Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 68/2004, 26-29 August, 2004

Editorial

THE PRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE

History Being Made

The Gambia Press is proving that it is the Fourth Estate.  It is a common
saying that The Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and the Press constitute
the four pillars of a democratic society.
When the integrity of any of the pillars is under question the integrity
of the system is put into question.  When the security of any of the
pillars is put into question the viability of the whole system is put into
question.  This is precisely the situation of the Gambian media today.
Arsonists have destroyed the properties of Radio One FM, The Independent
Newspaper and Mr. Ebrima Sillah of the BBC.  They have injured staff.
They have threatened other media practitioners.
The media is under attack.  However, media practitioners have refused to
be pushed into the defensive. Instead of spreading punch they have decided
to hold meetings to discuss the way forward for the media.  They did the
same thing when the Media Commission Act came into force.  The media
practitioners were dissatisfied with the provisions.  They met and took a
principled stand.  Their maturity had to be reciprocated, leading to
dialogue with the executors of the Act.
In the case of the arson attacks, the media practitioners met to give
their solidarity to the victims.  They have written to the Head of State
and had been given audience by the National Security Council.
The Executive has heard the views of the media practitioners.  What the
Secretary of State for Information should do is to raise it at the level
of the Cabinet so that the government would issue a statement to denounce
the act and call for the cooperation of the public to nib the practice in
the bud.  He should then go on an excursion to see what actually
happened.  The business community should be encouraged to support the fund
raising activity by the media to replace the damaged properties of Radio
One FM, The Independent and Ebrima Sillah.
A culture of solidarity should replace the culture of silence and apathy.
Those who perpetuate such crimes should never be able to look at
themselves in the mirror.  They should see themselves as the real threats
to National Peace and Security.

BABA JOBE’S SUPPORTERS IN COURT
The Trial Of Jali Burama Mbai, Fama Kadang And Two Others A day before the
Jarra West by-election on July 1st this year, Jali Burama Mbai, Fatou
Fofana (Fama Kadang) Momodou Marong and Mr. Mballow were arrested by the
Police in Mansankonko for allegedly insulting some APRC supporters and the
head of state. They were detained for over a week and later granted bail.
They were later taken to court on charges of idleness and disorderly. All
the four accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
One Jarreh Jallow of Soma Angal Futa accused Jali Burama of insulting his
mother. Mr. Baba Jarreh Drammeh of Kani Kunda also accused Jali Mbai for a
similar offence.
In giving his testimony Baba Jarreh denied telling the Police that he was
insulted by Mr. Mbai. According to Baba Jarreh he went to the Police at
Mansakonko together with F.R.I Jammeh and Hon. Churchill F. Baldeh to
report that Jali Burama had gone to Kani Kunda using the P.A system and
threatening to revenge to the insults that he, Baba Jarreh was accused of
making against Jali Mbai. He said he had only told the Police to warn Mr.
Mbai not to insult him.
Fama was also arrested for the speeches she made on 25th June at the
coalition rally in Karantaba. She is accused of insulting the head of
state.
There is no complainant in this case and the Police Prosecutor did not
know who infact recorded the lady's speech. This made it very difficult to
tender the cassette as exhibit.
Marong and Mballow are also accused of similar offences.

INDEPENDENT ARSON ATTACK

“NO SUSPECT SO FAR”

No suspect has so far been identified in relation to the arson attack on
the printing press of The Independent Newspaper on 13th April 2004,
according to the SoS for the Interior Honourable Samba Bah. Responding to
a parliamentary question raised by the member for upper Saloum Honourable
Hamat Bah on Monday regarding the state of the investigations in to the
most recent arson attack on The Independent Newspaper, the secretary of
state replied by asserting that investigations are still going on and so
far no suspect or suspects have been identified.
However, this response by the SoS provoked a supplementary question from
the member who asked the SoS if he is aware that two members of the Gambia
Armed Forces working under the state guards by the name Corporal ”Sanna
Manjang” and the other by the name Corporal ”Sheriff Guissey” were
suspected to have been involved in the attack. But before the SoS could
take on to the floor to answer to the supplementary question, the speaker
of the house Honourable Sheriff Mustapha Dibba interjected by asking the
member to submit the question in another parliamentary question. But Hamat
Bah continued by asserting that one of the alleged attackers
Corporal ”Sanna Manjang” is said to have sustained injuries and was
undergoing treatment at the residence of the state guards commander, Major
Bajinka. He therefore asked the SoS to invite the owners of The
Independent Newspaper and further investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, as the member for Upper Saloum was speaking, nominated member
Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay was raising her voice and when given the floor
she asked the speaker to restrain members of the press present at the
Assembly not to report the matter as it was based merely on rumours. ”Ask
the press not to go and call the names of the people mentioned,” she urged
the speaker. However, the speaker said that it is left to the discretion
of the press to decide what to do.
The printing press of The Independent media house was the target of
arsonist on 13th April this year resulting in the complete burning of
their printing machine. The attackers who were armed with guns used diesel
fuel to burn the machine. The attack on properties and the threatening of
the life of journalists have increased in recent years with the recent
torching of the house of BBC Banjul stringer Ebrima Silla, culminating in
the attack on the press in the country.

