Issue No. 65/2004, 16-18 August, 2004

EDITORIAL

WHY ATTACK JOURNALISTS?

On Sunday the 15th of August 2004 the home of Mr. Ebrima Sillah was
attacked and his valuable properties destroyed. There is claim that letters
have been addressed to Mr. Sillah and Mr. Jawo the Chairman of the Press
Union to threaten journalists.

A review of Mr. Sillah’s report over the BBC reveals that his last report
was on the threatening Locust Invasion. This is clearly in the National
interest. Even though the members of the prospective Alliance/Coalition
held a press conference the external radio stations have not given the
content full coverage.

Infact, the Gambian Media has been preoccupied by the court cases regarding
the Youth Development Enterprise and the current commission of enquiry. The
results of the auditing exercise at the Central Bank is yet to fully reach
the media practitioners. What then are the threats geared to achieve. Who
is responsible for these threats? Would someone bent on creating chaos to
destabilize the regime go to the extent of harming those who are
scrutinizing the regime by destroying their properties and causing them
bodily harm? This would be hard to believe.

On the other hand, would anyone interested in protecting the regime attack
journalists to try to silence them.

Clearly such activities raise doubts regarding the stability of the country
and does undermine the integrity of a state.

In either case, it is a no aim situation for the terrorists. The terrorists
should therefore rethink their strategy. Nobody can now blame Baba Jobe. No
terrorist action is taking place because of what the press has said about
him. If the contents of the letter sent to the Chairperson of the press
union is to go by the culprits are claiming to have sympathy for the
President. This imposes a burden on the state to capture and dissociate
itself from the campaign of terror against media houses and practitioners.
In the mean time, those who are bent on terrorizing their citizens to
silence and submission should know that that era has passed. This is the
era for open debate on national issues and not for some to be first class
and others second class citizens depending on which side of the state they
stand. They are not scaring anyone, they are simply tarnishing the image of
what they represent; if they are even discovered their families will live
in internal shame and regret. FOROYAA will try to get documentaries of the
truth and reconciliation commissions elsewhere to show it at home for
general information. This may help the unthinking mind to become rational
and the brave hearted to become just.




ARSONISTS ATTACK AGAIN

By Surahata Danso

On Sunday the 15th day of august 2004, there was yet another mysterious
attack on the home of a Gambian born BBC reporter Ebrima Sillah at Jamburr,
Kombo South, between the hours of 2.30am- 3am. According to Ebrima Sillah
some assailants removed the wire gauze on one of the windows of the sitting
room. They also removed the louvers glass of the window poured fuel into
the sitting room and lit it.

Mr. Sillah further added that he was asleep in his bedroom. When the fire
started the smoke and the heat woke him up. He indicated further that he
jumped through the window to the backyard and then into the main yard. He
reported that the assailants ran out of the compound through the gate. Saw
the assailants came with a transport, which they packed, on the way to
Latri-ya.

Upon further questioning, Ebrima Sillah said he has no suspects in mind but
he could remember that sometime ago unknown Gambians wrote a letter to the
BBC. The letter urged the BBC to warned Ebrima Sillah to change how he
reports on the Gambia or be taught a lesion. Mr. Sillah also added that
this particular letter was taken to the IGP. Recently a similar letter was
written to Demba Jawo the President of GPU in which Jawo was told that very
soon his fellow journalists would have their lessons.

Among the articles burnt were his furniture, Laptop, Video, Television set,
Video Cassettes, Audio Cassettes, Journalism and other household
belongings. Mr. Sillah finally said that he believes that the actors are
cowards since they only act in darkness and run away.


Halifa On The Attack Against Ebrima Sillah

FOROYAA interviewed Halifa Sallah on the attempt to burn down Ebrima
Sillah’s home. He was asked how he sees the incident, especially when one
considers the case of Radio 1 FM, The Independent and now Ebrima Sillah’s
house.

Halifa: The pattern is clear. It is gas oil and fire. These have been the
weapons of the terrorists.

The letters they have sent are instructive. We should however, bear in mind
that the letters can give leads but sometimes they are sent to mislead. All
letters must be studied and taken for their worth.

FOROYAA: How is this problem to be handled?

