Issue No. 97/2004, 9-12 December, 2004 Editorial TIGHTENING THE NOOSE ON THE NEWSPAPER (AMENDMENT) BILL 2004 Part 2 In the last issue we started to analyse how the amendments of the Newspaper Act serves nothing more than creating obstacles for the publication of newspapers and broadcasting. The bond, which is a colonial legacy is to be further increased from D100, 000 (One hundred thousand Dalasis) to D500, 000 (Five hundred thousand Dalasis). If the Newspaper (Amendment) Bill is passed and becomes law, its enactment will effectively cancel all bonds that have been executed by all the existing newspapers, except government newspapers. A new section 7 A would read: "(1) Any bond given and executed under section 7 of this Act in the sum of one hundred thousand dalasis is hereby cancelled, and no newspaper or broadcasting station shall continue to be printed, published or operated, as the case may be, with that bond unless the bond of five hundred thousand dalasis as required under section 7 has been given and executed. "(2) No newspaper or broadcasting station shall, after fourteen days of the coming into force of this subsection, be printed, published or operated, as the case may be, without the bond of five hundred thousand dalasis having been given and executed with the Registrar General." Even the colonial government took a more progressive posture than the Jammeh regime. When the colonial regime enacted the Newspaper Act in 1944 imposing a bond of 100 Pounds on newspapers, it excluded newspapers that were already in existence. Section 14 of the Act states , "The provisions of section 7 and 8 shall not apply to any newspaper regularly printed and published in The Gambia prior to the 1st January, 1943." Penalties have been increased from D10, 000 to D50, 000 and from D50, 000 to D250, 000. See next issue for Part 3 INTERVIEW WITH HALIFA ON DARFUR AND THE COALITION FOROYAA: What was your mission to Darfur? Halifa: The Pan African Parliament has been mandated under Article 18 of the protocol establishing the peace and security council of the African Union to monitor the activities of the council in terms of conflict management and resolution. In the second ordinary session of the Pan African Parliament, a resolution was moved by a Pan African Parliamentarian from Uganda on the crisis in Darfur. The resolution was adopted and the bureau of the Pan African Parliament was mandated to constitute a task force to investigate the situation in Darfur with the view to make recommendations for the consideration of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union. The bureau made the mover of the resolution the head of the delegation and appointed another five men and two women to constitute the delegation. The members of the delegation from Uganda, South Africa, Guinea, Gambia, Libya, Mauritania and Rwanda were selected in our individual capacities and not on the basis of country. The task force is simply to perform the duties assigned to it and will stand dissolved once it submits its report to the Pan African Parliament. FOROYAA: Can you tell the reader some of your findings? Halifa: There is limit beyond which I cannot go since I am duty bound to report to the Parliament. In fact, my colleagues assigned me the responsibility of preparing the report. In confidence I cannot touch on the report until it is tabled for discussion and adoptio n in the next session of the Parliament. FOROYAA: Can you give an idea of what the mission did and accomplished? Halifa: We went to Addis to receive a briefing from the personnel of the Peace and Security Council. We received copies of all the ceasefire, humanitarian and security agreements between the government of Sudan and the armed opposition. We were informed of the AU omission and institution in Sudan before we took off for Sudan. In Sudan we spoke to the Speaker of the Sudanese Parliament, the Parliamentary Caucus for Darfur, the members of the Pan African Parliament from Sudan, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, Internal Affairs, the Ministers who represent Sudan in the Abuja talks, the governments of the three Darfur states, commissioners, representation of the armed opposition in Darfur, the people in the camps for the Internally Displaced Persons. The AU has six sectors where the ceasefire commissioner operates. All the sectors have military observers of the ceasefire and their protections. We visited all the sectors in El Fasher, Nyala, Kabbabiya, Al Junaynath, Abeshe and Tine. We spoke to the military commanders. We left Darfur with a comprehensive understanding of the situation. In fact, we even participated in influencing the reversal of the decision of one of the armed opposition who announced earlier that they were withdrawing from the Abuja talks. This is the first mission of the Pan African Parliament. All of us were conscious of the importance of our mission. History will be the judge of its merit. FOROYAA: What next? Halifa: I am in a dilemma. There are requests for me to follow the Abuja talks but we are now in a budget session. I need to make a Balancing Act so that contributions can be made nationally and internationally. In fact, the Nelso n Mandela Foundation is also to hold a seminar in Ghana on the 9th to harness knowledge to address the challenges of development, our budget session is very important. Moreover, the state is proposing to negate the Media Commission from the constitution. Nonetheless, I am referring to this to show that the continent is ready to harness its talents to shape the future. I am confident that the future is bright. FOROYAA: In your absence, it is indicated that the Coalition is in a state of uncertainty