Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 020/2007, 19-20 February, 2007
Editorial
OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE YET TO BE FULFILLED
42 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
What Gambians who want liberty democracy and prosperity expected during
commemoration of the attainment of the right to self determination is a major
declaration from the President authorizing for all those under detention without
charge or court decision to be released, those who have served long
sentences to be pardoned and those who had been subjected to non ending trials to be
granted bail and speedy trials.
It is unjust to keep a person in prison for more than 72 hours without
charging him/her and taking him/her before a court.
It is unjust to keep a person in prison for years while cases are adjourned
for one reason or another. Innocence or guilt should be determined with speed
to avoid punishing an innocent person.
It is unjust to keep a person in prison who has served long sentences and
has no other reason to stay in prison than to serve a sentence. Gambians
especially families of people like Rambo Jatta, Omar Ndow, Sergeant Buba Mendy,
Sergeant Buba Jammeh, Kanyiba Kanyi, Chief Ebrima Manneh (a journalist), rtd.
Colonel Vincent Jatta, Dr. Badara Loum, Suruwa Jaiteh, Ngorr Secka, Foday
Barry, Baba Saho, Abdoulie Kujabi, Alfusainey Jammeh, Jisaja Kujabie, Macie
Jammeh, Haruna Jammeh and families of long serving prisoners like Lamin Darboe are
eager to see the human face of the government.
We therefore hope that the President will start using national days to
exercise the prerogative of mercy and also to give general amnesty.
After the elections, Gambians deserve a new start in governance
characterized by tolerance, mercy, respect for the constitution, protection of
fundamental rights and freedoms. Families are waiting to be reunited with loved ones
who expect that you Mr. President will use national occasions, to give them the
ounce of joy that can make a difference to their whole life.
AT THE COURT MARTIAL
“I WAS ELECTROCUTED, KICKED, BEATEN”-
CAPTAIN MENDY
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Captain Pierre John Mendy, the‘ ex-Commanding Officer (CO) of the Fajara
Barracks, had revealed to the Court Martial that he was electrocuted, kicked and
mercilessly beaten by officers at the NIA Headquarters. Captain Mendy made
these revelations at the Court Martial on Thursday 15th February 2007.
Captain Mendy said when he was taken to the NIA for questioning on the 23rd
March 2006, he told the panelists that he knew nothing about the alleged coup
plot. He said, “For one hour they were questioning me and I was answering
them. They told me, this is not what we want. If you don’t tell us what we want,
we will get the hell out of you,” he said. Captain Mendy noted that at that
time, there were five (5) soldiers standing at his back. “One gave me a
nasty slap. I told Hydara, if you are about to kill me, then kill me, I don’t
know anything about this.” Mendy said Hydara told him to say that somebody told
him about it. He said Hydara also asked him to write that somebody informed
him about it and added that he then paused for five to ten minutes and told
Hydara that he cannot understand being asked to write about something that he
was not part and parcel of and knew nothing about. He also said that Hydara
again asked him to just write something and that they will use him as a
witness. “I consented that RSM Alpha Bah told me”. He added that Hydara said, “Ok
Lamin Cham, go with him and take his statement”. Mendy indicated that while he
was in the room with Lamin Cham and with two other soldiers standing at his
back, he asked Lamin Cham that there was no independent witness with them in
the conference hall. He said that Cham told him to excuse him and went away
for two minutes. “When he came back, he said the independent witness will come
later,” he said. He said he was later taken back to mile two prisons. “While
I was disembarking from the vehicle, Lance Corporal Malick Jatta struck me
with the rifle on my head again”, he explained. He said Jatta insulted him and
later added, “Today mosquitoes will bite you. I also told him prison belongs
to nobody,” he stressed. He said he sustained a wound on his head. He
indicated that he reported the matter to Lieutenant Colley, that Malick Jatta was
beating him. He indicated that Colley promised him that he will tell the
guards to stop the beating or he will change the escort team. He said that he
appealed to Lieutenant Colley to call the medic to attend to him, which was later
granted and he was dressed with two plasters on his head.
