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Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.  99/2006, 13-14 November, 2006

Editorial
IS A NEW CABINET  NECESSARY?
Many readers were taken aback when they heard the announcement  that 
President Jammeh, who is yet to complete his term of office, had dissolved  his 
cabinet. Readers kept asking the question whether what the President had  done was 
proper or not. 
The constitution does give power to the President to  appoint or terminate a 
Secretary of State. Indeed section 70(3) of the  Constitution states that “the 
Vice President shall be appointed by the  President.” Furthermore, section 
70(5) of the constitution states that “The  office of Vice President shall 
become vacant on the termination of his or her  appointment by the President.” It 
is therefore clear that the President can  appoint and dismiss the Vice 
President at anytime.
Similarly, section 71(1)  of the Constitution provides that “Secretaries of 
State shall be appointed by  the President..” Furthermore, according to section 
71(4) (b) of the  Constitution, “The office of Secretary of State shall 
become vacant on his or  her appointment being revoked by the President………” Power 
to appoint or dismiss  Secretaries of State vests with the president and he 
or she can do that at any  time. 
The point at issue, however, is not whether the President has power to  
appoint or dismiss members of his cabinet or to dismiss his entire cabinet.  
President Jammeh has done this many times before without query and he may  continue 
to do so.
What many readers have been asking is whether by  dissolving the cabinet and 
appointing another he has constituted a new cabinet,  which shall continue 
after he has assumed office. The answer to this question is  in the negative.
It is clearly spelt out in section 71(4) (a) of the  Constitution that “the 
office of Secretary of State shall become vacant on the  assumption by a person 
of the office of President.” This means that as soon as  the President 
assumes office upon being sworn in all Secretaries of State will  lose their 
positions. In other words, the President will have to appoint a new  cabinet. In 
short, the cabinet that the President formed on Thursday 19th  October 2006 will 
automatically dissolve when he assumes office. This means that  the President 
must appoint a new cabinet when he assumes  office. 

NIA BOSS ASKED TO STAY AWAY
Last Friday, Foroyaa  received information that Mr. Harry Sambou had been 
sacked from the position of  Director of National Intelligence Agency and 
replaced by his deputy Mr. Hydara  who now acts as Director General. Though the 
information is yet to be officially  confirmed, NIA sources gave the same 
indication. The sources also indicated that  no reason has been reported.
Mr. Sambou was up to the foiled coup of 21st  March 2006, the Director of 
Operations at the Independent Electoral Commission.  Before his latest 
appointment he had earlier worked for the  NIA.

ANOTHER DEATH FROM THE GAS EXPLOSION
By Bubacarr K.  Sowe
Abdou Fadera, a 25 year old has been the latest victim to die from the  gas 
explosion, which racked the residents of Kanifing Estate.
Fadera died in  Dakar on Friday where he was rushed for further medical 
attention.
The  father, Saikouba Fadera described the death of his son as a great loss 
to their  family. “Abdou was my friend. He was very close to me,” the father 
said at the  funeral on Saturday.
Fadera’s death has raised the number of death from the  gas explosion to 
seven. The explosion occurred at the home of Ousman Njie on the  30th of last 
month, leaving eighteen with severe burns.
Abdou’s body was  returned from Dakar on Saturday and funeral services were 
held the same day at  the Kanifing Estate Mosque, after which he was interred.