National Assembly Approves D300m Road Project

The National Assembly has approved the loan agreement for the Mandinaba -
Soma road project between the Republic of The Gambia and the Arab Bank for
Economic Development in Africa amounting to D300, 000, 000 (three hundred
million dalasis). In tabling the loan agreement SoS Bala Musa Gibril Gaye
indicated that the loan is payable within a period of 27 years with a
grace period of 5 years commencing on the 1st day of disbursement. SoS
Gaye indicated that the loan will attract an interest of 2 % and that the
project closing date is 31st December 2008 and is expected to commence on
30th September 2004. SoS Gaye pointed out that this loan is part of the
fund for the construction of the Mandinaba - Soma road project and that
other loan agreements will be brought to the National Assembly for
ratification.
In seconding the motion, Hon. Adama Cham, member for Kombo North indicated
that the loan agreement should have been ratified during the first
proposed meeting of the National Assembly, which failed due to reason
beyond their control.  He pointed out that in road construction, there is
greater need to avoid pre-funding because the experience is that
contractors will start work and later withdraw from the contract.
On his part, the Majority Leader, Hon. Churchill Falai Baldeh, member for
Upper Fulladu West indicated that road construction is an important aspect
of economic development. He pointed out that there are many damages on our
road network and that the ratification of this loan will go a long way in
solving the dilapidated road condition in that area. Hon. Baldeh pointed
out that commercial vehicles cause a lot of damages on the highway and go
scot free. He asserted that there should be some sort of fine for damages
on the highway caused by commercial vehicles.
On his part, Hon. Edrissa Samba Sallah pointed out that the dilapidated
road condition in the country is a contributing factor to the high prices
of goods since the transportation cost for goods will automatically be
increased due to the road condition. Hon. Sallah indicated that the amount
of complaints they received from passengers, vehicle owners, and drivers
are disheartening. He argued that the road in question should not stop at
Soma but instead should proceed to Fatoto and the other one from Laminkoto
to Passamas.
On his part, Hon. Hamat Bah, member for Upper Saloum pointed out that to
construct the road from Mandinaba to Soma will cost US $ 35 million which
is not small money for a country like The Gambia. He argued that they can
construct roads but cannot maintain them. He pointed out that if the
Mandinaba - Soma road was properly maintained after its construction in
the late 50s, it would not have been in the state in which it is
presently. Hon. Bah pointed out that the road is so dilapidated to the
extent that Gambian people and even government officials travel to Basse
through the Casamance route. He stressed that this is not hearsay but he
personally saw officials travelling by this route. He concurred with Hon.
Sallah that the condition of the road is a contributing factor to the high
prices of goods. He said a bag of rice from Serrekunda to Kaur is D20
while to Basse is D45 and then stressed that if this transportation cost
is added to the cost of the rice, the price will be high in these places.
Hon. Bah argued that there is need to develop river transportation to cut
down on transportation cost and also save the road since the heavy cargoes
could be transported by river. Hon. Hamat Bah asserted that contractors
connive with consultants at the detriment of government. He challenged the
National Assembly Project Monitoring Committee to be effective in
performing their responsibility. Hon. Bah categorically pointed out that
the pre-funding for road construction was politically motivated, and that
it was a tactic employed by the APRC.
On his part, the Minority Leader and member for Serrekunda Central, Hon.
Halifa Sallah after raising the entire salient pointed that need
clarification from the Secretary of State pointed out that the emphasis is
on the longevity of the roads, which the road technical service authority
can do a lot to ensure. He argued that it is necessary to strengthen this
institution and make it effective so as to ensure that those mighty
transports that bring all sorts of goods in the country actually pay for
the maintenance of the road. Hon. Sallah indicated that proper assessment
should be done by our engineers to ensure that the type of vehicles that
will ply our road will be vehicles that will not destroy the road. Hon.
Sallah pointed out that such a move is very significant because without a
control system, we will be building roads and in few years they begin to
have potholes as we can see in many of our roads in town. Hon. Sallah
argued many new roads have been built but you begin to see all of them
having potholes. He stressed that that is not road building but wastage of
resources. Hon. Sallah also pointed out that the drainage system is a
significant element for better road network. He argued that the Banjul -
Brikama highway has no drainage system and that can obviously cause floods
internally and can at the same time lead to the erosion of the road. He
pointed out that absolute effort must be made to ensure that these
expensive roads are properly preserved and maintained. Halifa pointed out
that he cannot still understand why the drainage system for this
particular road is still not done and yet he said, ”we sing the slogan of
road building.” Halifa indicated that at this stage, he would point out
that the issue of road construction is not partisan. He asserted that it
is the responsibility of any government to deliver such service. He
pointed out that the loans are not paid by political parties but that they
are paid by the Gambian citizenry out of the national coffers. Hon. Sallah
pointed out that their role as National Assembly members is to assess
whether the money given to the executive has been put where it should be
put and whether we have achieved what we had set out to achieve.
On his part, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, member for Serrekunda East
indicated that the APRC has not inherited any road from the PPP government
other than the Banjul - Serrekunda dual carriage way and that of Soma -
Basse. He pointed out that thanks to the APRC government who has built all
these roads for the Gambian people, which helps to improve their socio-
economic advancement. He concurred with the member for Serrekunda Central
for proper drainage system.
On her part, nominated member, Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay pointed out there
is need for strategic planning before road construction takes place. She
argued that without such proper planning, NAWEC and GAMTEL could be seen
after the construction of the road, digging to put their pipes and
afterward they put only sand to cover the holes, which make the road ugly.
She criticized the two Senegalese contractors for not building a high
class road for The Gambia while in Senegal, they built first class roads.

