PLease fellows, do not be distracted by "JOBE" THE STUPID. His strategy is
to make us ignore the EBOU COLLY COUP STORY that has just been released,
period. I have been told that that coup story has completely devastated the
MORON so bad that he ordered "JOBE", his intellectual fool, to come with a
DISTRACTION MENU for us in order to overlook the cowardly part the MORON
played in the coup. To that end, LERS, do not be carried into this too much.
STRUGGLE MUST PERSIST ON.

ANSUMANA.


>From: Kebba Jobe <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Why I can support the APRC Government despite....Pt.1
>Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 15:43:51 -0000
>
>“ …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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