Halifa: Democracy is about convincing people. Fascism is about coercing
people. Those who have open minds to be convinced are democratic minded
people. Those who submit to coercion submit to fascism. The question before
every Gambian is whether to submit to fascism because of fear or defy
fascism and live in an open society. My view is that those who abandon
their principles because of the threat of death were not committed to them
in the first place. Gambians should never allow a few persons who hide in
the dark to hit and run to be seen to be so powerful as to suppress the
vast majority to silence. Injustice becomes strong only if the just bows
down to its dictates. Media practitioners should give each other
solidarity. An alternative government should promise to mop up such pockets
of terrorism and make every Gambian a patriot who loves his or her country
and people and hates to subject them to terrorism even if they differ with
them. In short, if such practices continue without the state stepping in it
should be clear that the regime is incapable of safeguarding the national
security of some sectors of its population. Such a regime is unfit to
govern.

FOROYAA: What advice do you wish to give?

Halifa: We should acknowledge the threat but should not become alarmists.
Terrorists want people to be in a state of alarm. People who hide around
corners for fear of being hit. No person is immune to death. No one should
ask for it. We should just live our normal lives and leave the terrorists
to hide in the dark and live their abnormal lives. Our lives have a future.
They have no future. The era of fright is no more. This is the era of
empowerment of the people. Few individuals can never dominate an
enlightened and organized people. I hope young people will text this slogan
to each other, that is, a few tyrants cannot dominate and intimidate an
organized people.”



Teachers Complain

Some teachers who visited our office have complained of the refusal of the
Department of State for Education to pay them double shift allowance for
the month of July 2004. They said that during President Jammeh’s Meet the
People Tour this year, parents appealed for schools to be closed earlier so
that children can help their parents on their farms.

Schools were initially scheduled to close on 21st July. However, schools in
Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6 were subsequently asked to close on 30th June.
According to the teachers who came to our office, three-quarters of schools
in these regions were unable to respond positively simply because teachers
and pupils have to get prepared for final examination, which determines
promotion. They said that most of the teachers were in their school
conducting examinations, marking papers, entering report forms and so on up
till the 14th July. They pointed out that they were not informed that their
July allowance would be paid until they went for their pay for the month of
July, which they considered unjustified. They also opined that this is no
encouragement to teachers who are far away, particularly teachers in
Regions 5 and 6. They said they were disappointed with the Gambia Teachers
Union for its inaction on the matter.

When FOROYAA got in touch with the President of the Union he explained that
they have been inactive in pursuing the matter because the teachers do not
have a case. He further explained that the allowance was for double shifts,
which they were asked to stop after 30th June. Since there were no double
shifts in July there could be no allowance, he argued.

When this was put to the teachers they pointed out that as it was
impractical to combine the two shifts and remain effective, they in fact
continued with the double shifts. They argued that combining two shifts is
ineffective because it leads to overcrowding since would mean bringing 90
pupils together in one classroom. They further argue that it is ineffective
because it would mean combining two levels, such as Grades 5 and 6. The
called on the education authorities to reconsider their position and pay
them.

At the time of going to press, attempts to reach the permanent secretary
were unsuccessful. Further attempts will be made to get the views of the
department.



The Paul Commission

By Abdoulie G. Dibba and Abdou F.B. Boye

SITTING OF WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST 2004

Momodou Nai Ceesay

Testifying before the Paul Commission on Wednesday, Momodou Nai Ceesay
indicated that between 1994 to May 1995, he was working with the
Immigration Department as Director of Immigration. He pointed out that from
May 1995 to October 1995 he served the Gambia as consul General in Hong
Kong and that from October 1995 to May 2000 he was deployed to Immigration
as Director General. He indicated that from May 2000 to January 2002 he
served as Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands. He pointed out
that from January 2002 to date, he has held no official position. He
acknowledged receiving an assets declaration form, which he filled and
returned to the commission. Mr. Ceesay indicated that as Director of
Immigration, he was receiving between D3,000 to D4,000 per month and that
as Consul General, he was receiving D13,000, taking into account the
exchange rate of the dollar at that time. He indicated that there was not
much difference in salary when he came to the Immigration Department for
the second time because he was absent for only 5 months; so the salary was
between D3,000 to D4,000. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that his emoluments as
Secretary of State are as follows:

Year 2000, his total emolument was D85,000; and that in 2001, it was
D104,869.84 and in 2002, D22,32.07 since he served for only one month in
2002.

