Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 20/2008, 20 – 21 February 2008
Editorial
The Carnegie Affair
Clarification Needed
The Government has traded allegations against Carnegie Minerals Plc which
responded swiftly with a statement issued on 18 February 2008 denying the
allegations. Many issues need to be clarified for the interest of the public. Had
Foroyaa had the opportunity to speak to the Secretary of State yesterday, we
would have put forward the following questions:
1. The company has denied allegations of deception. It says that traces of
uranium are expected in such deposits but they are not commercially viable.
What is your reaction to that?
2. You are supposed to have been aware of this because the company claims
that you have been informed that traces of uranium had been observed and was
willing to pay for independent international industry experts to review the
Company’s mining data to assist with your understanding of it. Is that so?
3. Is this a temporary dispute or has the government already made up its
mind to permanently withdraw the licence of the company?
4. Has the government considered the implications of its actions,
considering that some companies may view your actions as hostile to foreign investment?
5. The RSN release claims that the agreement provides for arbitration. Did
you consider that option?
6. Foroyaa has spoken to an employee who claimed that the company employs
150 employees, apart from the casual labourers. He was very much concerned
about their fate. Has the government taken into account the fate of the employees
of the company?
Carnegie Minerals Plc Denies Allegations
Carnegie Minerals Plc, an Australian based mining company whose licence was
revoked by the government of The Gambia, has denied the allegations made
against it at a recent press conference convened by government officials. The
denial is contained in a release issued by RSN, the company news service.
According to Alan Hopkins, MD of Carnegie, ‘‘We strongly refute all charges
that the Gambian Government has levied against us. We have been operating in
The Gambia since 1999 and have always strongly adhered to the legal processes
as set out by the Gambian Government and our mining licence.”
“The company strongly refutes these allegations that the Company has been
commercially mining Titanium, Iron ore and Uranium from its mineral sands
Licence in The Gambia” stated the release.
The release went on to say “The Company wants to make clear that a component
of mineral sands (Ilmenite for which we are licensed to mine) is Titanium
and Iron oxide. We would also like to clarify that trace amounts of uranium
occurring in the Gambian mineral sands are usual for such deposits and cannot be
economically extracted and therefore have no commercial value. The Company
has previously notified the Gambian Government of this trace occurrence in its
previous information submission and that Carnegie was willing to pay for
independent international industry experts to review the Company’s mining data
to assist with their understanding of it.”
The Company further claimed: “The Company has provided to The Gambian
Government continuous full disclosure with each shipment since the start of the
project. This included all weights, Independent SGS laboratory results & pricing
calculations. SGS is one of the world’s leading testing and inspection
businesses.
“Under the agreement signed with The Gambian Government prepared under the
guidance of the Commonwealth Development Corporation Ltd of the UK, in the
event any issue arose in relation to the project, there is a clear pre-agreed
process which involves independent arbitration in London.”
Attempts to get the reaction of either the Secretary of State for
Communication and Information Technology or the Secretary of State for Works,
Construction and Infrastructure, yesterday, was unsuccessful. But we will continue to
do so.
See the next issue for more.
Fatou Jaw Manneh Amongst Four
Writers Honoured By Oxfam Novib/PEN
Fatou Jaw Manneh, a Gambian journalist based in the United States, was among
four writers and journalists honoured by Oxfam Novib/PEN, according to
reports published by a website. She was arrested upon arrival at the airport in
April 2007. She is now facing a prolonged trial, which has been transferred
from Kanifing to Banjul to Brikama and now back to Kanifing. The case is yet to
proceed, since the High Court decided in December, 2007 that the trial should
take place at Kanifing Magistrates Court.
The Oxfam Novib/PEN Award is an annual prize to honour writers and
journalists who were persecuted, arrested or jailed for their work. The other three
awardees who received their awards on November 25, 2007 are the Belarusian
writer Svetlana Alexievich, the Mexican writer Lydia Cacho Ribeiro and the
Egyptian Ekbal Baraka Ekbal. Svetlana Alexievich got the authorities up in arms for
her writing openly on the problems in Chernobyl. The Mexican writer
researched and published on child pornography networks. Ekbal Baraka Ekbal has been
fighting for freedom of expression in her country.