MAN BRUTALISED BY MEN IN UNIFORM
One Alagi Jawo, a NAWEC worker for many years was brutally and mercilessly
beaten and his pocket emptied by people wearing soldiers’ uniform, on the
19th of August 2004 at about 2.00hrs Thursday.
This news alarmed the whole of Fagi Kunda where Mr. Jawo lives. Our
reporter later found Mr. Jawo and enquired from him exactly what had
transpired?
Mr. Jawo who looked visibly shaken by the incident repeatedly questioned
why him. He explained his ordeal in the hands of these men in uniform. He
said he took a taxi cab from Dippa Kunda at about 20.00 hrs, which took
him through the tarred road coming from Serrekunda / Sukuta main road
towards the Bakau / Serrekunda road linking to the Serrekunda Market. He
said it was at the junction that they found a man in full military uniform
standing right in the middle of the road. He said he told the driver to be
careful because these are security men. He said the taxi driver decided to
stop and the man in uniform came right to the driver and gave him a nasty
slap. Mr. Jawo said he was surprised by this action and he intervened and
asked them why as security officers they are doing this to a civilian.
It was at this juncture he said the other three men moved towards him but
not in uniform, seized him from the front seat and started beating him all
over his body, hitting him on his legs with their hard boots and hitting
him on his face and so on. He said many people came to the scene and
helped him to escape from these people. He also said he later realized
that his pocket was also emptied by the attackers.
Mr. Jawo said he later went to the paramilitary unit to report the matter
but was advised to report to the Bakau Paramilitary Barracks which he did
the following day. He said he was asked by the officers at Bakau whether
he could recognize any of the men and this, he said he could not because
as he said it was already dark. He said he and the taxi driver, one Mr.
Siaka could not recognize any one of the four attackers. He finally said
he went to a private clinic for treatment.
Meanwhile, armed robbery or day - light robbery is said to be on the
increase. The other day, one Jessica living in Kololi was severely beaten
by her attackers at least the same time as Mr. Jawo. Unfortunately for
them, they were caught by the security at the Senegambia Beach Hotel. What
is however not clear is whether bandits have laid hands on military
uniforms to camouflage as soldiers to rob people with impunity. The fact
that many people who converged at the scene of Mr. Jawo’s incident did not
attack the attackers in any way but simply separated them shows that many
people thought of them as soldiers instead of bandits.
The Police And The Security in general should be on the look out for
criminal elements wanting to misuse the uniform to rob law abiding
peaceful citizens.

