culture of impunity has already taken root in The Gambia and can only be uprooted by rallying behind NADD.

Aji Ndumbe a female speaker called on women to be vigilant, that being with APRC earn them no credit because there is no APRC or NADD market here; that being with NADD which is ready to efface suffering on the face of Gambian soil is more important than to be with the APRC.

Mrs. Amie Sillah commenced by dilating on women empowerment. She cautioned women not to be part of the politics of master-servant business that reduces them to mere political tools. She concluded that women are partners of men in development and that they have a pivotal role to play in the political affairs of the Gambia.

Omar Jallow, known as O.J. have two Gambians contending for the Serrekunda central seat; that these two citizens subscribe to different visions for the country.

Jallow said the APRC is a camp of politicians who says yes to the lack of good governance, insecurity, inhuman treatments, dismissal without reasons, hospitals without adequate medicines, schools without adequate learning materials, bad laws etc. He said Halifa Sallah believes in the promotion of good governance, security of citizens, good hospitals with medicines, well equipped schools and good laws etc for the country. He said the foresight of the NADD candidate for Serrekunda Central cannot be compared to that of the APRC candidate.

Halifa Sallah, NADD candidate for Serrekunda Central said if a human being suffers to the extent of surpassing the level of human suffering, he or she should sit and ask himself or herself why he or she suffers such; that living like a beast is not a worthy life. He said the power and voice of the people lies in their votes.

Halifa said that people are paying custom duties, rates and taxes thereby making a considerably big contribution in the national coffers. He said therefore, if you give your vote to a dishonest person who is to take charge of your wealth, he or she will no doubt embezzle it and abuse the power that you entrusted him or her with. “Instead of being a humble servant of yours, he would become a monarch over you”, said Sallah.

He said in the case of NAMs, the NAM you elect is your voice, your mouth piece through whom you speak; that a Nam should not be a robot but should be able to debate issues and scrutinize government activities. He said our government is fond of embezzling public money and embarking on taking loans and end up being heavily indebted. He said that the Bwiam Hospital, the Kombo Coastal Road, Gambia Television etc are built out of loans. He revealed that the Gambia should spend 1.4 billion on debt servicing this year leaving hospital without adequate medicines. “This is how matters stand,” he stressed.

He said that youths of the country have been fooled that Jammeh is the President of the youths but today the rate of unemployment and lack of good public services shows the type of leadership we have. He said a good opposition is an alternate government; that NADD is formed to avoid unnecessary division among the opposition which the President can take advantage of in the absence of the constitutional provision dealing with a second round of voting. He said countries like Ghana, Senegal and Kenya have a second round of voting but the President of the Gambia used the numerical strength of the APRC NAMs to amend the constitution and do away with the second round of voting. He said that NADD is a strategic coalition on a strong democratic footing. He said that losing their seats as a result the formation of NADD is not a weakness, but a sacrifice; that they could have forgotten NADD and go back to their original parties to retain their seats but that sound selfish and is the Gambia that
 matters and not their individual parties or seats.



CUBAN DOCTORS STRANDED AT MANJAI LODGE



By George Sambou

Reports reaching Foroyaa has revealed that more than a dozen Cuban doctors are reportedly stranded at the Manjai Lodge.

According to source, the doctors are supposed to return to their native country, following the end of their term in the Gambia.

In order to verify the story, this reporter caught up with some Cuban doctors at Manjai Lodge. According to one of them who prefers to remain anonymous, they have already spent a week and some days at the lodge. We are supposed to go home now but we do not know what is happening. So we are still waiting. “When asked who was responsible for their return, the Doctor, who seemed not to be very pleased with the question told our reporter “Look, boy, go and find out from our embassy.” Frantic efforts were made to contact the Cuban Embassy to no avail.

When contacted at the department of state for health, the Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for technical affairs, Saikou Janneh told our reporter that he has nothing to say on the matter. He said that he was away in Dakar for a meeting and directed our reporter to find out from the Permanent Secretary. When we contacted the Secretary to the Permanent Secretary he revealed that the PS was out of the country.



IN THE TRIAL OF EX-POLICE COMMISSIONER

WITNESS CONTRADICTS HIMSELF



By Sana Saidykhan

The prosecution witness testifying in the trial of the Ex-Police Commissioner of Brikama Division, Superintendent Ebrima Camara, contradicted facts he adduced in his evidence in chief and during cross examination. Sergeant Suntu Keita of Gunjur Police Station in his original evidence in chief, told the court that Ousman Jallow, whom the accused is said to have conspired with to rustle cattle, was granted bail on the order of the accused person and was transferred from Gunjur Police Station to Brikama Police Station with five other suspects by the then Officer Commanding. He further told the court that this transfer is recorded in the Gunjur Police Station diary. During cross examination he maintained that Ousman Jallow was transferred from Gunjur Police to Brikama Police Station and produced a photocopy of the Gunjur Police Station diary to substantiate his claim, but that it doesn’t contain the said entry. The case was then adjourned for the original diary to be produced before the
 court.

When the case resumed on Monday, the witness was asked by the defence counsel to show the court where it is written that Ousman Jallow was transferred from Gunjur to Brikama Police Station by the unnamed Officer Commanding on the order of the accused but he was not able to see it. He then admitted not telling the court the truth and begged if the court could give him chance to clarify, which was granted. “Your Worship Ousman Jallow last reported on bail at the Gunjur Police Station on the 25th of March 2005. The other suspects reported and their bails were extended from the 25th to the 26th of March 2005,” he said.

“On the 29th of March 2005 all other suspects reported except him and that was the day Inspector Gomez, CID Officer, collected five other suspects and their files to Brikama Police Station,” he concluded.

The prosecuting counsel, ASP Tijan Badjie, in his re-examination, asked the witness whether Ousman Jallow was transferred or not, but this question was overruled by the presiding magistrate, Bubacarr Jawo, on the grounds that he admitted not telling the truth. The case was adjourned to the 15th of September for another prosecution witness.



TWO YOUNG BOYS DROWN IN JAPPINEH



By Yaya Dampha

Last Thursday two young boys died at the River in Jappineh after their boat capsized whilst fishing between Jappineh Tenda and Sankuya Tenda.

According to the eye witnesses the two boys Musa Sonko and Tajela Sanneh were among fishermen who went to the river around 4 pm on that day; that whilst fishing at around 6.30 pm, the boat in which they were sailing suddenly filled with water and the two boys jumped into the water and cried for help. The other fishermen also threw their nets and started paddling towards the capsized boat. However the boys drowned before the fishermen could save them. They were not seen by the fishermen. When the news reached their home, the villagers rushed to the scene, and rescue teams were deployed to look for the boys. After many hours of searching, the villagers gave up and accepted the fact that they have died.

The distraught parents of the victims were met by our reporter, but they were both speechless.

Jappineh is one of the places in the country that has been beleaguered by unemployment. The resolve to make ends meet has compelled a lot of young people in the area to resort to fishing.





TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

A five-month old infant, Raphaella Ramu Mendy, has been examined by Dr. Bladimir Atega, a pediatrician at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital and has been diagnosed as having Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease. The mother had a history of Malaria twice during pregnancy but, notwithstanding, had a normal delivery. It is indicated by the Doctor, that the child is born with the disease.

The parents are seeking assistance in cash or kind to be able to take their daughter for overseas treatment as it is reported that this disease cannot be treated in The Gambia.

Anyone willing to assist can contact the following address:

C / O Omar Jah

Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital

00220-9916531 / 00220-9808961

Or Fax: (00220) 4371474



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