Continuing his testimony, Mr. Ceesay indicated that during his time as
Director of Immigration or as Secretary of State, he had no other source of
income apart from his emoluments and the income generated from the rent of
his Kotu East property. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he generated D60,000 from
his Kotu East property between 1996 to 1998. He pointed out that in 1995,
he cultivated peanuts and harvested 6 tonnes, which he sold to GGC and
earned D17,000. He indicated that the person renting his property was a
British national who left in 1998 and therefore from 1998 to 1999, he
received no additional income other than his official emolument and this
continued from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he does not
receive any cash gift from anyone, whether inside or outside the Gambia,
during the period under review. He said he does not engage any person to do
business for him and that he does not receive any dividend from any
company, whether within or outside the Gambia, during the period under
review.

Mr. Ceesay indicated that as Director of Immigration, he bought a Treasury
Bill worth D5,000 for his children and again as Secretary of State he
bought the same amount for his children. He pointed out that his wife was
working as Secretary at the Department of State for Health and she managed
her salary on her own. He said the salary of his wife does not come to him.
Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he travelled outside the Gambia several times
as Director of Immigration and also as Secretary of State for local
government and lands. He said he received per diem during these trips and
that he made some savings from some of those per diems. He however pointed
out that those savings were never done at the bank; that instead, he spent
them. He pointed out that he has got his travel per diem with him as
Secretary of State. In case they (the commission) need his travel per diem
as Director of Immigration, he can as well fish them out. He was given 10
days to furnish the commission with all his travel per diem as Secretary of
State as well as Director of Immigration. In responding to a question from
the chairperson of the commission, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that the maximum
number of days spent during those trips was 14 days and the minimum was 4
days.

Continuing his testimony further, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that when he left
the immigration department and was appointed as Secretary of State, he was
paid all his entitlement from government, which amounted to D108,022.33 and
that when he assumed office as SoS, he took a loan of D70,000 from Trust
Bank. Mr. Ceesay further said, in 2001 “I took another loan from the same
bank amounting D180,000 which am still servicing.” Mr. Nai Ceesay went
further in his testimony to indicate that the pension paid to him as from
31st May 2000 to date amounted to D45,000. Mr. Ceesay further testified
that during this period his only bank was and is still Trust Bank. He
pointed out that he has no foreign account and questioned the rationality
of having a foreign account while in the Gambia. The chairman told Mr.
Ceesay that some Gambians have offshore accounts. Mr. Ceesay indicated that
for him, he would not do that. He pointed out that he has a current and
savings account with Trust Bank. At this stage, Mr. Nai Ceesay was asked by
the commission to submit his statement of accounts from July 1994 to 31st
December 1998 because the one submitted was from January 1999 to date. Mr.
Ceesay indicated that his understanding was that the period under review
was the period he served as Secretary of State and that’s why he brought
the statement of account for that period. He however promised to furnish
the commission with it.

Continuing his testimony, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that while in Hong Kong as
Consul General, he was not doing anything which could generate income but
that he was not spending his emolument while there. He said he came with
about $18, 000 which he did not put in a bank but spent on charity and
family upkeep. At this stage, he was given a piece of paper to write the
schools his children are attending and fees paid per term. Continuing from
there, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he applied for land allocation at Kotu
East layout. He indicated that being conscious of the principle of “one
Gambian one plot”, he did not apply again and that he was never allocated
any plot of land apart from the one at Kotu East. He indicated that he did
not apply for land allocation as Director of Immigration, because according
to him there were other Gambians who needed land. He pointed out that
neither his wife nor his children were allocated land. Mr. Ceesay pointed
out that he has only one official plot and the other plot that he has is in
Sinchu Baliya, which was bought from the Alkalo in 1989 and leased in 2000.