FOROYAA maintains that with knowledgeable National Assembly Members,
coupled with a responsive and accountable executive, the people would
truly become sovereign.  The people need to know how their representatives
are performing.
This column is reserved for National Assembly Proceedings and Interviews
with National Assembly Members.


Third Sitting of the Legislative Session 2004
NAMs SCRUTINIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Audit of The Central Bank

During the question and answer session in the National Assembly on Friday
20th August 2004, Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh, Member for Jarra West raised the
following question regarding the auditing of the Central Bank: ”Mr.
Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs
inform this Assembly about the current affairs concerning the auditing of
the Central Bank and how soon would it be completed?” In response, SoS
Bala Musa Gibril Gaye asserted that on the 17th May 2004, Deloitte and
Touché of South Africa, started a re-audit of the financial statements of
the Central Bank of The Gambia for the financial years ending 31st
December 2001 and 2002. SoS Gaye went further to indicate that the bulk of
the audit fieldwork was completed on the 4th of July 2004. However, the
audit is not yet completed as a result of the non-receipt of some third-
party confirmations. ”The auditors and staff of the Central Bank,” SoS
Gaye went on, ”have been working closely to ensure that the confirmations
are received so that the audit can be completed as scheduled by end August
2004.”

Recovery Of The Monies Of The Depositors Of The Defunct Continent Bank

Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh raised the following question regarding the recovery
exercise of the defunct Continent Bank: ”Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary
of State for Finance and Economic Affairs inform this Assembly about the
recovery exercise undertaken with the auditors of the defunct Continent
Bank and the possibilities and furthermore, how soon will a payment
exercise be finalized to ease the problem of people whose monies are at
risk?” In response, SoS Gaye pointed out that the liquidation of the
Continent Bank is in progress. He said efforts are now being concentrated
on the recovery of debts through the courts. He indicated that as at date,
22 (twenty two) cases have been brought before the courts and judgments in
favour of the Continent Bank has been obtained in some of the cases. SoS
Gaye indicated that the amount so far collected from debtors is D13.20
million and that all sums collected from debtors are deposited in a
Continent Bank liquidation account held at the Central Bank. SoS Gaye
pointed out that this amount also includes proceeds from sale of fixed
assets as well as the balances of the Continent Bank held at the Central
Bank at the time of the liquidation. ”The balance on this account as at
16th August 2004 stood at D19, 456, 125.60 (Nineteen Million, Four Hundred
And Fifty Six Thousand, One Hundred And Twenty Five Dalasis Sixty
Bututs),” SoS Gaye posited. SoS Gaye asserted that after accounting for
mandatory payment of taxes, social security contribution payment to the ex-
staff and liquidation expenses, the balance should be just enough to repay
approximately 22 percent of the deposit liabilities, and that government
and the Central Bank of The Gambia are engaged in discussions on the
settlement of the rest of the liabilities.

Sidia Jatta, Member for Wuli West raised a question regarding the defunct
Continent Bank, which was identical to that of Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh. He
therefore decided to withdraw his question

Seizure Of Baba Jobe’s Assets

Halifa Sallah, Member for Serrekunda Central and Minority Leader raised a
question regarding an authentic copy of the order received from the
Security Council for Baba Jobe’s assets to be frozen and the
quantification of what has been frozen so far and how they are being
secured. (See Issue No. 67/2004)

Expenditure On July 22

Halifa Sallah again raised a question regarding the amount spent by
government on the July 22nd commemoration. (See Issue No. 67/2004)