At this juncture, his Counsel, Lamin S. Camara, asked him to show the court
the wound on his head, which was inspected by the panel. He said on the 25th
March 2006, at around 5pm, he was taken to the NIA Headquarters. “I met one
Mr. Bojang, alias Binladen, who told me ‘Captain Mendy welcome’ explained
Mendy .” He told me that I was there for the independent witness to sign my
cautionary statement dated the 23rd March 2006. Later the gentleman came into
the office and Bojang told him ‘don’t come here to make mistakes, you made
mistakes in the statement of Captain Abdoukarim Jah’,said Mendy.He added “I
asked Bojang what mistakes are that and he told me Captain Jah’s cautionary
statement was taken on the 22nd and he wrote 25th March 2006". He said that he
was told by Bojang that his statement will be backdated to 23rd, when it was
signed on the 25th March 2006. Going further, Captain Mendy explained that he
was taken to the NIA complex again on the 29th March 2006. He said that whilst
there Momodou Hydara of the NIA stood up and said, “Captain Mendy, now we
want you to tell us all what has transpired between you and Colonel Ndure Cham.
I told him, nothing transpired between us. One Baba Saho, an NIA Officer,
asked me whether am fit to live in the next minute. I told him yes, am a human
being, if these mosquitoes can live, what about me” narrated capt.Mendy.He
continued “Then Hydara said, lets electrocute him, but Baba said, lets give him
to the soldiers to beat him mercilessly. I was then taken downstairs behind
the building in handcuffs. I was instructed to sit down on the ground, blind
folded and beaten. I was later taken back to mile two without writing any
statement. On that day I was not electrocuted,” added Mendy.
Captain Mendy narrated that on 10th April 2006, at the early morning hours
at around 12:30 am to 1:00am, he was taken back to NIA headquarters. “This
time I was only taken behind the building where I was instructed by Corporal
Sana Manjang to sit down. He was later joined by Malick Jatta, Corporal Nuha
Badjie and Michael Jabang. After a while, WO1 Tumbul Tamba came walking on his
toes. He switched off the veranda light. Nuha Badjie put a plastic bag over my
head. Corporal Manjang told me, you have to tell us all what Ndure Cham told
you or else we get your dead body out of this place. I told him I know
nothing and Ndure Cham has never told me anything. Then I was electrocuted on my
left hand and I started yelling. Malick Jatta was using his combat boots on my
skin, and also kicking me on my back. After they used six (6) plastic bags
over my head, of which I tore one by one up to six, Nuha Badjie announced that
there was only one plastic bag left. Manjang told me to measure my length on
the ground after which they started beating me again mercilessly. Sticks,
electric wires and boots started raining on my back. After a while, Musa Jammeh
came and asked, “Hey! Hey! What is going on here?” I told him they were
torturing me. He instructed them to stop and take me back to mile”. Captain
Pierre John Mendy is standing trial at the Court Martial for concealment of
treason prior to the alleged March 21st abortive coup last year.
MAI FATTY INTERROGATED
Reports reaching Foroyaa has confirmed that Barrister Mai Fatty was recently
questioned by the police.
The confirmation came days after Superintendent Aziz Bojang informed this
paper that he is released. A source told this paper that he was questioned on
the abscondence of his client, Muhamed Sirreh Baldeh, who jumped bail. The
source said his client was involved in a civil suit, but a criminal suit was
later filed against him and that the said client owed one million and forty
thousand dalasis to two complainants (name withheld) who sold flowers to him on
credit.
According to the source, the plaintiffs filed a civil suit against lawyer
Fatty’s client at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court when the latter failed to
honour the agreement he entered into with them. It revealed that an abscondence
defendant warrant was issued by the court for the arrest of his client; that
it was following the client’s arrest on court order that Fatty’s services
as a counsel were engaged.