African Commission Pledges Collaboration with Journalists
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has promised to
work with African journalists in the reporting of human rights issues around
the continent. Addressing journalists from fourteen West African States, at a
human rights workshop for journalists last week, at the Paradise Suites
Hotel, Justice Sanji Monageng, Chairperson of the ACHPR said, “We want to
strengthen our partnerships with journalists groups to foster a culture of
empowerment of human rights defenders and civil society activities”.
The ACHPR Chairperson also said this collaboration enables the African
Commission and its partners to develop more effective and more integrated
programmes of assistance to encourage media excellence in reporting on human rights
issues.
She said: “But we also want to enable journalists and media houses to set up
networks for the exchange of information and consultation on issues of
common interests. We will therefore be working with journalists from across the
region to expand and improve human rights coverage”.
Justice Monageng said they will do this by encouraging and training
carefully selected media practitioners, providing the skill-base and incentives
necessary to make human rights reporting a priority across entire media community.
According to her, this will allow local media to reach millions of people in
their own language who would otherwise have little access to information
about their rights. Commissioner Monageng added that Article 9 of the African
Charter is dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of human rights
reporting in the African media.
“The media, as you know, has enormous responsibilities in today’s human
rights landscape. Strengthening democracy and basic human freedom, including
freedom of expression, depends largely on the reporter’s capacity to provide
reliable information through responsible and professional reporting,” said
Justice Monageng.
Dr. Mary Maboreke, the Secretary to the African Commission told the
journalists that they should help them by pointing out the things they are not doing
rightly.
Dr. Maboreke added that the reason why the commission is not popular among
the African citizenry is not that it is not doing its job but because it is
not widely covered in the African Media. As the commission prepares for its
Silver Jubilee in 2012, Dr. Maboreke appealed to journalists to extensively
cover their activities.
For the journalists who participated in the training, a network of human
rights journalists for West African was set up. Among the things they put in
place is a working group that will report back to the network within a month.
Groundnut Trade Season Declared A Total Failure
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
This year’s groundnut trade season could be described as a total failure and
a big blow to Gambian farmers who were expecting a booming trade season as
announced by the Gambia Groundnut Corporation. As announced, the official
groundnut trade season had stared on the 10th December, 2007. Since then many
buying points are yet to operate.
After almost two months since the official commencement of the trade season,
Foroyaa visited depots along the Central River and North Bank Regions to
assess the situation of the ground.
On Saturday 16 February, this reporter visited the Kuntaur and Kaur depots,
as well as some “seccos” in the area. Messrs Ousainou Drammeh and Bakary
Sanyang, ,depot managers at Kuntaur and Kaur, respectively, both declined to
comment on the trade season. Both said that they were informed from the top that
they are not obliged to talk to the press about the trade season; that
anything about the season should be tabled at their headquarters with the General
Manager. They said that they were given strict warning not to comment on the
groundnut trade.
The Kuntaur depot was empty and that no sign of any groundnut buying
activity was taking place there. All the six warehouses were as empty as they were
in December 2007. The depot was completely abandoned. This reporter observed
that one part of the depots has even been transformed into a football pitch by
little boys.
The Kaur depot was somehow busy with groundnut buying activities and that
truck wheel marks could be spotted around the depot. There were groundnut
shells scattered around the scale at the depot. However, the warehouses were all
locked but foot prints could be seen around the stores. The secco at Kaur has
been transformed into a groundnut decorticating centre. Dozens of farmers
were seen at the centre trying to decorticate their groundnuts. A farmer told me
that he decided to decorticate his groundnut to enable him to sell it at
weekly markets (“lumoo”), which, according to him, is more profitable. He
registered his disappointment with the season.