Divestiture Programme Of Public Enterprises

Halifa Sallah raised the following question regarding the divestiture
programme for public corporations: ”Mr. Speaker, would the Secretary of
State for Finance and Economic Affairs indicate to this National Assembly
the divestiture programme for public corporations and how far the
government has gone to implement the programme with regard to NAWEC and
other public corporations?” In response, SoS Gaye indicated that studies
for the transport sector enterprises (GPA, GCAA, GPTC, GIA) which are all
under track 1 will commence in September 2004 and that studies on the
remaining track 1 enterprises will be conducted in the early part of 2005.
SoS Gaye pointed out that the divestiture of NAWEC would be determined
after the end of the sectors studies some time in September 2005. He
however pointed that the divestiture of GGC is ongoing and that the tender
for requirement of a Financial Adviser to prepare sale documentation and
assist GDA through the sale process has been launched with September 6th
as the closing date for receipt of bids. SoS Gaye highlighted that they
expect to announce the divestiture of GGC before the end of the year.

Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh raised the following question: ”Mr. Speaker, could
the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs inform this
Assembly about the ongoing sale, if any, of the following government
assets: GAMTEL, NAWEC, and GPA and whether in effect, the GPA is being
sold to an Arab businessman?” In response, SoS Gaye pointed out that the
divestiture programme is ongoing and the enterprises mentioned in the
question (GAMTEL, NAWEC and GPA) are classified under track 1 and this
means they are strategic and that sector studies would have been
undertaken to determine the most appropriate mode of divestiture. ”A
transport sector study,” SoS Gaye said, ” will be launched in September
2004 while GAMTEL and NAWEC will be studied some time next year. We are
not aware of any attempt to sell GPA to an Arab businessman.”

Sale of Kairaba Beach Hotel

Hon. Kemeseng Jammeh raised the following question in regard to Kairaba
Beach Hotel: ”Mr. Speaker, could the Secretary of State for Finance and
Economic Affairs inform this Assembly whether the Kairaba Beach Hotel was
sold to an Arab businessman, and how much government gained from the sales
in taxes, levies or shares?” In response, SoS Gaye pointed out that they
have been informed about the sale of Kairaba Beach Hotel to M. A. Karafi &
Sons Co. Gambia Limited through a letter addressed to the Commissioner of
Income Tax from the Managing Director of Kairaba Beach Hotel dated 17th
June 2004, which was received on 4th August 2004. ”This august Assembly is
further informed,” SoS Gaye, said, ”that the tax authorities are currently
pursuing the necessary steps to ensuring the timely payment of the hotel’s
tax obligations to government.”

Building Loans For Security Personnel

Hon. George Aziz, nominated member, raised the following question: ”Mr.
Speaker, would the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs
inform this august Assembly why plots of land allocated to security
personnel are not accompanied with a financial package to develop the
allocated land?” In response, SoS Gaye indicated that it is not the policy
of government to provide financial packages to civil servants including
security personnel to assist them in developing land allocated to them. In
fact, he said, in the past government used to operate a revolving building
loan scheme available to all civil servants. He however pointed out that
the above scheme has been discontinued for quite some time now due to
financial constraints.

The Paul Commission

CHEYASSIN SECKA CONTINUES

Continuing his testimony after being adjourned on Friday, the former
Attorney General and Secretary of state for Justice and National Assembly
Affairs, Pap Cheyassin Secka maintained that he has never applied for nor
was he allocated any official land. He admitted engaging in construction
at his Sukuta property plot No: 58 which cost him two million dalasis. He
said people called that Mansion, but it is big family house to him. He
started constructing that plot in 2001 after he left office, prior to
which he was living in another compound. He asserted that during his
tenure no construction has been done in that house except painting.
Pap Cheyassin revealed to the commission that in his land conveyance he
sometimes gives receipts to purchasers, but sometimes he does not. He said
prices are declared upon agreement with purchasers. He denied any favour
from any colleague in facilitating change of land use. He admitted that he
facilitated the change of land use but cannot remember the date. He
promised to furnish the commission with the information on how he spent
the properties, with the fact that an amount of property he made comes
from sale of properties. He sold over 160 plots of land.
He said his wife started informal business of plastic chairs renting up to
December 2002; that she was involved in the selling of tie and dye clothes
from Mali. He said his wife keeps a bank account but lettered in English.
He said his wife does not keep record of personal expenditure, but
expenditure on business; he said the wife did that by her brain or
sometimes her grand daughter. He denied contributing to the commencing of
that business, but gives money for uses and she uses it for business. He
said he cannot tell the earnings of the wife from that business.
Mr. Pap Cheyassin Secka told the commission to ask about his activities
during his tenure of office to avoid encroachment into his private life.
He said it is as if, he is singled out in asking beyond and before the
date he served the government. Justice Paul put to him that it is to his
advantage that they find truth and this apply to every one who passes this
commission.
Emmanuel Fagbenle also maintained that this is not an effort to single out
any one but they are trying to link your tenure of office and the life you
have after. Mr. Cheyassin Secka was ordered to furnish the commission with
the details of all official trips he made and per diem paid, documentary
evidence of purchases of Mercedes Benz, details of account at Arab Gambian
Islamic Bank from the day it was opened to December 31st 2002 and copies
of application for the change of plot P58 which was a farm turned
residential area.