about leadership. Is that the situation? Halifa: For over six months representatives of opposition political parties at the highest level have been meeting and discussing. If the discussion was meaningless I am sure they should have been over by now. Moreover, if there were no movement forward I myself would have withdrawn a long time ago. FOROYAA: Fatou Jahumpa has said that the debate to get a presid ential candidate from abroad or not shows that the members of the proposed Coalition lack confidence in each other. Halifa: Those who have elementary knowledge of the Gambian constitution would know that there cannot be any such debate in our meetings. FOROYAA: What do you mean? Halifa: My point is simple. Section 62 (1) of the constitution states that, "A person shall be qualified for election as president if he or she has been ordinarily resident in The Gambia for the five years immediately preceding the election." A person staying abroad cannot be a candidate in the coming 2006 presidential election. If this were a debate in the Coalition I would have clarified the issue a long time ago. FOROYAA: It is claimed that the leader of the NRP said that that was a sticking point. Halifa: What is attributable to him is the opinion that the presidential candidate should be outside the p olitical parties. The discussion at the moment is on method of doing things. We have not reached the period of relying on our agreed principles and procedures to take decision on how to select candidates. There can be no sticking point because every issue is still being discussed and each person's opinion is respected. In fact, we have adopted the most difficult procedure in making decision that is the principle based on consensus based on unanimity. Each party has a veto power. None can impose a decision on the other. Despite this we have agreed on more things than what are still subjects of discussion. I have emphasized that the negotiation is being done on a new footing. If it succeeds it will be a unique example for Africa. This is not a personality led enterprise but a programme led one. No person or party will fear domination or marginalization on the basis of ideology, tribe, or any consideration if conclusion is reac hed. NO ONE CAN BE DETAINED AT THE MAXIMUM SECURITY WING OF MILE II… Says SoS Samba Bah By Abdoulie Dibba The member for Wuli West, Hon. Sidia Jatta raised the following question: "Mr. Speaker, would the Secretary of State for the Interior and Religious Affairs indicate to this National Assembly whether anyone can be detained at the Maximum Security Wing of the Central Prisons without any Warrant of Committal issued by the Commissioner of Prisons?" In response, SoS Samba Bah pointed out that the answer to the question is NO. SoS Bah asserted that no one can be detained at the Maximum Security Wing without a Warrant of Committal issued in that respect. In the same vein, Hon. Sidia Jatta raised the following question regarding the arson attacks on the Independent Newspaper premises, the BBC reporter, Ebrima Sillah and the shooting of Mr. Ousman Sillah: "Mr. Speaker, woul d the Secretary of State for the Interior and Religious Affairs indicate to this National Assembly how far the state has gone on its investigations of the arson attacks on the Independent Newspaper premises, the BBC reporter, Ebrima Sillah's residence and the shooting of Mr. Ousman Sillah?" In response, SoS Samba Bah pointed that the police have since visited the scenes of these crimes and recorded statements. He asserted that the investigation is still ongoing. In a supplementary question, Hon. Jatta asked how soon will the investigation be completed because he said, there are investigations going on for two year or so and yet incomplete. In response, SoS Bah said that he cannot give a timeframe. Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh indicated to the SoS that with the revelations made by Hon. Hamat Bah regarding the two Army officers, "what is the stance regarding the officers?" SoS Bah said the inves tigation is ongoing and he cannot say anything until the investigation is completed. METAMORPHOSIS OF THE DEBATE ON THE ESTIMATES By Abdoulie Dibba Events of tremendous importance are taking place at the National Assembly regarding the annual estimates of recurrent revenue and expenditure with development expenditure for the fiscal year 2005. According to the agenda issued from the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, the estimates was to be laid on the 29th November 2004 by the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs which was turned down by deputies as reported earlier. The Assembly resolved for the presentation to be done on Wednesday 1st December 2004 and that debate on the estimates will take off on Monday the 6th of December 2004. On Monday 6th December 2004. However, the debate was postponed till Tuesday based on the proposal of Nominated Member Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay supported by more than two- thirds of the Members of the Assembly. When this reporter contacted some NAMs to find out why they are dragging on the debate of the estimates, some pointed out that the practice with bills is that the SoS responsible for it will conduct a meeting with the ruling party deputies for any omission or addition before it is presented to the National Assembly but that has not been done with the estimates and that they cannot justify 97 % salary increment for SoS and others while the entire civil servants receives 10 % salary increment. Due to this fact, they prefer to abandon our claim of D2, 000 house rent allowance. On Tuesday however, sources close to the National Assembly informed