BUNJA DARBOE AND CO TRIAL
Captain Wassa Camara Testified
By Fabakary  B. Ceesay
At the court martial at Yundum Barracks, the trial within a trial  continues 
to determine whether Captain Wassa Wassa Camara’s cautionary and  voluntarily 
statements should be admitted in evidence or not. Three witnesses  have 
testified for the prosecution to prove that the statements were made  voluntarily in 
the presence of an independent witness after the Captain, Wassa  Camara, was 
cautioned. On Thursday, Captain Wassa Camara entered the witness box  to prove 
that the statements were not made voluntarily and are therefore not  
admissible. In the last issue we started with the testimony of Captain Wassa  Camara 
and now continue with it. According to Captain Wassa Camara, late in the  
morning of 22nd March, WO2 Colley, now a Lieutenant, came with some officers  from 
The Gambia Armed Forces who were all dressed in camouflage. He said, he  could 
recognise one Malick Jatta and Mustapha Sanneh including some other  
officers. He said he heard Lieutenant Colley saying, “Open the cell, Captain  Camara 
is here.” He added that, when the cell was opened, Lieutenant Colley then  
handcuffed him at his back noting that he was moved into the conference hall. He  
said, he was blind folded and two soldiers held him by the hand, lifted him 
and  dumped him in a car. He said he thought he was going to be killed but he 
was  taken to the NIA complex. He added that at the NIA, he was asked to follow 
them  up to the reception. He said, he met several soldiers in camouflage and 
in black  uniform armed with individual weapons like AK47 rifles, PGL, RPG7. 
He noted that  the black uniform material is different from that of the Police 
Interventions  Unit (PIU). “That was the first time I saw that black uniform,”
 he said. He  stated that he was taken to an office where he met WO2 Tumbul 
Tamba, Lance  Corporal Malick Jatta, Mustapha Sanneh, Abdoulie Sowe, and others 
whom he did  not recognise. According to him, they told him that they did not 
take him there  for a joke; that he had to choose between death or to be in 
Mile Two Prison. He  said, he was told that Captain Seckan had told them that 
he is part of the  abortive coup. He said he replied that he did not know about 
anything and, so  could not be part of it. “They said to me, death or alive, 
choose one.” He said  at that juncture, Mustapha Sanneh, butted him on his 
back and he fell on the  floor still in handcuff. He said he was severely beaten. 
He said some of them  used their rifles to hit him while others kicked him. 
He said some of them  stamped him. He explained that WO2 Tumbul Tamba said to 
him that they are not  joking with him. “I said again, how can I be part of 
something I don’t know  about.” He said, WO2 Tamba then ordered Mustapha Sanneh 
and Ousman Jatta to  stand by and that all of them cocked their rifles. “They 
said to me, this is  your final warning, if you don’t accept that, you are 
part of it, you will be  killed instantly. Then I complied. He pointed out that 
he sustained a cut on his  knee, buttocks, a wound on his leg and on his back. 
He said he is feeling pain  on his chest and sides. He said after he complied 
he was taken to the reception  and later to Mile Two.
He said in the morning of 22nd March, Lieutenant  Colley, with other soldiers 
including prison wardens, came and took him to the  reception and then to the 
NIA. He said that time, he was not blindfolded. He  said at the NIA, the 
soldiers were at the same place armed with weapons of all  kinds. He asserted that 
along the corridor and on the ladder leading to the  stairs, soldiers were 
standing everywhere with their weapons. He said at the  panel, Colonel Lang 
Tombong Tamba and IGP Major Ousman Sonko were seated at the  extreme end of the 
panel with some armed soldiers. He added that, one Lieutenant  Mathew, 
Lieutenant Musa Jammeh and WO2 Tumbul Tamba were all present. He also  added that, the 
panelists were, Hydara, Abdoulie Sowe, Lamin Cham, Ceesay and  others whom he 
cannot recall. He pointed out that Abdoulie Sowe told him not to  forget about 
his compliance of the previous night and that the instruction  remains the 
same. He noted that, Sowe brought a piece of paper for him and told  him that, 
those written words are what he had said earlier. He said, at that  juncture, 
one Baba Saho, an NIA officer, came and gave him a hard slap, saying  to him, “
You are an intelligent officer, but you either comply or we kill you  here. He 
added that, Abdoulie Sowe, also reminded him that there is no joke  there and 
asked him to look on the table. He said, on the table, there was a  broken 
tooth, a hammer and blood stains. He said he was warned to be careful  because 
some people were there before him and that those things on the table are  
examples. He pointed out that, Abdoulie Sowe was ordered to record his statement  
and he was taken to another office, with Sowe, Private Demba in camouflage,  
Mustapha Sanneh in black uniform and another soldier in camouflage. He said all  
of them were State Guard. He said that Mustapha Sanneh told him, “Look 
Camara,  we are batch mates, but today will be your last day.” He said, Sowe brought 
some  forms and writing papers and asked him to copy exactly from that paper. 