Abdourahman Cole

Mr. Abdourahman Cole served as Deputy Permanent Secretary and Permanent
Secretary from 1998 at the department of State for Tourism and Culture,
Trade and Economic Affairs and Interior and Religious Affairs where he is
serving currently.
In giving his evidence at the Paul Commission, he said his monthly salary
with allowances is D13,000. He admitted when he was Permanent Secretary at
Trade that his responsibility was dealer of finance from 2002 - 2003. He
denied any involvement in award of contracts in all the departments he
served. He said he couldn’t remember being a member of the team that
awards contracts in those departments. He admitted having a school going
daughter, he was given a declaration form to write her name, the school
she is attending, the school fees he pays either monthly or annually.
He asserted that he started the civil service in 1974; that he was
allocated a plot of land number 72 in 1985 at Kanifing East layout, that
he started building that compound in 1982 and completed in 2001; that it
is a building of boys quarters. He revealed that he spent below D100,000
on that building.
Mr. Cole admitted that his wife has a developed property in Bundung, which
he said was developed from 1986-1992. He promised to furnish the
commission with the lease document of that plot. He noted that, the said
plot owned by his wife was given to the wife by her mother a long time ago
then undeveloped. He told the commission that his wife served the Central
Bank for 25 years, which served as security for her to be given D85,000
loan. He admitted having land in Brusubi but undeveloped. He denied having
any farmland, garden, and cattle and has never engaged in Agriculture at
all. He told the commission that he holds no trust for any family member
in the Gambia or abroad and no one is holding any trust for him. He denied
having any share or dividend.
Mr. Cole said he bought used furniture for his house apart from the new
beds. He said he bought a satellite dish from Senegal, also a gas cooker
and freezer, the two costing D8,000 from Gambia Electrical. Mr. Cole
further told the Paul commission that he bought Renault 9 in 1985 which
was later sold in 2001 at D7,000 by his in law. He said he bought a Ford
car BJL 3362 for D55,000. He promised to give the purchase documents of
this vehicle to the commission.
He revealed that he is banking with Standard Chartered Bank and IBC. He
promised to feed the commission with the statement of account from when he
was Deputy Permanent Secretary of Trade i.e. starting from 1998. He
maintained that he is not a signatory to his wife’s account. He said his
wife used to Bank with Standard Chartered Bank but now she banks with
Trust Bank. He admitted that he has never paid anything to her accounts.
Mr. Cole told the commission that he has never received a dividend or
contract. He never invested in insurance policies, no insurance and he has
no other car except his official car.
Permanent Secretary Cole informed the Paul Commission that he doesn’t
believe in jewelry, as a result he doesn’t buy any for his wife. He
maintained that no one is holding any account in his name, on his behalf,
his sibling or spouse. He said he has never taken a loan from any bank and
the government except 1 by 6. He denied ever taking bank over draft. He
revealed that during his tenure in office he travelled outside the Gambia
21 times. He asked the commission to give him chance within seven days to
furnish it with the amounts of per diem. He was sure that his average rate
of per diem is $500 and highest wouldn’t exceed $500. He told the
commission that he sometimes pays this into his account at Standard
Chartered Bank, sometimes he gives it as assistance to those who seek it
from him or on some personal expenditures.
He denied ever awarding any contract while serving Interior and Religious
Affairs. He said Interior awards contracts of ID card, passport, license
plates, Aliens card, uniforms and prison food supply. He said all these
contracts were awarded prior to his taking office at the department of
state for the Interior. He admitted that when passport were sort, the
interior re-award contract but this time via Gambia Public Procurement
Authority. He finally told the commission that he has no bank account
overseas, only when he was a student 1976-79 in the U.S.A. He said he is
not responsible of any one outside the Gambia.