this reporter that in the morning, the NAMs of the ruling party held a meeting in the National Assembly with the SoS for Finance and Economic Affairs but could not come to terms. According to the sources, the meeting w as then transferred to state house and up till about 6 pm the National Assembly could not have a quorum. When the debate resumed, Hon. Churchill Baldeh, Kemeseng Jammeh and Halifa Sallah contributed. See subsequent issues for details. Fourth Meeting of the Legislative Session 2004 NAMs SCRUTINIZING THE EXECUTIVE On the Department of State for Local Government & Lands National Assembly members are the eyes, ears and mouths of the people. This is precisely the reason why National Assembly members raise the concerns of the people in the form of questions and contributions during the Adjournment Debates. The efficiency of a National Assembly member is determined by the questions raised and his/her contribution during Adjournment Debates. During question and answer session, the member for Sami, Hon. Idrissa Samba Sallah raised the following question regarding the budget estimates of Kuntaur Area Council: "Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands indicate to this august Assembly, the 2005 budget estimates of Kuntaur Area Council?" In response, SoS Manlafi Jarjue pointed out that Kuntaur Area Council is in the process of preparing the 2005 budget estimates. On his part, the member for Jarra West, Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh raised the following question regarding Mansakonko Area Council's liability to NAWEC: "Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands inform this august Assembly as to what efforts are being made by the Mansakonko Area Council to settle their D6 million liability to NAWEC to avert the massive disconnection of public standpipes in Soma and its surrounding communities?" In response, SoS Manlafi Jarjue pointed out that Mansakonko Area Council has paid to NAWEC the sum of D222, 227.66 (Two hundred an d twenty two thousand, two hundred and twenty seven Dalasis sixty six bututs). He pointed out that the Council is now making efforts to settle the balance of arrears by installment. "As a matter of fact," SoS Jarjue said, "the amount owed to NAWEC by Council is D4, 285, 176.86 (Four million, two hundred and eighty five thousand, one hundred and seventy six Dalasis eighty six bututs) and not D6, 000, 000.00 (Six million Dalasis) as stated by the National Assembly member." Asked by Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh as to how much have agreed to pay by installment SoS Jarjue pointed out that the amount is D222, 227.66 (Two hundred and twenty two thousand, two hundred and twenty seven Dalasis sixty six bututs). On his part, the member for Niamina West, Hon. Ahmad Samba Sallah, raised the following question regarding the number of projects embarked in Niamina West by the Janjangbureh Area Council: "Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands explain to this august body how many projects have the Janjangbureh Area Council embarked on in Niamina West constituency in recent years?" In response, SoS Jarjue pointed out that during recent years, Council had re-dug 5 (five) wells in various locations and constructed a new courthouse in Sambang Village in the Niamina West constituency. Meanwhile, he said, plans are already in place for the provision of more development projects based on community request. In a supplementary question, SoS Jarjue was asked whether the community has to request before development projects are embarked upon and SoS Jarjue responded in the affirmative. Further asked whether the areas where development projects are not embarked on was because the community failed to make a request, in response, SoS Jarjue pointed out that they made request but that the Council have priorities. On his part, the member for Lower Fulladu West, Hon. Musa Baldeh, raised the following question regarding the amount of money collected by Brikama- Ba Area Council Sub-Treasury: "Mr. Speaker, would the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands tell this august body how much money was collected by the Brikama-Ba Area Council Sub-Treasury from January 2004 to date." In response, SoS Jarjue indicated that Brikama-Ba Sub-Treasury under Janjangbureh Area Council has collected the sum of D257, 862.00 (Two hundred and fifty seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty two Dalasis) from January 2004 to date. In another question, Hon. Musa Baldeh asked about the number of cattle heads taxed in Lower Fulladu: "Mr. Speaker, would the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands inform this Assembly how many heads of cattle were tax ed in Lower Fulladu West in the year 2004?" In response, SoS Jarjue indicated that the number of cattle taxed in Lower Fulladu West in the year 2004 amounted to 11, 216 heads at D3.00 each, which amounted to D33, 648.00 (Thirty three thousand six hundred and forty eight Dalasis). In a supplementary question, the member asked how much of this amount goes back to the cattle owners in the form of services? In response, SoS Jarjue pointed out that the question is a completely new element which require a new Parliamentary question. ON THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR EDUCATION The member for Niamina Dankunku, Hon. Kebba B. Ngett raised the following question regarding the building of teachers' quarters: "Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Education inform this august Assembly when the Department of State for Education will build quarters for teachers in the provinces?" いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい