Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues

Issue No. 45/2005, 9-12 June 2005



Editorial

THE MEDIA LED ASTRAY BY

MISLEADING PRESS RELEASE

A Press Release was issued by the Department of State for Interior informing the public that the Report on the Investigation on the shooting incident which resulted in the death of Mr. Deyda Hydara, Editor in Chief and Co-proprietor of The Point Newspaper and the wounding of two female members of staff on the 16th December 2004, has been forwarded to the Department of State for Information, Communication and Technology for dissemination to the Media Houses for public consumption.

This message gave the impression that the media houses had been given a feedback on the findings connected to the shooting.  If the media failed to publish what is received, the impression would have been given that they are suppressing information.

The fact of the matter is that the media received a Confidential Report whose content is grossly at variance with what was expected.  The Investigators appeared to have been investigating Deyda instead of his murderers.  They focused more attention in trying to prove that Deyda earned contempt by his action which made him a likely target of murder.  Replacing fiction with facts, the report trailed Deyda from childhood to his death.

One can read from the innuendos and subterfuges that the motive is to discredit rather than help unravel a murder case.  It is Deyda who was put on trial and the State which emerged as a victim of vilification.  The trail of the murderer is practically non existent.

Anybody who reads the report up to the end is left more confused about the motive of Deyda’s murderers.  It is as if Deyda was hated by everybody.  This farce is peddled as a preamble to cover up the incapacity of those responsible for apprehending his murderer.

In our view, the media should never have published the report verbatim.  Instead the media should have compelled the Secretaries of State for Information Communication and Technology and the Interior to hold a joint press conference for journalists to ascertain the validity of the wild innuendos that permeated the opinionated report.

Foroyaa calls on the Gambia Press Union to call on the authorities to hold a press conference so that journalists can interrogate the content of the report to separate facts from fictions and opinions from relevant evidence.

The Gambia Press Union should not take this unprovoked attack on Deyda’s integrity lightly.  He can no longer write or speak.  Those who are said to have been aggrieved by him were alive and had every right to respond to defend their integrity.  They could exercise their freedom of _expression.  Deyda however, cannot exercise his freedom of _expression.  It has been seized in its totality by negating his life.  Those whose hearts are not touched by such murder and are instead pushed to take a defensive posture against a murdered man have a case, on professional integrity, to answer.  The press which Deyda defended should now come to his defence in his absence.  Those who are responsible for the dissemination of the report must now be held accountable for its content.

Deyda demands an explanation and the Press Union must pursue his demand on his behalf.



NADD LAUNCHING AND CAMPAIGNING

FOROYAA: The Launching is now history, can we have a post mortem?

Halifa: What is missing is the coverage of the crowd by the press or electronic media.  Photo Journalists should have been able to tell their own story.  Unlike President Jammeh’s celebration of the Under 17 victory, we did not kill bulls and sheep and provide drinks to draw a crowd.  They came voluntarily to take ownership of NADD to the citizenry.  The feedback I have been receiving recently is that people are highly impressed.  The only dissatisfaction expressed is that some were not able to hear initially because of the poor state of our public address system.  This will not occur again.

FOROYAA: Some have also mentioned that people were disappointed by the lack of announcement of a flag bearer?

Halifa: I have read that in the press.  However, I do not think this issue was upper-most in the minds of the people.  I remember explaining to the people that NADD is a tactical alliance which took up strategic issues in order to make unity possible.

FOROYAA: What do you mean?

Halifa: It was made clear that in the absence of a second round of voting the opposition may share 70% of the votes cast only to lose the seat to the APRC candidate; that tactically they stand a better chance in putting up one candidate.  I have not heard any dissenting view on this proposition.