He said  after he had copied and signed, Lamin Cham came in and told Sowe 
that the  independent witness will not be a problem because he had called 
somebody to come  on 23rd March. He said he was later taken to the reception by 
Private Demba and  others, where he was handcuffed and he joined a vehicle.
He said he met WO2  Alpha Bah with his hand handcuffed at his back and they 
were taken back to Mile  Two. He narrated that on the 23rd March, he was 
blindfolded, handcuffed and  taken to the NIA complex. Upon arrival at the NIA, he 
said, he was taken to the  conference hall, where he met the same officers, IGP 
and the CDS. He said, as he  was seated an armed officer at the entrance of 
the hall behind him cocked his  gun while he was answering questions. Captain 
Camara said he was told to accept  that he was discussing certain issues with 
Captain Yaya Darboe and that he is  his friend. Camara said he told them that, 
Yaya is not his friend but that they  only know each other in the job. He said 
one of them told him he and Yaya  attended the same training in Ghana. “Then 
one of them struck me with the butt  of a gun and I fell on the floor, they 
started kicking me at my sides, but  Colonel Tamba ordered them to stop.” He 
said he was told to accept that he had  certain discussions with Captain Yaya 
Darboe. “Then one of the soldiers told me,  Captain Camara, do you forget what we 
told you, comply or die instantly.” He  added that, the soldier behind him 
cocked his gun and a live round fell from the  chamber of the gun and that 
soldier held the round and showed it to him. The  Soldier told him that they were 
not joking to him, and told him that they are  not joking. He said he then 
accepted and that WO2 Tamba and others were ordered  to take him to the reception 
and then to Mile Two Prison. According to him, on  the 24th March, Lieutenant 
Colley and others opened his cell, handcuffed him and  he was escorted by 
state guards to the NIA. He said he was taken to the room  where the panelists 
were seated and that he was subjected to the same questions  he was asked the 
previous nights. He pointed out that he was tortured before  Sowe was asked to 
record his statement, this time, in a different office. He  said, he was with 
Sowe, Private Demba and other soldiers, and all of them were  in camouflage and 
had weapons. He said Sowe then brought papers and asked him to  fill his name. 
He said Sowe brought other papers and told him that they were the  seven (7) 
Statements, of Captain Yaya Darboe. He said Sowe told him he had  nothing to 
do, but to comply. He said he wrote his statement and signed it. He  said, he 
heard Sowe saying “The independent witness will be here.” He said, he  only 
saw the witness in the court when he testified. He said in the morning of  the 
26th March, he was taken to the NIA complex in handcuffs and taken to where  
the panelists usually sit. He said upon arrival at the panel, he was surprised  
to find a “Television man” seated where the accused person normally sits. He  
said, he was ordered to sit opposite, facing the “TV man.” He said, after 
the  recording, he was taken back to Mile Two.
