Ghadafi Avenue Name Changed Public Demand Cited, But More to It Than Meets the
Eye

The Independent (Banjul)
NEWS
October 18, 2002
Posted to the web October 18, 2002

By Lamin Njie
Banjul

In a move that will not go down well with the Libyans, an avenue in Banjul that
was named after Colonel Muamar El Ghadafi has been changed to bear its former
name, Marina Parade.

In a ceremony held there to mark the change from Colonel Ghadafi Avenue to
Marina Parade on Monday, the city's Mayor Pa Sallah Jeng expounded on the
reason behind the name change, saying they were bowing to popular calls for the
reintroduction of the old colonial name, which had gained wide currency despite
the change two years ago. Mayor Jeng had said that following consistent public
complaints that the change was inconvenient usage the city council was left
with no alternative but to accept the wisdom in letting the public have it
their way by having back the old name. He described Marina Parade as a
historical street of colonial significance. Mayor Jeng lend himself as a small-
time repository of history when he launched into a brief history of the avenue
where colonial marine soldiers used to conduct parades and entertain the public
with live bands on Sundays and Thursdays.

'I personally believe that some of the old names should be maintained because
of their historical significance' Major Jeng added.

In a brief speech, deputy Mayor Mam Sait Njie called on Banjulians to unite and
work hard for the development of the city. A plaque was unveiled by the
Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands Malafi Jarjue bearing the old
name. Present were City Council officials and former Mayor Samba Faal and a
cross-section of the Banjul community.

Meanwhile sources have hinted that although diplomats from both ends would not
admit it openly a strain in relations between Libya and The Gambia might have
caused the name change, which is being seen as a protest gesture from Jammeh's
administration. Sources suggested that the thaw in relations was confirmed by
the cold reception of the Gambian delegation to Libya to mark the anniversary
of Ghadafi's Al Fatah revolution. They also intimated that Libya - Gambia
relation is from being warm to cordial after it was suggested that Baba Jobe
should not set foot in the North African country again for some unexplained
reasons. Jobe now the majority leader in the National Assembly is believed to
have had strong links with Libya.

Sources have also explained that Libya recently paid the debts of 15 African
countries to the African Union excluding The Gambia.

Notwithstanding this the new hospital in Bwiam named after Sulayman Junkung
Jammeh hospital who was the president's father was built with a Libyan loan of
$3 million.

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