The source further explained that Fatty went to court and the court
dismissed the entire case against his client and after which the complainants went to
the High Court and filed a case against Fatty’s client; that while the civil
suit was going on, the complainants went to the police and made a criminal
complaint against Baldeh. It is said the accused engaged Fatty’s service as a
counsel; that Fatty succeeded in securing his release from custody by court
order on certain conditions, including a Gambian surety. The source, however,
explained that the surety left the court premises without signing the bail
bond; that Fatty did make an undertaking as counsel for the accused to ensure
that the surety is recalled before the Assistant Registrar to sign the bail
bond; that the accused person was supposed to facilitate the process before the
next adjourned date. The accused was said to have absconded from the
jurisdiction after his release, and all efforts to contact the surety for him to
complete the paper work failed because he was nowhere to be found. The source
said the police had invited Fatty to help them to resolve the situation since
he had made an undertaking for the facilitation of the paper work to be
completed.
REACTION TO GPU REPORT ON ELECTION MONITORING
The Gambia Press Union recently presented a report on the monitoring of
election coverage by the media. The report claims: “Also, although Foroyaa
interviewed candidates from almost all parties, the number of interviews are not
reflective of the number of candidates per party. There is a favourable slant
towards NADD candidates.” This statement needs clarification.
Foroyaa made it a policy to interview all candidates contesting the National
Assembly elections.
We interviewed all six candidates in all the three constituencies in Banjul
and but one of all the five constituencies of Kanifing Administrative Area.
The APRC candidate for Serrekunda Central was not interviewed because he
denied the interview.
We also published the interviews of all but one of the eleven candidates in
five constituencies in the Brikama Administrative Area. The only candidate
who declined to be interviewed was the APRC candidate for Foni Bintang
constituency.
Getting his photograph from his family was not enough to encourage him to
talk.
In the North Bank of The Gambia the interview of all but one of the
candidates in Lower Nuimi, Upper Nuimi, Jokadu, Lower Baddibu and Central Baddibu
were published.
The UDP candidate for Upper Nuimi was not interviewed because he failed
three appointments at Pakau, Kerr Mama and Kayel (Kerr Sa Chaybo). Because the
amount of time devoted to campaign coverage was already exhausted, we had to
forego coverage of constituencies from Upper Baddibu to Sandu.
A reporter was assigned to cover Upper River Region, the Southern part of
the Central River Region and Lower River Region. He reported as follows:
“I managed to conduct the following interviews:
Alhagie Momodou Sanneh; UDP; Kiang West,
Kalifa Kambi ;APRC, Kiang West
Mao Darboe; Independent, Kiang West,
Aba L. Yarbo; APRC, Kiang Central,
Karafa Dampha; UDP, Kiang East,
Bora Mass ;APRC, Kiang East,
Kemeseng Jammeh; UDP, Jarra West,
Pa Jallow; UDP, Jarra Central,
Bafaye Barjo; APRC, Jarra East,
Kekoi Barjo; UDP, Jarra East’
Amadou Sanneh; UDP, Fulladu West,
Mama Kandeh; APRC, Jimara,
Sellou Bah; APRC, Basse,
Netty Baldeh; APRC, Tumana,
Alhagie Sillah; Independent, Niani.
I attended meetings in Wuli East and West where I reported on those meetings.
However, I had difficulty in interviewing some candidates, some declined my
request for interview, others did not fulfill appointments, yet others could
not be reached.
APRC candidates for Jarra West and Jarra Central declined my request for an
interview.
The APRC candidate for Wuli East failed the appointment arranged through his
colleague. The APRC candidate for Niamina West and Niamina Dankunku also
failed their appointments. I was unable to reach the rest of the candidates in
the area assigned to me.
Tracking down a candidate was not an easy task as it was a campaign period
and candidates who gave little significance to interviews were too busy moving
up and down. Moreover the area I had to cover was wide and I could not
afford much time chasing a candidate.”
The point is clear. Based on the principle of providing a medium for
candidates to put forward their messages, Foroyaa planned to interview all
candidates. Except for those who declined to be interviewed, all candidates from
Banjul to Kalagi were interviewed and their interviews were published. In a
similar vein, all candidates between Barra and Njaba Kunda, except one who failed
three appointments, were interviewed and their interviews were published.
As from Kiang to Koina, the reporter assigned to cover this area interviewed
4 APRC candidates, two NADD candidates and two independent candidates.
He explained that 2 APRC candidates declined interviews and another 3 failed
appointments. He also explained that he could not reach the rest of the
candidates in the area he covered.
There is no doubt that Foroyaa coverage of the National Assembly election
was the most extensive of all newspapers. Our meager budget of D10, 000 to
cover nominations, campaign and polling could not do justice to our intention.
The GPU has to seek funding for more effective coverage of elections by the
media.
Regarding allegations of suppression of opposition and independent
candidates and their supporters at the national Assembly elections, Foroyaa reported
all cases of arrests, detentions, court proceedings and allegations of threats
and intimidation that were brought to its notice. Most of them were UDP
candidates.
The reports are some times accompanied with editorials as in the case of the
arrest of the UDP candidate of Bakau Constituency, which was accompanied by
an editorial calling on the IEC to protect candidates.
Such exposures are important because they do call into question the
credibility of the elections. The IEC may possibly take action to ensure its
credibility. Perpetrators of such acts may hesitate to repeat them in order to avoid
exposure. Election observers will also have information which they may wish
to investigate.
Such reports were not given significance by the report.
EU URGED TO STOP NEGOTIATIONS ON EPAS
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Participants at the recent World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, have called
on the European Commission to stop negotiating Economic Partnership
Agreements (EPA) with governments, in the developing countries.
A statement issued by The Gambia Social Forum on Friday at a Press
Conference held at the office of The Association of Non Governmental Organisation
(TANGO), have it that the proposed free trade agreements will exacerbate the
current agricultural crisis that farmers already face which has increased poverty
and violated human rights.
It also states that the basis of the current partnership does not ensure the
protection of the rights of citizens or the sovereignty of states, nor does
it respect the provision set forth in the Cotonou Agreement that no country
should be worst off as a result of such a partnership. It states:
“The principle of reciprocity itself undermines this provision. Especially a
reciprocity that will lead to increased competition from subsidised EU
agricultural commodities that decimate farmers’ livelihoods, chronic food
insecurity and unemployment, major economic instability as a result of the
elimination of tariff and duty barriers.” It adds that there will be significant
welfare losses, particularly in the purchasing power of consumers and the provision
of basic social services from governments that have lost crucial state
revenues. The WSF also said that EPAs weakened regional integration process and
the reversal of those gains achieved so far. The statement added that the
principle of reciprocity undermined development objectives of African countries
and the sovereignty of peoples and states.
The Social Forum indicated that the new partnership with the EU must be in
compliance with WTO rules and not to be in partnership based on reciprocity.
It also called for an agreement that will protect Africa-Caribbean-Pacific
(ACP) producers in domestic and regional markets.
Sirra Ndow, Chairperson of The Gambia Social Forum, said this is the first
time that delegates from The Gambia have participated in the WSF. Mrs. Ndow
said that they would sensitise government and parliament on the EPAs. Amodou
Taal, a member of the forum, said the WSF is unique and significant to the
world citizenry who find it as a platform to discuss global and individual
issues.
Alagi Kebbeh a member said the holding of the WSF at the same time with the
World Economic Forum was to counter the latter’s agenda. Other speakers at
the press conference were Ousman Yabo and Yadicon Njie-Eribo.
The 7th edition of the World Social Forum (WSF) was held from 20th -25th
January, 2007, in Nairobi. It was first held in 2001. Last year it was held in
Mumbai. The WSF is a global movement which creates a forum for reflective
thinking, democratic debates and interlinking of civil society that oppose
neo-liberalism.
SETTLE YOUR TAXES
Says Richards
By Sarjo Camara Singhateh
Magistrate Richards of the Bundung Magistrate Court told one Sainabou
Charreh, of Latrikunda Sabiji, to try and get recently introduced tax payers
identification number (TIN) before the next adjourned date.
Sainabou Charreh, the plaintiff, drags one Ramou Bah to court for receiving
an amount of D23,000 twenty three thousand dalasi on credit which is the cost
of three different types of dress, including one tie and dye and two already
sewn brocade “Mbasin” clothes.
The plaintiff stated that although she started the business not very long
ago, she would make everything possible to do the registration with the Revenue
Authorities, including KMC. Magistrate Richards told the plaintiff that the
law is helping her to recover her debts so she should not do anything
contrary to its fulfillment. “But for him to entertain her case, she must settle her
business obligations,” he concluded.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE BEGINING OF NATIONAL EMANCIPATION
The earlier struggles waged by Fode Kaba Dumbuya and Fode Sillah of Kombo
plus many others such as Ma Ba Diakhou is sufficient evidence to show that
Gambians were not only uncomfortable with British domination but also clearly
showed the rejection and resentment against colonial rule in their country.
The trickery schemed by the British Colonialist to pretend to be supportive
of weaker kings to defend themselves against the stronger kings or even
jihadists was what paid off because at the time, the weaker kings were with the
illusion that the white man loves them and wanted to help them but little did
they know that the white man was scheming to subjugate, exploit and dominate
them for decades to come.
After almost three decades of colonial rule, Gambia could produce very few
graduates who could stand up to the colonialist and demand ownership of their
country. But by 1918, the struggle for National emancipation had begun in
Ernest.
Edward Francis Small alias Pa Small was born in Banjul then Bathurst in
January 1891. He completed his education at the Methodist Boys High School in
Freetown Post Office in 1910. He then held a series of clerical jobs in both
Freetown and Bathurst before finally becoming a teacher in Bathurst in 1915.
According to Dawda Faal, small as a teacher decided to become a clergyman in the
Methodist Mission and in 1917, he was sent to Ballanghar to serve a
probationary period as an agent of the Methodist Mission, but within 18 months, he
was dismissed from his employment.
According to Faal, smalls’ dismissal followed what was referred to as the “
Ballanghar incident.” On New Year’s Eve 1918, small ordered the bell of the
mission chapel at Ballanghar to be tolled heralding the annual watch night
service, which sound disturbed one James walker, a European trader who was also
living in the village.
According to Faal, an argument developed between small and walker bringing
the two men to blows. According to Mr. Faal, the “Ballanghar incident” was to
serve as the starting point for the political career of Edward Francis Small.
Francis hated injustice. He could not rest seeing injustice perpetrated on
him, so he complained to the travelling commissioner, Mr. J. L. Mc Callum, who
then, held him responsible for the incident. Small also denounced the
commissioner’s conduct.
The incident took another dimension when the commissioner insisted on the
removal of small from Ballanghar which put pressure on the Methodist Mission,
and Rev PS Toys who was the chairman of the Gambia District of Wesleyan
Methodist Church, decided to withdrew Small to Sukuta. Small resented the
mistreatment from the Church and proceeded to criticize Rev. Toys openly which
subsequently led to his dismissal from mission employment.
THE STRUGGLE BREWS UP
The Methodist Church could not cool the temper of Francis Small because his
anger just happened to coincide with a tiny incident but Francis Small’s
anger lies deep beneath the injustices meted out to his people. He has seen that
the people did not have the schools, hospitals and other social services they
needed at the time. He has also witnessed like many others that they had no
freedom of expression to combat mismanagement of their resources. They also
have no freedom of assembly and association to safeguard their interests. They
also had no freedom to determine who manage their tax money. And worse of
all, they saw that the colonialists established different standards for
themselves while the so-called subjects were considered “uncivilized natives” Can
any genuine Patriot glossed his or her mind to this injustices and
maladministration? Francis Small certainly could not. So he consciously planned to
liberate the country from the colonialist just like they too had planned to
subjugate the country from the earlier kings.
Francis Small and colleagues knew that the people were powerless and
therefore needed to be empowered; that the empowerment of the people was
inconceivable without the freedom of assembly and association. He then decided to teach
the importance of exercising freedom of association by organizing civil
servants into “The Native Defence Union” (GNDU) to negotiate for better wages
from the colonial administrators, and also attacked what they called “the
blatant flaws in the administration of the Central Government.” By 1920, Francis
Small and colleagues’ struggle took a new impetus. According to the Foroyaa
Civic Education Booklet, the struggle went like this.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEMOCRATIC FRONT
The creation of a Union was not sufficient. Francis Small and other
activists for self determination and internal self government extended their freedom
of assembly and association by organizing a group called The National
Congress of British West Africa which held its first meeting in Gold Coast (now
Ghana) in 1920. The delegates to the congress agreed that taxation should go hand
in hand with effective representation. They agreed to go back to their
respective countries to struggle for self government through representative
institutions such as councils of elected members.
The lesson is, therefore, clear. The pioneers of the national liberation
struggle in Africa saw the importance of freedom of assembly and associations
and the right to participate in electing representatives to run the
institutions for self governance. Their struggle was a democratic struggle. Democracy is
inconceivable without freedom of assembly, freedom of association and
freedom to choose one’s representatives to manage the people’s affairs in the
people’s interest.
Edward Francis Small returned from the National Congress of British West
Africa a determined person to ensure that people were empowered to take part in
determining their destiny.
He saw the importance of building pressure groups to promote the general
welfare of the people and for self government. The Rate Payers’ Association was
established in 1922. He educated the rate payers that the duty to pay taxes
should be linked to the right to elect members of Councils to manage the
monies paid by them.
Furthermore, Francis Small understood the importance of freedom of
expression and the dissemination of information in raising public awareness. Democracy
is inconceivable without freedom of expression. Francis Small, therefore,
established a newspaper known as The Gambia Outlook. In this newspaper, he
published the concerns of the people and the views of Africans in other parts of
the world against colonialism.
Between 1922 and 1924, many petitions were submitted to the colonial
administration calling for the establishment of Councils with democratically elected
Councillors to manage the monies of rate payers. These petitions were
rejected by the colonial authorities. For example, the Secretary of State for
Colonies stated his rejection of the petitions in 1924 in the following words:
“While I sympathise with their desire for elective institutions I do not
consider that education and political thought in the colony and still less in
the protectorate (which could not be well separated from the colony in any
constitutional arrangement which might be made) have yet reached a level which
would render elective institutions valuable.”
Francis Small was convinced that organisation was the instrument to give
power to civil society and thus enable the people to effect change. He
therefore, proceeded to organise the people at all levels. In 1928, Bathurst Trade
Union was established. It later became The Gambia Labour Union. In 1929, the
Union organised a successful sixty day strike for better wages for dockers
amongst others. The colonialists were so overwhelmed that they officially
recognised the Union and increased wages. The pressure of an organised people could
not be ignored.
GAMBIA MARKS 42nd INDEPDNDENCE ANNIVERSARY
By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Suwaibou Touray
The Gambia on Saturday, February 18th, marked its 42nd Independence
anniversary.
The event was observed, as usual, in a parade by school children, security
forces, cultural groups and ordinary citizens at the July 22nd Square in
Banjul.
The acting Mayoress of Banjul, Mam Sai Njie-Sanneh, delivered the President’
s address to the nation on his behalf.
Mam Saye Njie said among other things she was delighted and proud to address
Gambians on this auspicious day marking the 42nd anniversary of The Gambia’s
attainment of independence.
The acting said it is pertinent to reiterate the need to reassess our
strengths and shortcomings in order to focus our energies and efforts towards
greater achievements of our national development aspirations.
“Being a patriot and to contribute effectively to national development has
to begin with an appreciation of our cultural heritage and our national
circumstances including…the attendant predicaments and comparative advantages” she
said.
She asserted that a nation cannot thrive in the absence of peace, security
and social cohesion, and as we continue to evolve as a democratic nation, we
must anchor all of these ideals to the democratic precepts, practices and
principles that we have grown over the years.