Secondly, I made it clear that each party saw advantages in pooling together their collective strength; that this gave rise to the strategic arrangement of creating NADD so that the presidential candidate will be owned by all the parties.  The arrangement for the president to serve for one term and then hand over to another president without giving any support to any candidate has gone down well with all member parties.  In my view, people simply want the NADD executive to come up with a credible candidate who can win the support of the masses and further preside over a successful transitional programme to consolidate democracy and development.  The people applauded when the explanation was given at the launching.  I believe the people are convinced that the executive is taking the right steps at the right time to move the process forward.

FOROYAA: When do you think the flag bearer will be named?

Halifa: Members of the executive can raise the issue for discussion.  If the members of any member party are of the impression that a flag bearer should be named now they should urge the executives of their parties to raise the issue.  As far as I am concerned the MOU states very clearly that the flag bearer issue should be determined by consensus.  In the absence of a consensus the party chairmen, chairwomen, youth leaders will vote on the basis of equal number of delegates for each party.  The provisions are there to avoid any impasse in selecting a flag bearer.

FOROYAA: What about the prospects in Njau and Nianija by-elections?

Halifa: The campaign went smoothly.  The reports we have sent to the IEC is simply to dispel fear.  The presence of security forces and some vehicles without number plates incited doubt.  We took action to address the situation.  I must say that we are receiving cooperation so far in dealing with problems.

FOROYAA: What are the chances for NADD?

Halifa: The Executive held many rallies in Nianija and Njau.  The people were fully informed why NADD came into being.  I am convinced that the people are taking ownership of NADD.

FOROYAA: What type of message did you give?

Halifa: As Coordinator I explained the tactical and strategic reasons behind the creation of NADD.  It was made clear to them that just as a compound needs a budget and a compound owner a say in how the compound is run, a country also needs a budget and the citizenry a say on how their country is run.  That the country’s revenue of D3,000 Million comes from direct and indirect taxes and payment for services.  That election gives the citizenry power and say to determine who should manage the revenue taken from the tax payers, contact loans, manage security forces and provide services to the citizenry.  They were told that the sources of the loans which provided for the different roads and other services.  It was made clear that the country is relying on loans to develop infrastructure but is not developing the productive base to sustain repayments of loans.  They were informed that we are paying half of the revenue earned to service a debt of D22 Billion (22,000 Million dalasis).
 That as long as the huge debts are paid the public sector cannot employ more than 200,000 young people who are coming out of our school system.  They were informed that even though the price of groundnuts in the World market is between D29, 000 – D31, 000 per ton, the purchasers of the nuts provided only D8, 100 per ton.  They were told that instead of using the power they entrust to the government to liberate them the government usurped the peoples power and transformed it into the power of the executive to rule the country with an iron hand, that if they withdraw their support by not voting for the government they will teach them that power belongs to the people, that it is only when they assert their will to change governments that they would be mindful of the needs and aspirations of the people.

FOROYAA: How do you access their response?

Halifa: The people have their own grievances and the message just made them to be more resolved.  We will wait for the results.

FOROYAA: What about Channeh Ceesay?

Halifa: The Lioness of Baati Ndar.  All the oppression she was subjected to had disappeared by the time the NADD executive went on tour.  Channeh’s family members were being used to create a problem for her but the situation has changed.  I am yet to investigate whether the Vice President acted to caution the APRC team to desist from using the mother or not.  What is important to note is that Channeh is as free as a Lioness in the wild to exercise her citizenship rights to be the representative of the people of her ward.

FOROYAA: Any message?

Halifa: NADD arose to chart a new path for opposition politics as an alternative government.  The foundation of mature politics is indeed being built step by step.  The future is bright for the Gambian people.



TRIAL OF ID CARD TRIO CONTINUES



By Yaya Dampha

The trial of three impersonators one Irish and two Gambians continued at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Monday 6th June 2005.

The third accused person, Mr. Cathel Omnolain, was called to enter into his defence and also asked whether he have arranged for his witnesses that he promised to bring.  He said he is not guilty of the ten counts of conspiracy that he is facing.  He said that apart from accused number two, no one else said he has deals with him.  Mr. Cathel further stated that Momodou Lamin Drammeh (the first accused) told the court that he normally collects ID card forms, photos and monies together with the necessary information and pass them to Babucarr Bah who is the second accused.  We went on to say that he believes the first accused was doing this in good faith since the second accused told them that he is an Immigration Officer.  He denied manufacturing the ID cards for Mr. Momodou Wuri Jallow.