He explained that, on the 27th  March, at night at around 11 pm, he was taken 
to the NIA complex. He said, he  spent about two hours at the reception 
before he was taken before the panel. He  said, he was again asked about certain 
questions pertaining to Captain Yaya  Darboe’s statement. He said, he was then 
moved to the reception, where he met a  soldier who was dressed in black 
materials who said to him, “You are the  officers we are looking for.” He noted 
that, before he uttered a word, Corporal  Malick Jatta slapped him. He said, the 
other soldier held his head and started  to knock it against the wall. He said 
he was still in handcuffs, and that  soldier continuously hit his head 
against the wall until he was bleeding. He  said, he was so weak that, the soldier 
squeezed him behind a table. He pointed  out that, Malick Jatta took him away 
from that soldier and suddenly, Malick  Jatta kicked his leg off the ground and 
he fell on the floor on his chest. “I  was then beaten mercilessly and I was 
bleeding from all parts of my head, mouth,  buttocks and legs.” He asserted 
that Mustapha Sanneh stamped him and told him,  “Look Camara, we did not yet 
finish with you.” He said WO2 Tumbul Tamba, ordered  them to stop beating him. He 
added that, Sowe was ordered to record his  statement at the early hours of 
the morning of the 28th March, 2006. He said, he  was with Sowe and two armed 
officers who were dressed in camouflage. He pointed  out that, before he could 
write his statement, he was confronted with Captain  Yaya Darboe’s statement. 
He said they asked him how many marabouts he has and  whether he has informed 
them prior to the coup. He said he told them that he  used to have one 
marabout, but as at the time of the interview he had three but  he denied having 
informed any of them about the coup. He lamented that he was  later taken back to 
Mile Two. He said at Mile Two Colley and another soldier  took him out of the 
vehicle he said he was unable to walk because of the  beatings. He said his 
handcuff was loosened, noting Colley helped him to sit  down and he was 
searched. He said, he was later dumped in his cell. He said  Lieutenant Colley tried 
to help him with a mosquito net, but a soldier asked  Colley to let him die. He 
said in the early morning, senior prison officers,  including prison 
Director, David Colley, came to see his condition. He said,  they sympathised with 
him, but they could not do much. He added that, after the  officers left, a 
medical officer, dressed in white came and gave him  paracetamol, shaved his head, 
dressed his wounds, applied ink to the bruises on  his face and he undressed 
to treat the wound on his buttocks and the legs. He  narrated that after almost 
two weeks, he was complaining of his health to  Lieutenant Colley and prison 
officers. He said an Egyptian doctor from the RVTH  was later brought to 
attend to him. He added that the medical doctor attached to  the prison visited him 
from time to time. He explained that from March to May,  he had complained 
about his health and that, he has informed Lieutenant Colley,  Alieu Ceesay, who 
are in charge of their security, the prison doctor and others  about it. He 
said it was not until in June, when he was taken to RVTH and was  treated by a 
doctor, but that, he could not identify the doctor who attended to  him on the 
ward he was taken to. He added that he was given prescription papers  which 
he gave it to Corporal Wharf to give it to his wife. He said, his wife  told 
him, that she gave it to his brother Alassana Boto Camara to buy the  prescribe 
drugs. He added that his brother bought the drugs and gave both drugs  and 
prescription paper to Corporal Wharf. He said, after taking those drugs, he  felt 
a little relieved. He added that he was taken to RVTH by two soldiers with  a 
medical personnel from Mile Two. He said, the Egyptian doctor told him to be  
referred back to him if he has another problem. He lamented that, he made  
another complaint to the authorities but before he was taken to the Eygptian  
doctor, it took another two months. He admitted that, he was later taken to the  
doctor and he complained of dizziness, pain at his back and sides. He said it 
 was on a Friday, and they were told that it was late but they could go back 
on  Monday. He complained that, he was never taken back to the hospital again, 
even  though, he complained to Lieutenant Colley and the medical Sergeant at 
Mile Two.  He narrated that last week he told Corporal Wharf and medical 
Sergeant even  though, he could take his medical papers to court, they could take 
him to the  hospital and also to keep his prescription and reference papers. He 
said that he  was told those are for their files. Captain Camara concluded by 
saying that he  had never experienced dizziness, or pain at his back and 
sides, saying “I was  very strong.” He added that he had never set eyes on the 
two independent  witnesses, Tijan Bojang and Babou Loum. “I first saw them at 
the court in the  witness box,” he concluded.
At that juncture, Lamin Jobarteh, the defence  counsel, wanted the accused 
person to show the court the wound or scars on him,  even if he is to be 
undressed before the court. But the Judge advocate, Justice  Agim, ruled that 
undressing the accused in Public is a violation of his rights  of privacy and his 
human dignity. He then decided that, the matter will be  addressed after the 
sitting of the court. 
Cross Examination by DPP, Emmanuel  Fagbenle 
Emmanuel Fagbenle asked him whether he believed Ndure Cham was  involved in a 
coup plot or whether he believed there was a coup attempt. He  replied that 
he did not believe Ndure Cham was planning a coup nor was there any  coup plot. 
Fagbenle asked him, which time he was arrested, what time he arrived  at Mile 
Two and what time was he taken to the NIA. Captain Camara replied that  he 
was arrested between 11 pm and 12 pm, but could not tell which exact time he  
arrived at Mile Two, but that he was taken to NIA in the early hours of 22nd  
March. Mr Fagbenle asked him, how long did it take him to write his statement  
and whether he wrote anything on his statement on the 23rd and the 24th March.  
Camara replied that he could not tell how long it took him to write his  
statement and that he made a record of what they asked him to write. The DPP  
asked him, whether he chose the option of life and whether, he wrote that he was  
innocent. Captain Camara replied that he chose to live than to die, and that 
he  could not write that he was innocent because he was told to accept the  
instruction or die. DPP asked him whether, he had a meeting with anybody. He  
replied in the negative. The DPP asked “Did that mean you are innocent?” He  
replied, “Very well.” Fagbenle, asked him whether he had said on the TV that he  
was forced and tortured to make his statement. He replied that, he was 
ordered  to say that he was not forced or tortured or else he would be killed. He 
was  asked, whether, when he was being recorded on the TV there were security  
personnel present, he replied, that there were several of them, including IGP  
Major Sonko and CDS Colonel Tamba. He said he was directed to repeat what he 
was  forced to say in his statement. The DPP asked him whether it is correct 
that, he  carefully explained on TV about his knowledge and involvement in the 
coup,  Camara replied that, he said exactly what he was instructed to say and 
that if  he deviated from what they wanted him to say he would be killed. 
Fagbenle asked  whether it was true that he had an accident while on duty at the 
provinces and  was admitted at Bansang Hospital, he replied that that was true. 
He also asked  him whether it was true that he once had a fight with one 
Sergeant Barry, he  replied, “That was not a fight but a struggle.” Fagbenle asked 
him, if he is the  head of the Military Police, he replied that he is not 
presently, but he was the  head.

THE DEPARTURE OF INDEFATIGABLE 
MODOU MANNEH
By Ousman  Sillah
The life of an indefatigable community servant has again been eclipsed  by 
the unavoidable death. However, death can only rob the life of a good human  
being, but it cannot obliterate the fond memory of the good deeds of such a  
person from the minds of those left behind who have deep sense of appreciation  or 
gratitude. 
Modou Manneh, a.k.a Bro, has departed from our midst but will  never be 
forgotten because of his sense of community commitment and sociable  nature which 
had led him to amass not material wealth but a wide circle of  affectionate 
friendship from his family and the community.
Modou Manneh was  born in 1949 in Dippa Kunda. He had attended Serekunda 
Primary School and  Latrikunda Junior Secondary School (L.K). Bro did his 
childhood with brothers  and friends in the environs of Dippa Kunda, Serekunda and 
Latrikunda. After  completing his secondary school education, Modou Manneh first 
started work at  the then Water Works Department under the tutelage of his 
late father who was  the Pump Attendant for Kombo the St. Mary division. He later 
left to board the  Merchant ships as a sailor for two years which took him to 
many European  countries, such as, Italy, Greece, Spain, etc. Following his 
return home the  late Bro worked as a summary clerk for the Cooperative Union 
for two years.  Modou Manneh was one of the first bus conductors who started 
the GPTC. He again  left for Cote D’Ivoire and later settled in Nigeria where he 
established a  successful business running a carpentry workshop and employing 
many  Gambians.
Back in The Gambia, the late Modou Manneh became politically active  and was 
serving as a militant of PDOIS. He was also fully involved in the  management 
of the Mass Sosseh Shipyard Football Club and later the Bakau United  F.C.
Modou Manneh was one of the most instrumental initiators of the  Serrekunda 
West sports Association (SWESA).
In order to professionalise his  involvement he became a trained sports 
journalist together with the likes of  Peter Gomez and Moses Ndene and had inspired 
others like Pa Assan Badjan into  the profession.
Modou Manneh was one of the co-anchorpersons of that famous  yet short lived “
Sunday News Hours Programme” of Radio 1 FM together with George  Christenson, 
Modou Thomas and Seedy Ceesay.
According to his brother Imam  Abdoulie Manneh ‘Modou was a devout Muslim and 
a selfless and good human being  who was so helpful to both his family and 
society. His departure is a great loss  and has created a vacuum that is very 
difficult to fill.” Another younger  brother Alieu Manneh, described Modou as a ‘
respectful and socially responsible  person who never neglects family and 
social duties.’
As a testimony of the  community’s acknowledgement of the late Modou Manneh’
s sense of social duty,  relatives, neighbours, friends and acquaintances from 
a broad spectrum of  society thronged the mosque and the cemetery to convey t
his departed colleague  and relative to his final resting place. The sporting 
fraternity, especially  Football, and colleagues in the political experience 
and religious and community  leaders were well represented.
Modou Manneh died on the 26th October in the  United kingdom after a brief 
illness and was flown back to The Gambia and laid  to final rest on Saturday 
11th November 2006 at the Dippa Kunda cemetery. He is  survived by two wives Yamu 
Ndow and Sainabou Jobe and two girls and two  boys.

TREASON TRIAL DEFERRED
TO AVOID COINCIDENCE WITH COURT  MARTIAL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The treason trial of Tamsir Jassey, Alieu  Jobe, Omar Keita and Demba Dem, 
has been adjourned last Thursday, the 9th of  November 2006 to avoid the civil 
court sitting coinciding with those of the  court martial.
One of the defence counsels, Lamin S. Camara, who is also  representing the 
accused persons at the court martial, submitted that they  cannot attend the 
proceedings of both cases when the dates are the same.
The  High Court Judge, Justice Anin-Yaboah, ruled that she will discuss the 
matter  with the Chief Justice in order to avoid a clash of the proceedings. 
She  therefore adjourned the trial to Wednesday, the 15th day of November  2006.
The accused persons are standing trial for their alleged involvement in  the 
March 21st abortive coup. They have, since then, pleaded not guilty to the  
charges preferred against them.

PA MODOU FAAL ELECTED TO WORLD  BODY
By Annie Gaye
Foroyaa interviewed Mr. Pa Momodou Faal the Secretary  General of The Gambia 
Workers’ Confederation Executive Secretary General. Mr. Pa  Momodou K.B Faal 
has been elected at a Global Union Congress during its founding  congress as a 
member of the general council of the newly established  International Trade 
Union Congress (ITUC). 
Foroyaa: What is the significance  of the formation of the ITUC?
B.G: The coming together of the 27th World  congress of the World 
Confederation of Labour (WCL) on the 31st of October 2006  and that of the 29th World 
Congress of the International Confederation of Free  Trade Unions (ICFTU) of 31st 
October 2006, for the founding congress of the  International Trade Union 
Congress gathered approximately 2, 000 delegates  representing 166 million 
members of 368 affiliated national trade union centres  in 305 countries and 
territories from Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and the  Americas, held at the 
Messezentrum, Wien Congress Centre in Vienna, Austria,  from the 1st to 3rd November 
2006 in order  to:.
