“ …We pledge our firm allegiance, our promise we renew, keep us great God of
nations to the Gambia ever true”.

I start my defense of supporting the APRC government by, first of all,
quoting the above from our national anthem. In short my allegiance is to
“The Gambia and its diverse Peoples” and any party that is in power and puts
the aspirations of our peoples first, ahead of self or party will get my
support.

INTRO.

One of the fundamental principles of democracy is the right of a people to
be led by those whom they desire to lead them. This principle supports the
idea that “Good government can never be a substitute for government by the
people themselves” (Sir Henry Cambell-Banner). Whatever opinion one may have
about those leading us today, it must be remembered that the majority of the
Gambian people elected them.

Even though, the government made several blunders along the way, these can
be excused as the leadership is very young and their military background
certainly has a tremendous effect on their lack of tolerance. I am not going
dwell on them as yet, but will do so after stating my position.

For now I will try to highlight some of the achievements of the regime that
has made some of us support it despite their shortcomings. I will also MAKE
A CASE AS TO WHY THE EXISTING POLITICAL PARTIES ARE NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE
APRC. Those who believe otherwise, are entitled to their opinions and I’ll
stick to mine for the time being.

THE APRC RECORD.

It is said “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you
there”. As such, my defense of the APRC government and why it has so much
support despite all that have been said about it will start with “The Gambia
incorporated…Vision 2020”. The fundamental objective of vision 2020 is ‘to
map out clearly a strategy for socio-economic development that aims at
raising the standard of living of the Gambian population by transforming The
Gambia into a dynamic middle-income country by the year 2020’.

VISION 2020.

Vision 2020 is the result of an in depth study of The Gambian situation as
it was in 1995 and was produced by a group of Gambians, who constituted the
National Think Tank (NATT). The NATT consulted with all sectors of civic
society throughout the country and held several workshops to come up with
this national strategic document. Their hard work culminated in the
production of the vision 2020 document in May 1996.  Now 5 years down the
line what has been achieved?

1. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMEN.

A nation can hardly develop unless its development strategy is supported by
a deliberate policy focused the development of its human resources. In the
recent past, our traditional extended family system that served us so well
over centuries have changed dramatically due to outside influences. People
no longer take for granted what their relatives have. People have begun to
determine their own destinies regardless of family connections. Those, who
traditionally, would have been smiths, cobblers, praise singing griots,
farmers etc, no longer follow those traditions as used to be the case. For
many, this has been helped by education and for some through the learning of
other skills.

a) EDUCATION.

Education has given many Gambians what their folks never dreamt of. Better
enlightenment, more informed choices, more logic, and more self-fulfillment.
Prior to the coupe, there were less than 10 senior secondary schools and
less than twenty-five junior secondary schools for a potential school going
population of over 300,000 boys and girls. The former PPP regime was content
with the single senior secondary school that was built in 1927 by the
British colonialists. The number of primary schools was less 200. Government
vocational training centres that existed numbered only three, 1 in Kanifing,
1 in Farafeni and 1 in Mansa Konko. With 1 library located in Banjul, rural
students relied on the mobile library that made very infrequent visits to
the provinces. Children were required to provide and care for their chairs
and tables. In 1985 access to secondary school education was 35% and this
rose to almost 60% in 1995 and now stands at about 68%. This figure is
expected to reach 90% by 2020.

Under the APRC government there are now more than 20 senior secondary
schools, more than 50 junior secondary schools and a university have been
built, staffed, equipped and operational.

In 1995, The Gambia became one the first African countries to have an
Internet Gateway. This was a joint undertaking between the UNDP and The
government of the Gambia. This has resulted in the mushrooming of computer
training schools as well the teaching of computing skills and IT in our
schools. At present, almost all high schools are equipped with computers
powered by solar panels were there is no electricity. Cyber cafés are
abounding throughout the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) and the trend is expected
to spill over to the provinces. Many Gambian students now communicate via
e-mail and some are even designing their own web sites. You may visit these
2 websites designed by two 15yr old boys, Lamin Jaiteh of Methodist Academy
(www.lamisco.homestead.com) and Serigne Jobe of Gambia senior secondary
school (www.geocities.com/serign15jobe).


b) HEALTH.

Prior to the coupe d’etat of 1994, there were only 2 referral hospitals
throughout the country 1 in Bansang and 1 in Banjul; all built by the
British colonialists. There were 7 major health centres, 11 minor health
centres, 17 dispensaries, 145 outreach stations, 381 health posts
complimented by 12 private clinics. The population of The Gambia in 1993 was
1.1 million people having increased during the previous decade at an average
rate of 4.1%. For this population, there were less than 40 doctors.