Mr. Ceesay indicated that he returned to the Gambia in 1984 after staying
in US for 13 years with a cash amount of US$15,000. Mr. Ceesay indicated
that within 10 months upon his returned, he was enrolled in the Gambia
Police Force as a Cadet Officer grade 14. He pointed out that in 1990, he
secured a government loan amounting to D60,000, part of which he used to
buy a Renault car. He indicated that he completed the construction of his
Kotu East Plot in 1994 and got a tenant in it in 1996. He indicated that as
he said earlier, the tenant was a British national who left the house in
1998 and no other tenant occupied the house. He said the house is a three
bedroom Bungalow with a boys’ quarters and a kitchen. He indicated that he
moved to his Kotu East property in 2000 when he was appointed Secretary of
State. He pointed out that government wanted to give him a place and he
said it was proper to move to his own place so that tomorrow if he is
removed from office, there will be nothing like evacuating one’s residence.

On his Sinchu Baliya property, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he is using that
property for poultry activities. He indicated that he did the fencing
in1991 or 1992 and also built a wire house, which cost him about D15,000 in
those days when things were not expensive as they are today.

Going back to his Kotu East Property, Mr. Ceesay indicated that the only
work he did when he was about to move to this place, was painting. He
indicated that he bought furniture and two freezers, which cost about
D5,700. He was asked by the commission to produce the receipts. He however
pointed that as for the furniture, these local carpenters do not have
receipts but for the freezers he will go to the seller to get the receipts.
On his poultry farm, Mr. Ceesay said that he got his birds from Senegal and
that his first consignment arrived when he left office as Secretary of
State which cost him D20,000. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that in 2002 he sold
1,000 birds at D80 per bird, which amounted to D80,000 and then bought 650
birds, which laid eggs at a price of D24 per bird. Mr. Ceesay indicated
that he bought his feed from a local dealer at D450 per bag. He indicated
that he got a second hand generator in his poultry farm, which he was using
in his house but added that he has no tractor in the farm because the farm
is a small farm. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he and his brother-in-law
contributed D70,000 to construct a warehouse at Jeshwang in the compound of
the Bah family. He indicated that no lease agreement was prepared between
him and the Bah family because, according to him even if he died and the
Bah family takes the property he will be more than happy because he knows
what the late Bah did for him as a junior officer under him. He indicated
that the warehouse was built to give support to the Bah family. He
indicated that when the construction was completed, there was no activity
in the warehouse but that few months ago, it was rented to somebody. He
indicated that out of the rent fee, D20,000 goes to the Bah family and
D35,000 to him and his brother-in-law. He pointed out that his brother-in-
law asked him to use the D35,000 since he was not working now. He indicated
that there is receipt to indicate that the Bah family has received the
D20,000 but that if the commission calls them, they will confirm receipt of
the money. Ceesay indicated that the car in his declaration was bought at a
price of D57,000. He paid D18,700 as customs duty. He also indicated that
he bought a Mercedes Benz 300 in 1999 and sold it in 2001. He promised to
supply the commission with the receipt and transfer of ownership. He
pointed out that he bought no car for his wife or children. He indicated
that the total income from the poultry farm is D100,000 and out of this,
D45,000 goes for overhead expenses, D15,000 to his brother and D40,000 to
him. Mr. Ceesay indicated that Maraka Enterprise was incorporated in 2003
to take charge of the marketing of the poultry farm produce and to import
feed for the birds but because of his liability at the Bank, Maraka cannot
kick off.

Continuing his testimony further, Mr. Ceesay indicated that apart from the
loan indicated on page 8, he has not taken any other loan from an
individual or institution. He pointed that during the period under review,
he was not responsible for the education or maintenance of any person
outside the Gambia.