-         admire their vision  and determination
-         celebrate  their commitment to unity in diversity
Ours is a history in which the  international development of Trade Unionism 
is interwoven with the history of  the International Labour Organisation. At 
every step in the evolution of the  ILO, Trade Unions pushed for action, 
defending it in difficult times and  strengthening it at every opportunity.
The WCL and the ICFTU and their  predecessor organisations were always united 
in a shared commitment to freedom  of association and the ILO which has the 
right to organise has been and must  continue to be a cornerstone for our Unity 
of Action and work together. Today,  we salute the struggles of the Trade 
Unionists on the African Continent, heroic  Asia and the Americas. Let’s get 
together, show our solidarity. The struggle for  Freedom is also struggle for 
Social Justice, for stability, for security, for  peace in our communities. 
The ITUC and the ILO response, is the decent work  agenda and a fair 
Globalisation. They are both founded on values that respect  human dignity.
In conclusion we are committed  to:
-         Ensuring that growth  delivers decent jobs and  wages
-         Reducing for gender  equality
-         Strengthening  standards
-         Re-enforcing  tripartism and social  dialogue
-         Reaching out to  others
-         Safe-guarding the  fundamental right to freedom of association.
That’s our common agenda,  around which to organise, lobby, develop 
partnership and push for change.
I  see our efforts lining up in ways we might never have imagined; the 
political  forces, the social development actors, the civil society voices and  
international organizations are all coming together around decent work for a  
decent life. 
We have to significantly influence the global agenda.
The  movement and the moment have arrived.
Sociologists might call it a tipping  point.
The man or woman on the street might say it is a wake up call.  Politicians 
might feel it is a call to attention. But I would call it an  enormous 
opportunity; an opportunity for us to join forces and deliver together  on the top 
political demand of women and men everywhere; the human aspiration  and the 
fundamental right to the dignity of work and dignity at work.
We have  that opportunity for us and for all workers of the world to come 
together in  unity.
Our energy makes the ITUC a potent force.
I feel empowered by  Foroyaa’s question.

THE GAMBIA, 2ND LARGEST ADB CREDITOE
By  Bubacarr K. Sowe
Musa Gibril Bala Gaye, Secretary of State for Finance and  Economic Affairs 
has revealed that the Gambia is the Second Largest Creditor to  the African 
Development Bank (ADB). Mr. Gaye made this statement at the opening  of a 
National Project Implementation Workshop held recently at the Kairaba Beach  Hotel. “
Total debt owed to the Bank Group represent almost 27% of the overall  
external debt of The Gambia, and thus ranking the African Development Bank Group  as 
The Gambia’s Largest Creditor,” the SoS said.
He added that from 1974 to  2005, ADB has approved fifty-two operations in 
The Gambia amounting to US $287  million. According to Mr. Gaye, 84 percent of 
this net commitment are from the  confessional window of the African 
Development Fund (ADF), 9 percent from the  African Development Bank and the remaining 7 
percent from the Nigerian Trust  Fund (NTF).
“As at end of December, thirty four operations have been  completed and 
fifteen are ongoing while three have been cancelled. By end of  2005, The Gambia 
owed an amount of about UA114.05 million to the African  Development Bank Group, 
with the African Development Fund accounting for around  99.3% (UA113.12 
million), while remaining 0.7% (UA 0.75 million) is owed to the  Nigerian Trust 
Fund,” Mr. Gaye said.
Speaking at the occasion, the ADB’s Loan  Accountant, J.H. Ghandi said the 
purpose of the training was to familiarize  Senior Officials of the project, 
implementation agencies and other stakeholders  with the policies and the 
procedures of the Bank. Mr. Ghandi added that the  objectives of the workshop are to 
improve dialogue and coordination with project  implementation agencies and; 
disseminate the bank’s documentation and best  practices and program 
development. About 40 participants attended the training  and certificates were awarded 
at the end.
 


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