Cathel further stated that one Mr. Bakary J. Camara who is Commissioner for Oath prepared an ID card for Mr. Momodou Wuri Jallow.  The accused also complained that among the three of them, he is the only one whose finger prints were taken and he considered this unfair.

He said he did not manufacture any ID cards but confirmed that he scanned them and also does the photocopying.  He said it was Bah who issued them.

When his statement was shown to him he confirmed that it was he who wrote it.  Cathel said he did not know the first accused but he knew the second accused at Tabokoto.  He said Bah comes to him with bags full of ID card forms, residential permits, and alien ID cards which he said were legitimate.  He said Bah also have some birth certificate forms and that he Mr. Cathel, had scanned four to five of those papers.

He called one Momodou Jallow who is also a Prisoner at Mile II as his witness but when called in the dock, Mr. Jallow said he knew nothing concerning the matter.

The case has been adjourned to the 16th June 2005, for the third accused to call his remaining witnesses.



POLICE OFFICER TESTIFIES IN CHIEF INSPECTOR JAWO’S TRIAL



By Bubacarr K. Sowe

Corporal 692 Peter Jarjue, a prosecution witness in the ongoing criminal case involving Chief Inspector Omar Jawo and the State, on Tuesday testified before Magistrate Jawo of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court.

In his testimony, the witness informed the court that he and two officers left Brikama Police Station for Amdalaye sometime in April 2005 to search the house of Ebrima Bah.  According to the witness, while searching the house of Ebrima Bah, a photo of the accused and a letter connected to him which was written by one Lamin Sanneh (a CID officer who was at the time posted at the Mandinaba Police Post) were found in a black bag in the house.

At this juncture, a letter and a photo were shown to the witness by the prosecution for identification purpose.  The witness at this stage told the court that the photo and the letter shown to him were the true copies of the items found in Mr. Bah’s house at Amdalaye.  However, the witness later contradicted his earlier testimony when he was unable to tell the court the colour of the uniform worn by the person whose image reflected in the picture.

The witness could not also tell the court how long it took them to plan their trip to Amdalaye.  The witness was later asked to step down after he was subject to vigorous examination by Mai Fatty, the accused person’s counsel.  The accused was later granted bail by the court on condition that he provides a Gambian surety with D50, 000.00.  The case is adjourned till 24th June 2005.



PROPRIETOR OF HARRY’S SUPERMARKET IN COURT

The criminal case pertaining to the proprietor of Harry’s supermarket, Surresh Wadwani and the State resumed at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Monday before Magistrate Mboto.

The accused, Surresh Kumar Wadwani, is charged with the sale of articles unfit for human consumption, contrary to Section 172 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10 Volume III, Laws of The Gambia 1990.  The accused is also charged with the sale and exposure of food and drinks contrary to section 5(e) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Decree 1994.

According to the particulars of offence, Surresh Wadwani of Harry’s and Sony’s Supermarket, between February 2002 and February 2005, intentionally sold or exposed for sale food and drinks as articles unfit for consumption, an act that is detrimental to the health and welfare of the people of The Gambia.



Sheriff Badjie Cross-examined

During cross-examination by Defence Counsel, Sheriff Marie Tambedou, the first prosecution witness, Sheriff Badjie (a Public Health Officer) testified that he and some officer of the National Intelligence Agency conducted inspection on the supermarkets owned by the accused on the 15th February 2005.  He noted that the said exercise was the first of its kind he conducted on Harry’s supermarket.  However, the witness testified that he did not know whether his institution ever inspected Harry’s supermarket prior to the 15th February 2005.  Asked by Sheriff Tambedou whether he knew that Harry’s supermarket had started operation on or about February 2005, the witness said he did know that the aforesaid outfit had been in operation for sometime, but could not say the exact time it started operation.  The witness also concurred with the defence counsel’s suggestion that before any person starts operating a supermarket, he must have a health clearance or a certificate issued by the
 Department of State for Health.  He pointed out that certificate is issued every six months. He told the court that institutions apply for the said certificate. He said it is a practice for them to inspect institutions before issuing certificates to them.  On what conditions have to be certified before institutions are certificated, the witness said the conditions will depend on the type of institution that is seeking for certification.  However, he noted that generally, they (public health officers) have to look at the ventilation, lighting, space and structural make up of the said institution.  He said in the case of a supermarket, they will have a general inspection of the food items.  He said in a situation where the institution does not certify the aforesaid conditions, it will not be certified.  The witness said he has not personally seen any application from Harry’s supermarket.  He testified that it could be possible that Harry’s supermarket did make applications to the
 Department of State for health for it to operate.  Asked by Tambedou whether Harry’s application will be available at the Department of State for Health, the witness posited that if Harry’s supermarket had applied, it is likely that the applications will be in their office. But the witness added that they normally ask proprietors to keep copies of their applications. Sheriff Tambedou put it to the witness that applications are not requisite for certification at all times, because sometimes health inspectors issue on the spot certification after an inspection.  The witness concurred with the suggestion.  The witness further testified that he could not remember anytime when his office turned down an application from the following supermarkets owned by the accused, namely, Harry’s, Sony’s supermarket, Shell Kairaba and Select Food store.  Continuing his testimony, the witness said he could not recall any moment when the Department of State for Health attempted to close down Harry’s
 supermarket, Sony’s supermarket or Select Food store.  On Sheriff Tambedou’s claim that he would have known about it if the Department of State for Health ever attempted to close down the supermarkets own by the accused person, the witness replied that he spent barely a year in his current office and would not know whether the Department of State for Health ever attempted to close down the aforesaid supermarkets in his absence. At this juncture, the defence counsel asked him whether it will be possible to find out whether the Department of State for Health ever attempted to close down any of the supermarkets.  In his response, the witness said it will be difficult to undertake that exercise, because health officers at the Department of State for Health come and go.  He said there is no file for Harry’s supermarket.

The defence counsel at this juncture put it to the witness that the Department of Health Services never attempted to close down any of the supermarkets owned by the accused person.  The witness noted that it could be ture that Harry’s supermarket has been in operation since the year 2000 and it is issued certificate for operation every year.

The defence counsel then referred the witness to exhibits B2 to B5.  After the witness had already glanced through the said exhibits, the defence counsel held one of the items which he described as two litres of “seven up” and asked him whether it is reflected on the said exhibits.  The witness responded in the negative.  The said item is already in evidence.

On the witness’ claim that he did found expired food and wholesome food at Harry’s supermarket, the defence counsel asked the witness whether he did enquire from the accused why the items were at Harry’s supermarket.  In response the witness said he did not ask him, because they (public health officers) don’t ask questions.  The witness said he is not aware whether the accused offered any explanation to that effect.

At this stage the case was adjourned till the next day.

See the next issue for those proceedings.



GPU CONDEMNS REPORT

Below is the full text of a press release issued by the Gambia Press Union, which is a reaction to a confidential report on the murder of Deyda Hydara. The report was released for public consumption.  The Gambia Press Union condemns the official report into the shooting incident leading to the death of the late Deyda Hydara, managing editor, cofounder and proprietor of The Point newspaper issued by the Department of State for Interior in the form of a press release addressed to the media and the GPU for purposes of publication.



The GPU is disappointed and dismayed that the country’s premier investigation agency, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), could produce such a report after several months of investigation into a matter of national and international importance and concern.



The whole report reads more like a work of fiction rather than a serious official document on a tragic case. Rather than pursuing this matter in a scientific and professional manner, the Press Union has found to its disenchantment that the report contains all kinds of irrelevances with sorties here and there that amount to nothing other than beating about the bush and evidently designed to sow the seeds of doubt and confusion; the main

objective being to halt all further efforts and initiatives in the investigation and to let the public dismiss the whole affair from its immediate concern.



In this respect, the Union wants to impress on both the public and the intelligence community that our concern here is about the murder of a bonafide citizen of this country that is beyond the ordinary. It also happened that the person in question was an outspoken opinion leader who was a critic of the government as well as others in his deep commitment to safeguard the public interest and speak for the person in the street.



Therefore, whatever relations he might have had be they extra marital, business, social or other interests should not be points to address in such a report unless it can prove, beyond reasonable doubt that they are directly responsible for his murder. Anything else is mere speculation and the Union finds it disappointing that the overall output of this effort at investigation has only amounted to nothing more than that.



Our Police and NIA should have borrowed a leaf from other professional intelligence agencies by conducting their work through more extensive use of forensic evidence and through sound detective work. We wonder for example why in such a bulky report, there is complete silence on the bullets recovered from the body of the victim. Since modern means can be used to trace the origin of a used bullet - type of gun used, its date of manufacture, its maker and supplier, to whom supplied by the manufacturer, the shop it was purchased from and who the licensed custodian was - we wonder why the report stated nothing on this matter.



Secondly, the report also conveniently fails to mention the autopsy report. The Union understands that even the late Deyda Hydara’s family was refused a copy of this vital document.



In conclusion, the Gambia Press Union rejects the whole report in its totality and once more calls on Government and its intelligence services to get back to work in order to seriously address this problem of national and international concern. And, if it is beyond their capacity to resolve the issues involved, to solicit assistance from the UN, the Commonwealth or other friendly governments. Nothing less will satisfy us and the Gambian public on this matter.



LAUNCHING OF NADD

Part 4

Hon. Hamat N.K. Bah’s Speech (Excerpts)

Good evening to everyone, I also want to express greetings to members of the press.

Today marks another important day in our quest for genuine democracy in this country.  As from the 17th January, the five opposition parties, namely the NDAM, NRP, PDOIS, PPP and UDP came together.  It is important to tell you the reason why we came together.  I think Hon. Halifa Sallah tried to explain some of the reasons, but I also have some thing to add to it.  Our coming together is to enhance and strengthen ourselves so that we can remove Yahya Jammeh from power.  I want to send a message to the supporters of the APRC, because if we need to win, we need their votes since the last results indicated 52% against 48%.  What I want to assure the APRC supporters is that we are not after anybody’s head.  We will be a responsible government that will not go on a seizure spree on people’s property.  We will not be a government that will humiliate its people. We will be a government that will respect the fundamental rights of its people. I want to send a message to the security forces,
 that as long as they work within the law they have nothing to fear in a NADD led government.  The same thing goes to all other apparatus of the state. The Police are here to stay; the Army are here to stay. The intelligence Services are here to stay. They will not be serving individuals but as a nation. They will not be reduced to thugs or bandits.  They will be men and women of great profession, who will have the qualities for a democratic dispensation; who will have the respect that they deserve.  In the twelve months to come, I want them to work cautiously.  Yahya Jammeh’s regime is over.  These signs are on the wall.  The way the country is run today and what is happening in the Gambia are clear indications that the leadership has completely lost track.

Now I want to send a message to President Jammeh that if he plays the game fairly and respects the institutions of government in these few coming months, I assure him that he will be given the same treatment like his counterparts who lost power in Africa.  For him to get that, he needs to work within the law.  Democracy is here to stay in this country and I want to advise those who are sceptics and worry about a NADD led government, not to think that they would be exterminated and expelled out of this country.  I want to assure you that you have men and women of integrity in NADD who will protect the rights of every Gambian.  Have nothing to worry in giving us your votes. All the parties are alive and have decided to join together and it is the national interest that has bound us together and NADD will form a national unity government that will accommodate everybody, every profession and every section of society.