The Wassu secco was as empty as it was in December, last year, when this
reporter visited the place.
There was a groundnut selling point at a small village called Fass in Upper
Saloum, where three lorries were seen loading groundnuts for transportation.
I was told that the buying centre belongs to a private businessman. There was
no buying at Panchang and Njaw seccos as both were empty. At Ballanghar Ker
Nderi, the seeco was found isolated. Some Ballanghar farmers told me that
they have decided to sell their produce to Senegalese traders which is more
profitable than selling in The Gambia. They said that they have been patiently
waiting for their seccos to operate but to no avail. The farmers said that the
unoperational seccos also contributed to their decision to turn to the
Senegalese market.
Both depots at Kerewan and Barra were empty and as quiet as a grave yard. No
activity could be spotted, not even a single person could be seen to make
enquiries and that most of the equipment at these depots were rusting beyond.
Charge d’affaires Continues Testimony In Willy Joof Case
The criminal trial of the former Gambian Ambassador to France, Mr. William
John Joof, alias Willy, proceeded on Thursday, 14 February 2008, with the
Charge d’affaires, Mr. Moses Benjamin Jallow, giving more evidence.
Joof is standing trial before Magistrate Kayode H. Olajubutu of the Banjul
Magistrates’ Court, and charged with eight counts of criminal indictments. He
denied all the charges. The former ambassador is being represented by Lawyer
Lamin S. Camara.
He, among others, is said to have, on or about the 5 day of July to August
2002, while employed in the public service of the Gambia as Ambassador to
France, “corruptly received the sum of Euros 15,000.00 (fifteen thousand Euros)
from one Gerrard Nuss, in order to appoint him into the consular services of
the Gambia and thereby committed an offence.” He was also charged with
obtaining goods by false pretences, contrary to section 288 of the criminal code.
Meanwhile, in continuation of his testimony, the Gambian diplomat said that
after Joof’s letters, terminating the services of Messrs. Michel Coencas and
Michael Attias, were sent to UNESCO and other parties concerned, he (Jallow)
received a letter at the Permanent Delegation Office, which was housed in the
business of Coencas. He said he went through the letter and some of them
were unopened and alerted his financial attaché. He said they released the
evidence of a bank account in the name of the Gambia government. According to the
witness, he and the financial attaché are co-signatories to all the accounts
operated of which Joof which was an alternate signatory. But as he said they
were surprised that the said account with the Société Générale Bank existed
without their knowledge.
He said as the officer-in-charge of the mission, he then contacted the
Director of the said Bank and got evidence of an account that was opened and
closed by Joof; to which he (Joof) was the only signatory. According to the
witness, the Bank’s Director disclosed to him how two payments were made to this
bank i.e. a cheque of €5000 (euros) and €10,000 (euros).
At this juncture, Lawyer Camara objected to that evidence as being hearsay.
He argued that the evidence is not admissible, if it is intended to establish
the veracity of it. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr.
Emmanuel Fegbenle, said it was to establish the fact that the statement was made.
Continuing his testimony, Jallow said the Director of the said Bank also
attached a copy of the cheque for 5000 euros, but he said to date, the second
cheque. He also testified as to the Peugeot 607, which he said was initially
imported in the name of Mr. Joof, but it was later “confirmed to him that the
vehicle is now in the name of Mr. Michel Coencas.”
He said he has never seen this car at the Embassy, but has received an
insurance demand note from the Insurance Company where the car was insured; that
after contacting Mr. Joof, who was at the time the Permanent Secretary for
Foreign Affairs in Banjul, the accused told him to “Put them away.” The case
continues.
Magistrate Speaks Against Police Interference In Civil Matters
By Modou Jonga
Senior Magistrate E.F M’bai of the Brikama Magistrates Court has again
voiced out his objection to the Interference of the police in civil matters.
Magistrate M’bai said the police are not entitled and should not interfere in
civil matters.
The Presiding Magistrate made these remarks following the testimony of a
police officer, one Lamin Jammeh, attached to Brikama Police Station, who was a
witness in a civil suit, filed by one Buba Darboe against Ousainou Marreh.
Mr. Jammeh testified that the plaintiff had reported to the said police
officer, that the defendant had failed to pay for the cost of a cow he took from
him. Mr. Jammeh further said a repayment method of the cost of the cow was
agreed upon by the concerned parties at Brikama and that the defendant should pay
to him and he in turn would give the refunded amount to the plaintiff. The
police officer noted that the whole cost of the cow was not paid by the
defendant.
Subsequently, the presiding magistrate noted that the police are not debt
collectors and that civil matters are no go areas for the police. Magistrate M’
bai spoke against police interference in civil matters in a previous sitting
on 18 December, 2007. Those remarks were sparked off by the testimony of the
defendant, that he had paid an amount of money to the said police officer at
the Brikama Police Station to be collected by the plaintiff.
Western Region Councilors Sworn In
By Modou Jonga
The elected and nominated councilors of Brikama Area Council were on Friday,
15 February, 2008 sworn in at a ceremony held at the council grounds.
The elected councilors sworn in were Alh. Bolong L.K Jatta of Busumbala
ward, Hamadi Sowe of Mayork ward, Ms. Kaddy Camara of Bantanjang ward, Jammeh K.
Sanneh of Suba ward, Momodou M. Bah of Sintet ward, Sunkary Badjie of Somita
ward, Janko Ebrima Bojang of Gunjur ward, Fabakry B. Manneh of Lamin ward,
Sarja S. Gibba of Sanyang ward, Tumani B. Sambou of Wassadou ward, Lamin Haja
Bojang of Nyambai ward, Lamin Jarju of Marakissa ward, Mariama Bah Saine of
Banjulinding ward, Modou Ceesay of Kembujeh ward, Fatou Mam Nyassi, Lamin Tamba
Jammeh of Kartong ward, Ebra Faal of Sukuta ward, Omar Sowe of Pirang ward,
Ebrima Kujabi of Giboro ward, Alh. Sutay Jarju of Sibanor ward, Bakary S.
Sanneh of Kusamai ward, Alagie K. Kujabi of Kafuta ward, Ismaila Badjie of
Bullock ward and Kebba Bojang of Kanilai ward.
The three nominated councillors are in the persons of Lamin Waa Juwara,
Lamin Gassama, a youth representative, Aja Ndey Jatta and Chief Bakary Badjie of
Foni Bondali.
The swearing-in ceremony presided over by the Secretary of State for Local
Government, Lands and Religious Affairs Hon. Ismaila Sambou, was witnessed by
Governor of the Region Abdou FM Bdjie, who has served as chairman of the
interim management team for the BAC, District Chiefs, National Assembly Members
amongst others.
I hear the voices screaming- “Yes We Can”-Obama
By Alagi Yorro Jallow
Harvard University
To paraphrase Benjamin Hooks: If black people in America knew what white
people had in store for them, they would not be able to get out of bed in the
morning. This statement exemplifies what has for too long been white American
sentiment, a sentiment that of course still lingers in the hearts and minds of
some white Americans.
Is it necessary to be a good, articulate, and coherent speaker to be elected
president of the United States? This question seems to arise conveniently
when a person of colour is able to express him- or herself in a way that
appears homogenous with white society. The content of that person’s expression,
however, often loses our attention as we praise the black person’s exceptional
skills of articulation. Is anyone truly listening to the words and meaning of
the candidate? Or are Americans simply mesmerized by the black person’s
ability to express him- or herself in a way that is not intimidating or
frightening; in a way, I mean, that does not cause them to fear a sense of loss and
entitlement? Put differently, are Americans inspired by the content of Barack
Obama’s speech–by his message of hope? Or are they simply in awe of his
capacity for articulation and expression?
“You’re really not black.” These are often the words spoken to a person of
colour who speaks well. God help this person if he or she happens to be a few
shades lighter and is declared a redbone, an affectionate pejorative
eloquently handed down by the dark-skinned black American community. Yes, that’s
correct: Some black Americans, too, underestimate and sell short the members of
their race. But African Americans too have a responsibility in this malaise–in
this imbroglio over who has the right to own an articulation passport.
Here’s an example of the sort of thing that can happen when too much focus
is placed by the African American community on the eloquence of an African
American candidate. Suppose I am a black man considering a vote for Obama. Not
only is the question of his identity a problem; I also know that if he gets
elected, then the standards for excellence in articulation are about to rise. If
Obama is elected president, he will raise the bar so high that many of us,
Secretary Rice included, will have to resubmit our application for
consideration as articulate. Therefore, to protect my standard of living, and maybe that
of a few others, I will vote for McCain. Does this hypothetical situation
sound irrational, or ludicrous, or both? In my opinion, yes; it’s both
irrational and ludicrous that anyone would consider voting for McCain in lieu of
Obama because the person believes Obama to be too articulate. In reality, the
true issue at the centre of this discussion is how we as Americans move forward
on the question of race. For that matter, how do we move forward on the
question of gender? Maybe we don’t move forward on either account, but that would
be much too easy. Americans should know better than to let these and other
issues be ignored or overlooked. Who issued Obama’s African American
articulation passport? —the very citizens he is trying to serve and lead.
Some contend that putting this matter in writing is a continuation and
further unnecessary validation of an issue the country has already begun to
correct. Nonsense, I say. Are Americans, truly ready to elect a black person or a
female to the most powerful office in the world? If so, that would be an
indication that the country has truly progressed and healed and is ready to move
forward. Yes, I hear the voices screaming, “We should elect the most qualified
person for the job, without regard to skin, colour or gender.” I agree, but
that reasoning sort of went out the window with our current president. Nice
guy, though!
What I am suggesting, Americans, is that come this November, if either Obama
or Clinton is the Democratic candidate, you should prove that you’re ready
to move forward. You should prove that you’re ready to elect a woman or an
African American based not solely on their qualifications, but because they are
an African American or a woman. Obama and Clinton are both qualified for the
position. Therefore, to overcome this longstanding prejudice based on race
and gender, vote for the articulate or the skirted candidate and move this
country forward. Race and gender still matter and they always will. At least
until America sets an example for the world to see.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Life Is Not A Game
Part 7
With Amie Sillah
Alhajji Is To Travel
Alhajji is to travel to a neighbouring state. Ousman has now changed
countenance. He is less active. He is neglecting his duties. Alhajji’s jeep was not
wash. He complained vehemently. “Of late you’ve changed. Why didn’t you wash
my jeep? Didn’t you know I am to travel?” Alhajji was crossed. Ousman
started to make excuses and Aja backed him. “Of late he is very busy. You know we
always come home late. But Ous is trying you know? “Do you hear your wife of
late?” Alhajji asked “Yes! Yea! She is fine. She sends her greetings”. Ous
lied. Now he does not care about his wife. Ous is enjoying the bossoms of Aja.
Now they are shamelessly engulfed in lust. “I’ll be back on Tuesday morning”
. He left. The lovers were happy to be given more time together.
On Their Matrimonial Bed
Aja is now completely lost in lust. She is happy that Alhajji has gone on
trek and the girls at school. She was alone with her lover. She became less
vigilant. Aja and Ous were entangled in her matrimonial bed having good time.
The Unexpected
The main door was not locked. Alhajji came back, he forgot some documents.
He went straight to their bed room. He knocked Aja enquired who it was. “It’s
me darling. I forgot an important document”. Their hearts jumped out of
their mouths. Aja asked for some time. She lied. “I am coming. I am in the loo”.
She asked Ous to lay still. She took out a pan full of dirty laundry and
heaped it onto Ous. She then opened the door with her wet body and a towel
around her waist. Alhajji came in “Oh! What a big laundry!” “You are back? What
happened?” “I forgot my I’D. I cannot travel to the neighbouring state without
it”. “You are right”. Aja was still panicky. Alhajji took out his large
suitcase and put it on the heap and onto Ous under the heap. He searched and
found his I.D inside the suitcase. He wanted to pack it but Aja volunteered to
help. “Darling! You are already behind schedule. Don’t miss the 2nd ferry if
not you’ll arrive to your destination late. Go! I’ll pack it for you”. The
couple kissed each other and Alhajji left in a jiffy. Aja sighed and felt a
great sense of relief. She closed the bedroom door but not locked it. The
lovers congratulated their ingenuity. “We are bad! Bad! Bad! But darling! That was
too close!” They embraced and kissed each other. Ousman whistled and
squeezed Aja. They continued their good time.
Nadia Comes Unexpected
Nadia came unexpected. She went straight up to her mom’s bed room. What did
she see? The lovers were careless. They thought they have beat the world.
Nadia found her mom naked in bed with Ous making love to her. She exclaimed. “
What! Mom! Oh my God! This is disgusting! Making love with this thing on your
matrimonial bed? Mom you are a bitch! I disown you! “She turned to Ous with
scornful gaze. Ous quickly put on his pants. Nadia pulled his collar and pushed
him out of the bedroom. She scolded her mom. “This is the reason why you
raved and ranted over Zahra for asking Ous to help her take out a peck from her
eye. I could not get it man. You fussed over nothing. I am ashamed of you.
How is the bush boy in bed? You have disgraced your family mom. Allah will
judge you. I hate you mom! I hate you!” Nadia left the room in a great shock. She
went to their room. She cried her heart out. “Poor dad! He is a great man.
He really stands for his family all the time but look at his jezebel of a wife,
” Nadia sobbed.
Aja Guilty
Aja was stripped naked. She was exposed. She was shamed to death. She crept
into Nadia’s room. She felt ashamed and rejected. She broke down and went
down her knees. She apologized to her daughter. She sobbed bitterly. She asked
for love and understanding. “I am a woman. I have my needs. Your dad has no
time for me but his job. He did not touch me for six months. Forgive me. Don’t
tell your dad that will kill him. Let it be a secret between us”. Mom stooped
before her daughter. “You are a woman. You’ll get married. You’ll know what
I am experiencing”. Mom begged for understanding. Nadia got softened. “
Promise me it will never happen again”. “I promise”. Mom said through her sobs
Mom and daughter embraced each other and showed an amount of understanding.
Dad Comes Home
Dad came home in high spirits. Mom played the perfect hostess. She prepared
his delicacy, chicken groundnut soup with ‘Findi,’ Dad loved this dish with
plenty of fresh Vegs. Nadia remained unapproachable since the incident with
the lovers. She tried to cope with mom but she couldn’t. Everytime she tried
she pictured Ous making love to her mom. It hurts her heart. She became
unforgiving. She distanced herself from all family members. She became
unapproachable. This worried mom. Zahra is lively. She welcomed dad with opened arms.
Nadia acted the opposite. She was cool towards dad. She greeted him coldly and
left the dining. Dad was worried and concerned. Mom was worried. She sobbed
and indulged in self pity. Nadia hissed at mom. Dad enquired but have no
answer”. I have lost my appetite. How can I eat when my daughter is hurting in
pain? I have to find out”. Mom became more worried. Zahra was lost. She did not
know what to do? She felt the pain of her younger sister.
SOTOKOI/NJIE KUNDA LAND DISPUTE STILL UNRESOLVED
The land dispute between Sotokoi and Njie Kunda, all in the Niamina East
District, over an area of land called Konkoo Koto, is still unresolved as the
community of Njie Kunda accuses Sotokoi of preventing them from utilising the
local forest resources available in the said disputed area.
In an interview with this reporter, Pa Ebou Sarr, the Alkalo of Njie Kunda,
said that the issue over the said disputed fields started over seven years ago
when the District Chief, Alagie Kebba Touray, was said to have demarcated
the said area to Sotokoi when, according to him, the said area belongs to Njie
Kunda.