Mr. Ceesay indicated that the term of reference of the land allocation
board is to review all the applications for land allocation sent to the
lands department, vet them and make decision. Whatever they decided, would
be forwarded to the technical department, then to the Permanent Secretary
and finally to the Secretary of State for approval or otherwise. Mr. Ceesay
agreed that he had the final say but had no responsibility to instruct any
official. He agreed that he had created three layouts and they are Bijilo,
Tanji and Brufut. He also agreed that these layouts are the most
problematic ones, which required security investigation. He pointed out
that he had overruled the decision of the board about three to four times
and that the reasons were: (a) if a particular sector is ill taken care of
or (b) if the application or extension is unreasonable and unjustifiable.
He agreed that re-entry was done during his tenure but that he does not
initiate them. He agreed no allocation or re-entry could be done without
his knowledge. He indicated that before any re-entry, the Director of Lands
will survey the plot and again Dodou Bojang will check and find out for him
whether what is reported is what is on the ground. He pointed out
categorically that neither his friends nor his relations were beneficiaries
of any re-allocation or re-entry and that the records of all the
beneficiaries are supposed to be at the land’s office. Mr. Ceesay pointed
out that the entire requests he received, whether official or private, were
referred to the board.

He indicated that during his tenure in office, he had not converted green
places for residential purposes. He indicated that he had never overruled
an application for land allocation by non-Gambians. He said if at all a non-
Gambian is allocated a plot, the blame should go to the board and lands
department. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he will not be surprised if they
show him forms which contain Jallows and Jallows, because he wouldn’t know
if these Jallows were all related. He said there are some individuals who
want everything for their families and whether you satisfy them or not,
they will always complain. He indicated that the three layouts were to be
allocated free and that nobody gave him money for allocation. He pointed
out that nobody acted as agent for him on such. He indicated that during
his tenure of office no one has queried him for an allocation of a  plot to
a non-Gambian. He pointed out that layouts are first demarcated by physical
planning and then submitted to cabinet for approval. Mr. Ceesay indicated
that he has not noticed any plot that was big size during his cause of
approval. He said he would know if the number of plots in a layout is
reduced or increased. He indicated that during his period in office, no
commercial plot was converted into a residential plot or vice versa. He
also pointed out that during his tenure of office, plots were not allocated
to beneficiaries who do not apply. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that institutions
only sent him tellers indicating the number of applicants from their side.
He indicated that he has never instructed the allocating officers what to
do and has never indicated name on the allocation lists.

Mr. Ceesay pointed out that one Mustapha Jobe came to him for allocation of
plots to his family, which was denied. He (Mustapha) then told him that he
(Ceesay) will see what he will do to him and then started to work with some
tycoons to get him out of office but then Ceesay said that thank God that
everything is now clear and Gambians know who is who. Mr. Ceesay indicated
that when Dodou Jobe was allocated a plot in Bijilo, he (Mustapha) wanted
to use him and alleged that the plot was sold to him by he Mr Ceesay but
that when Dodou Jobe was called by the NIA, he vehemently denied buying the
plot. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he knew Dodou Jobe as a Businessman but
cannot tell how many plots he has. He however pointed out that during his
tenure of office, Dodou Jobe was allocated one plot at Bijilo. He said he
does not know if his wife has a plot. He indicated that Dodou is not
holding any property for him whether developed or otherwise.

Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he has no authority to allocate land in
Banjulinding but that in Yundum they allocated TAF Holding and Bilal
Quranic Boarding School. He said he has no property in Yundum and that he
has no brother who is serving the Gambia Police Force now. He said his
brother who was serving in the Police Force has passed away and that he has
not help their children to acquire lands. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he
has no property in Fajara and Busumbala. He indicated that the property in
Bundung couldn’t be called his family property because he has no
inheritance right in that property.

Mr. Ceesay said he passes by Brufut every three days as he goes to Tanji to
buy fish to be used as feeds for his birds. As to what he would say if
somebody said he saw him at the seaside throwing something? Mr. Ceesay
retorted, “throwing what? Juju or what? You call that person to tell you
what he saw me throwing”. He indicated that when he goes to Tanji, he only
stops at where fish is sold. He indicated that he has no property in
Brufut. Mr. Ceesay said the only query he received was that of TAF Holding.
He said he does not know why officials at the department of state for lands
were sacked. Testifying further, Mr. Ceesay said he has never had a problem
with the processing of passports as Director of Immigration. Concluding his
testimony. Mr. Momodou Nai Ceesay indicated that he never gave instructions
to his subordinates to do anything; he never wrote to them to take care of
some institutions that are not proper to take care off during the
allocation process. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he has never heard people
saying that some people were selling plots that were meant for free
allocation. He indicated that none of his friends or relatives was
allocated plots during his tenure of office personally and that even if
they are allocated, it must be by merit.