Alh. Mam Njie Testifies

The Permanent Secretary department of state for Tourism, Mr. Alhagie Mam
Njie recently testified before the Paul Commission. Mam served at the
Department of state for finance and economic affairs as Chief Economist;
that he later moved to health department as Permanent Secretary and later
Interior and Religious affairs.
Mr. Njie told the commission that he has no source of income except his
monthly salary; that he is not a shareholder engaged in any business. He
admitted taking a loan of D40,000 from the government of the Gambia in
1996. The amount he said he spent on construction. He told the commission
that he receives gifts from friends and relatives. He said a relative who
is a Linguistic Professor in Dakar gave him D100,000 between 2001-2002
which he also spent on construction and also received D25,000 - D30,000,
D75,000 - D100,000 in 2003 and about D50,000 in 2002 from a friend Amadou
Samba, a businessman. He told the commission he made overseas trips but
could not produce the amounts of per diem and the number of trips; he was
given seven days to present to the commission details of the trips and per
diem. He denied engaging in any Agriculture. Under spouse, Mr. Njie said
she is a salary earner and also engaged in petty business of brokage since
1996. He denied having any joint account with his wife and has no idea
about her financial standing. Asked whether he has ever transferred any to
her account he answered in the negative. He said he started building in
1992 and finished in 2002; that the building cost him about D400,000 -
D500,000. He said it is a storey building with one bed room down, 3
bedrooms up. He admitted being allocated government land at around 1985-
86, but denied any allocation from 1994 to date. He asserted that his wife
has been allocated but he never helped her in the facilitation of the
process. He said that is an empty plot. He admitted having landed property
in Farato, which he said was allocated to him by villagers themselves, as
he was their adopted political father. Asked whether he is engaged in
politics he answered in positive by adding not like those at the National
Assembly.
He admitted buying a Lancer car at D150,000. He said he contributed only
D30,000 then the rest of the cost was paid by his wife. He told the
commission he bought his 0.9 KVA Generator from CFAO at an amount of
D5,000. He denied having any property in trust but told the commission his
wife is a trustee of a plot of land owned by their children located at
Kanifing layout and their family compound located at Buckle Street. He
revealed that his wife became a trustee because most of her family members
are living abroad. He promised to furnish the commission with documents of
the trust within seven days.
Mr. Njie remembered buying a bangle for his wife while on Hajj for $50 and
earring while on Umrah at D12,200. Mr. Njie denied having any foreign
exchange account and current account. He was asked how he received his
salary, he said through his bank account. Asked whether when he was Chief
Economist he was involved in issuance of tender, he answered in the
positive adding when the Permanent Secretary was not around. He said
during his tenure as Chief Economist he presided over tender of about 10-
15 contracts and has never received complaints from the tender board.
He asserted that while Chief Economist the contract of construction of
Denton Bridge, Feasibility study of the Barra - Kerewan road and many
others were awarded. He said during his tenure as Permanent Secretary at
the health department the construction of Soma Health Centre and
renovation of several Major and Minor Health Centres were also awarded. He
told the commission that he travelled to Egypt for the purchase of drugs
under the leadership of the SOS Health and to Pakistan to explore the
possibility of purchasing; to Malaysia he went on a Commonwealth meeting
and Germany where he attended a Tourist fair. He told the commission that
it was after the visit of the President that they visited there. He denied
supply of those drugs were as a result of protest. He told the commission
that while he was Permanent Secretary Department of state for health the
purchase of drug was not under him. He said Drug Revolvement Fund an
independent body was responsible for buying drugs.
Asked whether he has any children in school, he answered in the positive.
He was given a declaration form to write the names of the children, the
school they attended and the fee he has been paying since 1994.
He denied maintenance of anyone having an education outside the country.
He was finally ordered to submit the following details to the commission
within seven days.
Details of all official trips and the amount of per diem, statement of his
bank account, statement of the account of his wife, receipt of furniture
and the other materials, copies of letters of appointment, copy of
document of allocation of plot to his wife and minutes of GTA board
meetings where served chairman. Mr. Njie said some of the contracts are
World Bank ADB sponsored project, which invites tenders and award
contracts. He told the commission while Deputy Permanent Secretary Health
Alco and Julakay where his major contractors and at that time he had never
received any query of irregularities in any of the projects awarded, both
minor and major projects. He denied having any control over Tourist
Development Area (TDA) while serving as Permanent Secretary Department of
State for Tourism. He said TDA is directly under Gambia Tourism Authority,
which is an autonomous body. He noted that TDA lands are sold by GTA. He
admitted knowing of land sale at Brufut side but denied knowing of any
sale at Bijilo side.
Asked whether someone contributes to his accounts, he answered in the
negative. He told the commission that he has no foreign account in the
name of his spouse or siblings. He told the commission that his family
doesn’t travel outside the country regularly except for his wife who
visits the familt in Dakar.
He denied having any land in Kesser and Bijilo. He said he is not
developing any land and denied any acquaintance is developing any plot in
his name. He was asked since the period he served as Deputy Permanent
Secretary and Permanent secretary did he make any overseas trip, he
answered in the positive.