To back his assertion, he claimed that it was said to be founded by a native
of the village called Ranfam, who he said had utilised the said disputed
fields for agricultural production. He pointed out that he could remember that
in his youth the following people planted rice in the disputed land: Mam Horja
Tambadou, Jainaba Nyaroum, Musu Bateh, Mam Neneh Keita and Yassin Kannel, all
natives of Njie Kunda. He opined that this is an indication that the
disputed land belongs to Njie Kunda.
He stated that sometime in 2006 they were called to a meeting held at
Janjangbureh to discuss the dispute. The then Permanent Secretaries for Local
Government and Forestry, the Regional Governor, Amulai Janneh, and his deputy were
said to be present at that meeting. He stated that the Alkalo of Sotokoi
Kebba Beyai, Langkuru Danso, Banna Drammeh and Jonfolo Biyaye represented
Sotokoi, while Njie Kunda was represented by him (Ebou Sarr) the Alkalo, Alagie M
alick Sarr, the Imam, Momodou Juli Ceesay, Aja Hoja Ceesay, APRC Constituency
Chairman, Alagie Mbye Jah, and Alagie Abdou Begaye. The Alkalo of Pateh Sam
and Alagie Babu Mbye of Maka were also present.
He said when the chief was given the floor he said that he had divided the
said fields between Sotokoi and Njie Kunda but that he (the Alkalo of Njie
Kunda) never accepted that decision. The Alkalo then said when he was given the
floor, he told them that he would never accepted that decision because the
said place belongs to Njie Kunda. He also denied the allegation that his father
had signed any document granting ownership of the disputed fields to
Sotokoi. He said Alagie Bafu also acknowledges that the disputed land belongs to
Njie Kunda. The Alkalo then said in his narration he was then asked by the
Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Local Government, one Mr Cham what
could be done to solve the problem. The Alkalo said he told them that to solve
the problem they have to divide the disputed land between the two villages,
starting from the sign board on the high way to Njie Kunda. He said the
Permanent Secretary for Local Government at the time then authorised them (the Njie
Kunda people) to continue utilising the disputed land.
However, matters turned otherwise, according to the Alkalo. He claimed that
subsequent to the meeting at Governor’s office, one Babou Ceesay and Babou
Secka, who are young natives of Njie Kunda, were beaten, arrested and handed
over at the Jareng Police Station where they were detained. He said the day
coincided with the malaria day celebrations held at Mamutfana, where the Deputy
Governor of CRR, at the time, was approached about the arrest of the two
youths. The Deputy Governor, he said, advised them to meet at Sotokoi to discuss
the matter with the Chief and the Alkalo of Sotokoi.
According to the Alkalo of Njie Kunda, when they went to Sotokoi with the
intention of solving the problem, to their surprise the former Chairman of the
Janjangbureh Area Council, Malang Saibo Camara, told the gathering that the
Alkalo of Njie Kunda is faulty claiming that the said place belongs to
Sotokoi. According to the Alkalo of Njie Kunda they never accepted Sotokoi’s
ownership of the disputed land.
When contacted the Alkalo of Sotokoi Kebba Beyaye said the dispute has
ended. He said a document from the Department of State for Forestry has been
endorsed by the two villages giving ownership to Sotokoi. He said he therefore had
nothing to say.
When contacted for his opinion on the matter the District Chief of Niamina
East, Alagie Kebba Touray, said the dispute over the said area started since
the time of the former Chief Cunja Dandang Ceesay, when he gave the disputed
land to Sotokoi. He stated that when he took over as Chief he did conduct a
survey and identified places for the two communities which were endorsed by the
two communities. He said that the community of Njie Kunda violated that
decision by cutting down trees in the area allocated to Sotokoi as community
forest. He also denied the allegation that the former Chairman of the
Janjangburay Area Council did make such a remark to the Alkalo of Njie Kunda.
**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.
(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/
2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)
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