On patriotism and pragmatism, Madame Njie-Sanneh said, we need to take this
a step further to establish development-oriented social groups and committees
in our communities and regions. She also said the youth, in particular, have
a lead role in this regard, that the destiny of this nation will ultimately
fall into their hands; that the earlier the youths realise this and begin to
respond effectively and positively towards shaping the common destiny, the
better for us all.
Regarding the five years term, she said her government is pursuing an all
round national development and growth programme that will yield economic and
political independence, social emancipation from poverty, deprivation, disease,
want, squalor and all the vices and social ills that would deter progress and
self determination as a people.
The acting Mayoress, speaking on behalf of the president, reiterated that as
stated in Vision 2020, she has the declaration and determination to
transform the Gambia into an economic giant in Africa.
To take our rightful place in the International Community as a proud nation,
she said, we must begin at home by reducing the poverty levels of the
people; that poverty has been fluctuating over the years and presently estimated at
about 68% in the rural areas and 40 in the urban areas. She said poverty
reduction is a key component of her government’s policy.
According to the president speech, income generation and improvement,
especially through investment in the social sectors, such as agriculture, health,
education and infrastructure is a cardinal development objective of the
government, but that people have to work their way out of poverty by abandoning “
bantabas” and vous and strive to make a living out of all the opportunities and
conducive environment government and development partners are creating.
On elections, she said the government has now been given the mandate to be
at the helm of affairs for five years and called on people to put aside their
political affiliations and come together to work in the interest of the
nation.
On the issue of HIV/AIDS, she said they have made an important breakthrough
in seeking a solution to it and that they acknowledge the complications
inherent in it. She also said they have now found a remedy for the disease, and
urged people to maintain such social habits not to entrench the pandemic within
the communities. He also calls on all those who are infected by it to come
forward to be treated and not to hide for fear of exposure.
She then finally thanked the armed forces, the school children and teachers,
cultural groups and various organizing committees and prayed to Allah to
bless the country and shower his mercies and favour on all of us.
GCAA FINANCIAL DIRECTOR TESTIFIES IN TAAL’S CASE
The Director of Finance at The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Mr.
Hassan Jallow, on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, testified in the criminal trial
against Maimuna Taal, the Former Directress General of GCAA.
Testifying as a prosecution witness before Justice S. Monageng of the High
Court in Banjul, Jallow was led through his testimony by the Acting Deputy
Director of Public Prosecutions (DDPP), Mrs. Marie Saine-Firdaus.
He gave his qualifications as Fellow of the Certified Chartered Accountants
(FCCA) UK; and member of Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) of the
UK. Jallow further said as Director of Finance, he was responsible for the
financial administration of the Authority; and he’s answerable to the Directress
General of GCCA. Asked who was the DG of GCAA from the time he joined GCAA,
Jallow said Malick Cham was the DG up to September 2003. he said the accused
(Taal) took over from 2003 to 2005, and then Paul Bass came in up to February
or March 2006. He said that now Fansu Bojang is the DG. He recognised the
accused in the dock, saying she was the Director General of GCAA. Jallow said
his department was responsible for budget preparation and financing, and he
said if he sees the 2003, 2004 and 2005 budgets in respect of rehabilitations
of premises, offices, quarters or buildings of the GCAA, he would recognise
the documents, saying it’s a public document. The exhibits were shown to him
by the prosecutor and he identified the budgets, and read out the amounts to
the court. He said the budget for 2004 was D316, 000 but the actual amount
spent for rehabilitation works was about D2.1 million.
Asked how he would explain in financial language what was actually budgeted
and what was spent in 2003, Jallow said, “It would be described as
over-expenditure.” He also said what was spent for 2004 was an over-spending but he
said that of 2005 was “Under-spending. He added that “normally anything over 10
per cent is considered excessive.” Asked whether he would say that the
spending in 2003 and 2004 were excessive, Jallow replied, “If it’s more than 10
per cent, yes.” He said payments are approved by the Directress General and
sent to his office, and he would minute it to the Accounts Unit, to process the
payment. He said during the processing, it’s sent to the Internal Audit for
verification and advice, among other things. Jallow said if the payment is
over the budget, the DG is consulted and if she gives the go ahead, they
process the payment. Asked which houses were rehabilitated between 2003 and 2005,
he named them as the DG’s quarters; Director of Flight safety’s quarters, and
that of the Air Traffic Control Manager. He said the payments were approved
by the DG. Asked whether he would have made the payments if they were not
approved, he said no.