Momodou Abdou Cham

Momodou Abdou Cham Ag Permanent Secretary department of state Water
Resources and Environment from 2003 to date. He served as Assistant
Director Fisheries 1994 to November 1995. He was Deputy Executive Director
National Environment Agency from November 1995 to June 1997. Mr. Cham in
his testimony before the Paul Commission cannot remember his net salary as
Ag Permanent Secretary Department of state for Water Resources and
Environment, but he estimated his fix salary from D5,000 to D6,000. He
promised to furnish the commission within 14 days those with those
information.
He admitted maintaining a daughter outside the country. He said he is a
qualifier at SN Brussels Airline who takes care of her ticket. He pays her
school fees. He remembered after a UNDP sponsored trip to Havana, Cuba he
was given 900 hundred pounds as per diem out of which he paid her school
fees.
He admitted taking a loan from Trust Bank while his compound is given as
collateral. He promised to present the commission with documents of that
loan within 14 days. He denied having any dividend or shares. He never
writes treasury bills.
He admitted having children. He was given declaration to write their
names, the schools they attended and fees he pays since 1997, but said he
cannot; he was given 14 days to submit that to the commission. He told
commission he has another source of income different from his monthly
salary. He said he has a poultry farm at his backyard. He told the
commission that he started with 400 broiler chicks, which cost him D12,000
and last year he bought 350 layer chicks also at D12,000. He built a house
D3000 and their feeding per month costs D500. He cannot tell the
commission the amount he gets monthly from this, but presented the
commission with the statement of account of his poultry farm.
He admitted taking over draft from Trust Bank. He said he is banking with
Trust Bank and presented the commission with his statement of accounts
from 2002 to date. He was then ordered to furnish the commission with the
statement from 1997 to April 2000. He did not contribute anything to her
salary.
Asked whether he has ever been allocated government land he answered in
the positive. He said he applied for a plot in 1991 and was allocated at
Kotu and also at Sanchaba Sulay Jobe in 1975 - 84. He told the commission
he started constructing Sanchaba Sulay Jobe property in 1985. He also told
the commission he has undeveloped property at Jabang, which he bought for
D47,000 - D48,000.
He asserted that he bought a V boot Mercedes Benz BJL 5851 from Benin. He
presented the commission with customs clearance and was ordered to produce
either receipt or first insurance of that vehicle.
Cham denied registering any company in his name. He asserted that it would
be ridiculous to call him a shareholder when asked, what if someone call
you him a shareholder in a particular company. He was asked whether he
owned Cham & Associates Company, he answered in the negative.
He told the commission he bought dip freezer form Banjul Electrical at
D8,000, TV set D2000 and refrigerator from LG but cannot remember the
amount, all between 2001 to 2002.
Asked what was his responsibility whilst Assistant Director from 1994 -
1995 at Fisheries Department, he said he was responsible for the day to
day running of fishing plan, for seeing of two teams of researchers, the
staff, programme and project development. He denied that there is any
audit exercise going on at the fisheries department. He told the
commission that there is audit exercise going on at Water Resources and
Environment. He said this is due to certain irregularities in a particular
project, which was to dig wells in rural areas.

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