What I believe in is that in Africa, by virtue of our diversity and the nature of the African society, with differences we have in cultures, traditions and different norms and conventions. I am convinced that the only way forward in nurturing democracy is to have an all inclusive government where everybody has an interest to follow.

Youths of this country, your power is your vote, if you don’t have a voter’s card you don’t have power and if you have a voter’s card and don’t vote it is useless.  I want to appeal to the youths that you have a stake, we are working for you and in order for us to continue working for you, you need to give us your support.  It is easy when election comes for people to go and sell their votes for a Thousand Dalasis and enjoy “Benachin” for five days but you will live in poverty for five years and that’s exactly what is happening in this country.

I urge you all to be prepared for a tough time to come.  It is not going to be easy, the road is a long road, it is a difficult road, but we must trek through this road, we must move on.  Let’s be ready and be prepared to defend this country, defend our constitution and our people by being good servants.  During the course of this period enemies of our democracy and enemies of our country will attempt to lure you into violence by I want to assure you to reject violence, is the only way this country can move.  The only asset we have, the only diamond we have is the peace and stability that we enjoy.  But our desire for peace and stability would not set us weeping while others butcher us around.  We are ready to defend our interest.

I want you all to be prepared.  We will be moving around the country, we will be going from village to village; we will be going from house to house.  We are going to have a campaign that nobody has ever seen anywhere.  But in doing that we need your support, give us your Five Dalasis, give us your Ten Dalasis and contribute it to NADD, because election is an expensive thing.  Moving people is expensive, today if everyone of you present here contributes One Dalasi to NADD it will make a great thing.  Don’t expect NADD to give you, but you are expected to give to NADD.  When you elect a government in that manner, that will be the government that will respect you, the government that will listen to you and that is the type of government that NADD wants to bring about.  I was with President Mamadu Tanja a month ago; he told me something that I believed.  He said, “if you take money, you go to the people and give that money and they elect you, when you come to office your first
 assignment will be to try to return that money.”  I listened to this man and I trusted him totally.  So please give us your support, your vote, your Dalasi, your properties and all that you have.



Hospital Escorts Sleep Outdoor



By Tombong Jadama

Escorts of in-patients at the Bansang Hospital are face many difficulties while their loved ones are admitted.  Most of those escorts sleep outdoors, where they are exposed to all forms of biting insects and other communicable diseases.

On Tuesday 10th May 2005, when this reporter went to the hospital at around 02.00am, he found many escorts sleeping outdoor.  According to one Kumba Baldeh, they cannot be far from their patients because some of them need assistance to visit the toilet or to request for some other things.  She added that without their assistance, the nurses cannot do everything.  She also pointed out that the hospital authorities do not allow them to sleep inside.

Another escort indicated that some of them came with patients from very far places like the Cassamance region and beyond and do not know anybody within the hospital area; that this is why when they come, they bring along a lot of their belongings; that they even cook for themselves to cut down on expenditure.

According to this escort, the last time she came to Bansang Hospital, she brought her daughter and found herself in a very frustrated situation; that it is from this experience that she now brings all that she needs, whenever she comes to Bansang Hospital.  For the information of the reader there was a building constructed purposely for escorts at the hospital but the place is now used to house the hospital staff.  At present, there is construction work going on were the escorts gather to sit and sleep or relax.  As we enter the raining season, the escorts will find it all the more difficult to stay outside.  One old man called Malick Jawo said he was at the hospital for almost 7 days with his patient and did not get operation; that all this period he has been spending the night outdoors.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bansang Hospital, Mr. Ebrima Dampha, plans are on the way to look into the problems of escorts.  Mr. Dampha indicated that very soon problems like sleeping and staying outside by escorts, will be a thing of the past.



PROSECUTION DELAY CRIMINAL CASE



By Bubacarr K. Sowe

The trial of three men alleged of accessory before the fact has been adjourned for the third time by the Brikama Magistrates’ Court due to the sickness of a CID Detective who is having the prosecution’s file.

The three men Gibril Bah, Biji Bah and Galo Bah are accused of helping one Momodou Buffeh Jallow at Kassa Kunda to escort five heads of cattle to secretly slaughter them.

Standing in for the IGP, ASP Badjie informed the court that for the past days, Sergeant Ceesay who is handling the file had been ill and could not attend the court.

The counsel for the 2nd accused Lamin K. Mboge argued that the case had been delayed for too long.  He said that it is in the interest of justice and fairness that the matter be continued, indicating that the reason given by the prosecution is not genuine in view of the fact that Sergeant Ceesay is not the only Police Officer at the Brikama Police Station.

The learned counsel urged the court to discharge his client in view of the fact that it is unfair to bring a person to court and wait for an individual in order to proceed with the matter.  The presiding magistrate, Bubacarr Jawo, later ruled that the case would be adjourned for the last time.  The case was adjourned till the 28th June 2005.



GIBBI BAH’S CASE ADJOURNED



By Bubacarr K. Sowe

The ongoing trial at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court of Mr. Gibbi Bah of Faraba Village who is facing charges of stealing and being in possession of stolen properties was on Tuesday adjourned till the 22nd of this month due to the prosecutor’s failure to bring the accused to court.

According to the prosecutor of offence, Mr. Bah was found in possession of one hundred and ninety one heads of cattle believed to be stolen properties.  The prosecutor ASP Badjie informed the court that they were unable to bring the accused to court because the only vehicle they had at the station was then on a special operation, he then applied for an adjournment.

One of the counsels for the accused person O.D. Mbye urged the court to rule on the application for bail made by the defence team.  The other counsel Ousainou N.M. Darboe wondered why the accused was not in court.

The presiding magistrate, Bubacarr Jawo urged the Police Officers to bring the accused person to court, failing which he would release him on bail.  The trial magistrate said the police at Brikama had a new van and he (Jawo) had seen it with his naked eyes.  The magistrate later granted the accused bail on condition that he provided a Gambian surety with D15, 000.00



RAINFALL THIS YEAR

Prospects for rainfall this year are bright.  This is what analyses of recorded rainfalls in various parts of the country in the month of May have revealed.

According to our Basse correspondent the earliest rains this year fell on 10th May 2005.  For the purpose of analysis the country is divided into three regions – the western third, the middle third and eastern third.

According to the head of the agro meteorological office, Mr. Peter Gibba, apparently up to 31st May CRD, which constitute part of the middle third, of the country has recorded the highest rainfall in the country.  Mr. Gibba pointed out that as in the previous decade (the first ten days of the rainfall) rainfall was recorded in the early part of the decade, being the most significant in the eastern and middle regions of the country.

He went on to show that decadal totals (totals for 10 days) ranged from 0.4mm at Kaur to 37.9mm at Sapu.  On the other hand, he noted that in the western third of the country only Jambanjelly recorded a measurable amount of rainfall.  He deduced that this showed that the western third is yet to receive significant rainfall for humid agricultural operations.

In further analysis, Mr. Gibba noted that totals for the period May 1st to May 31st varied from a minimum of 1.7mm at Yallal in Baddibu to a maximum of 87.8mm at Sapu.  He added that deficits range from 0.7mm to 3.0mm and these were recorded only in the western third.  Deficit is the amount by which the rainfall is less compared with the long term mean.

Although Mr. Gibba would not be drawn into specifics he did note that in some parts of the middle and eastern third of the country, rainfall has enhanced soil moisture conditions to some degree, allowing the planting of cereals and the germination of sown ones.  He said it will continue to enhance animal feed (pasture) as grasses will grow.

Regarding the country as a whole, Mr. Gibba revealed that this year’s country average stood at 19.9mm compared to 4.6mm and 5.1mm during the same period last year and the long term mean respectively.  Mr. Gibba was asked whether the analyses indicated brighter prospects for rainfall this year and he answered in the positive.




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