Jallow said he was a member of the contracts committee responsible for
evaluating and submitting their recommendations to the DG. He said they submit to
the DG because she’s the Chief approving officer. According to the Finance
Director, they are guided by the guidelines of The Gambia Public Procurement
Authority (GPPA) which is binding on every public institution in The Gambia. He
said normally contracts are advertised and bidders submit their bids, which
are evaluated by the committee and the recommendation submitted to the DG for
approval. Asked how the process went in respect of the DG’s residence,
Jallow answered: “I cannot fully remember but I believe it went through the normal
process of evaluation and submission to the DG for approval.” He said he
believed the whole contract of the DG’s residence and others were approved by
the DG. He said according to the rules, late submission of a bid is one of the
grounds for rejection of a bid. He admitted that he had not attended all the
meetings where bids are opened. And, he said he was aware of the Airport
Improvement Project but he was not involved. He disclosed that the DG was
answerable to the Board of Directors of GCAA, which is the highest decision making
body. He said he’s not a member of the Board, and he also said he could not
remember the Board instructing him to make any payment. He also noted that if
payment is more than the DG’s approval level, it’s taken to the Board. Asked
by DDPP Saine-Firdaus, the relationship between GCAA and the GPPA, the
Finance Director said GPPA is an oversight institution mandated by government to
draw the guidelines for public procurement and that public institutions are
suppose to work within those guidelines. He said according to the guidelines,
the GCAA is supposed to inform the GPPA about the process for contracts within
certain range: contracts from D1m (one million) above should seek GPPA’s
approval. He said there are cases for single source procurement because of some
justifiable reason; so you apply to the GPPA for a single source.
The case was, at that point, adjourned to the next day to cross-examine the
witness. However, the case could not proceed as adjourned, because the judge
was said to have travelled. Lawyer Gaye was assisted by lawyer Mr. Salieu
Taal and Ms. Combeh Gaye.
32 NIGERIAN TECHNICAL AID CORPS VOLUNTEERS ARRIVED IN THE GAMBIA
By Annia Gaye
Thirty-two (32) Nigerian Technical Aid Corps Volunteers comprising medical
doctors, pharmacists, nurses and teachers have arrived in The Gambia on Friday
16th February, 2007.
Speaking to reporters after the arrival of the volunteers at the Banjul
International Airport, the Nigerian High Commissioner, Maryam Mohammed, said she
is happy to receive the first badge of Technical Aid Corps Volunteers to The
Gambia; that this is something that Nigeria loves to do for her sister
countries in the sub-region. She said that Nigeria has been sending volunteers to
The Gambia to serve in various sectors and thus emphasised the need for
countries to be helping each other. Mrs. Muhammed said that since Nigeria has the
man power and expertise they will continue the support; that this will be
strengthening the relationship between The Gambia and Nigeria. She also expressed
her hope that The Gambia will reciprocate such as a supportive gesture
whenever the need arises.
For his part, the Chief Nursing Officer of The Gambia, Mr. Ismaila Njie,
expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s intervention in these areas of need; that
this could not have come at better time than now when there is severe human
resource shortage due to staff attrition. He disclosed that the members of the
first badge that have arrived are all going to the major hospitals such as
RVTH, Farafenni hospital, Sulayman Junkung hospital in Bwiam and Bansang
hospital.
He expressed his hope that the engagement of these medical personnel will
reduce patient waiting time, particularly, the surgical list. Mr. Njie appealed
to all to cooperate with this technical corps members as they are visitors
who are coming to help and render us good service; that patients should be
able to accommodate and cope with these volunteers who are newly arriving and
may encounter cultural differences. Finally, Mr. Njie said that The Gambia is
very grateful to Nigeria.
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
|