The AFPRC hospital constructed by the AFPRC/APRC is fully operational. The
Bwiam hospital is nearing completion and the construction of the Sere Kunda
Hospital is soon to start. Both and RVH Bansang hospitals have been
significantly extended and equipped with very modern equipment. Almost all
the big towns in the country have been upgraded to major health centres with
resident doctors. Most of the dispensaries have also been upgraded to major
health centres while more outreach stations are being built. This is
complimented by over 25 private clinics with referral facilities.

In recognition of the need to have access to save drinking as a prerequisite
for healthy living, the government has been building dozens of concrete line
wells with hand pumps or solar powered throughout the country.

c) POPULATION.

In less than 20 years our population has more than doubled from about
650,000 in 1983 to more than 1.3 million today. Our population has been
growing at about 4.2 % for most that period. Conflicts in our sub-region and
the economic hardships in our neighboring countries have brought about an
unprecedented level of immigration to the Gambia. This has put tremendous
pressure on all sectors of our lives.

In its pursuit to stem this negative trend, the APRC government has been
very active in the resolution of conflicts in the entire sub-region while
stability and security in the country. It has also taken concerted action to
promote family planning by organizing seminars and on the need to discourage
people from having big families. In schools and by use of the public media,
the youths are encouraged to lead responsible lives by discouraging early or
unsafe sex. The use of condoms, especially in the light of the Aids epidemic
in Africa is widely promoted.

d) HOUSING.

Increasing population and rural-urban migration has made housing especially
in the GBA to be very expensive. In recognition of this, government in
collaboration with Shelter Afrique, allocated 800 plots of land at the
Brusubi Estate mainly for low income people with the ability to develop the,
commercial plots, public utilities, and recreational areas. Another 100
plots are to be allocated in the Nemasu area soon as well as another 800 at
Brusubi.

e) THE ENVIRONMENT.

The Gambia’s environmental Action plan (GEAP) is being continuously
implemented. Over the pass few years the import of pesticides and other
chemicals are being closely monitored. Concerted effort is being into
arresting sea erosion especially in Banjul and the Tourism Development Area
(TDA). Deforestation is being fought vigorously especially with the
collaboration of the German government and the European Union.

2. COMMUNICATIONS.

One of the most sustainable modes of transportation for the Gambia, river
transport inherited from colonial times was neglected and all the
investments made in that sector allowed to go to waste. Those who were
around in the 1950s, 60s and 70s can recall the likes of steamers like
Apapa, Lady Wright, Lady Denham and tug boats such as Wasp, Amberi, Kaba,
Kaba II, Masina, Kuntaur etc, etc. Rather than maintaining these considering
our lack of resources to construct an extensive network of good roads, these
boats were simply allowed to rust and sink. What is most disheartening about
this is the fact that most of these tug boats were driven under their own
power to Saro (Denton bridge) and just allowed to sink one by one. The 15 or
so concrete wharfs that were built from loans and grants were just left to
crumble. Towns that thrived on trade, facilitated by river transportation
all died very slow agonizing deaths. These include Albreda, Njawara, Kani
Kunda, Kudang Tenda, Kuntaur, Carol’s wharf, Kosemar etc, etc. Streets in
the urban area did not fare any better.

The only national radio’s broadcasts, for the best part of the 6 years
preceding the 1994 coupe was only limited to the Kombos. There was no TV
station either.

The correlation between good communications facilities and development have
been amply proven and the government’s efforts in that is there for every to
see. Under the APRC, not only does the national radio broadcast throughout
the country, TV coverage is also nationwide and operates everyday.  The APRC
transformed the warehouse that used to serve as our airport into one of the
best in Africa, fully equipped to international standards. The cargo
handling facilities have been greatly developed and are continuing to be
developed. Direct flights to the US only became possible this year after
massive investment in infrastructure and safety.

Under the APRC first class roads are being built linking strategic towns for
the ease of transportation. These towns have the potential of enhancing
trade between our communities and beyond.

Gamtel’s soon to be commissioned new GSM mobile system will be operational
throughout the country. Access to telephone facilities is available within
15 Km of anywhere you may be in the country.


Mr. Alpha Kuan, thanks your caution. It is very well appreciated.

To Momodou Olly Mboge and Makavela, I say the RIGHT TO BE HEARD DOES NOT
INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. I treat self opinionate fools with
the contempt they deserve.

"Politics is not the art of the possible. It concists of CHOOSING BETWEEN
THE DISASTROUS AND THE UNPALATABLE" - J. K. Galbrath.

Bye 4Now, KB Jobe.

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