SITTING OF THURSDAY, 12 AUGUST 2004

Joseph Henry Joof

As the Paul Commission continues sitting at the Trade and Employment
Department on Thursday 12th August 2004, the former Secretary of State for
Justice, Attorney General and National Assembly Matters, Mr. Joseph Henry
Joof testified before the commission. He admitted receiving a declaration
of Assets form, which was filled and returned.

Mr. Joof said he was appointed Secretary of state on the 30th January 2001.
He stated that he resigned on the 19th September 2003. Mr. Joof then
tendered his appointment and resignation letters to the commission. When
asked whether he has the copy of his emoluments as SoS, he replied in the
negative. Mr. Joof further said that before his appointment as Secretary of
State, he served as a private legal practitioner for fifteen (15) years. He
also said that in 1986 when he returned from his studies in the U.K he
served as state council for nine (9) months. Mr. Joof said he does not have
any other source of income, except his travel per diem. He said as SoS he
received $150 per day as per diem. He also revealed that he travelled
eleven times when he was SoS. He further said that he had written to the
solicitor general requesting for his per diem. The commission then gave him
ten days to bring his per diem receipts. Asked whether he made savings from
his trips, he replied in the positive, adding that he sometimes saved $100,
but sometimes he had to use his own money to have a reasonable hotel. Asked
about his highest savings from his trips he said nothing more than $400.

Mr. Joof also said that apart from his sales dividend (shareholder) from
his company (Trust Bank) of about D10,000.00 or D20,000.00 when he was SoS,
he does not have any other source of income. He said as shareholder he used
to receive loans, which he can endorse to someone if he wishes. He denied
having any business or company outside the Gambia. He said he started
acquiring shares since 1998. He admitted attending one of the shareholders’
meeting and the reason was, he was there as lawyer and at the same time a
member; that this was before his appointment. He said in February 2004,
after his term in office, he took a loan from the First International Bank
(FIB). He said his wife is a higher scientific officer at the MRC, adding
that he does not have any joint account with his wife. He noted that when
he was SoS he didn’t receive any gift from anybody in or outside the
Gambia; that neither him nor his wife or close associate has any business
on his behalf. He said his wife does not have loan facilities. Mr. Joof
went on to say that his wife does her own thing and he respects her for
that. He also said as husband and wife they help each other. He further
admitted buying something for his wife whenever he travelled and said that
was not more than $50-$100 is spent in these instances.

Mr. Joof told the commission that all his children are going to Marina
International School. He was then given paper to write the names of his
children, schools and fees paid per term, which he did. He denied being
responsible of anybody’s school fees outside the Gambia.

Mr. Joof said he banks with all the commercial banks in the Gambia. He said
it is only in FIB and Guaranty Trust Bank where he has opened accounts
during his term in office as SoS. It is only in Trust Bank where he has a
savings account. He denied having any overseas account, noting that none of
his children has an account.

He further said that in 2002 he applied for a plot of land and was
allocated one on the 31st October 2002. He said the property is fenced, the
foundation had been laid and he plans to make it a self-contained bungalow.
He said he spent D20,000 - D30,000 on the fence and nothing more than
D30,000-D40,000 was also spent on the foundation. He said he also paid D100
or D200 for the purchase of the form from the lands office, which was
processed based on the general allocation of land. He informed the
commission that on 6th September 1991 he bought a compound in Kololi and
gave it to his wife and children and that there are 3-4 bedrooms in that
house. He said it was developed in 1995 or 96. He said he did not
contribute any finance to that property, when he was SoS. He denied
purchasing any property during his term in office, pointing out that all
his properties were bought before his appointment. He said the one in Kotu
where he lives was bought on the 8th September 1991 and he transferred
there on the 29th June 1997 with his children at a time when his wife had
travelled. He added that as a SoS he did not make any improvement on the
house.

Mr. Joof said he bought plots of land in Tanji, Sanyang and Banjulinding
which he said cost D25, 000, D35,000 and D21,000 respectively. He said the
Bijilo, Tanji and Sanyang plots were fenced in 2001-2002. He said between
January 2001- December 2003 he did not purchase and was not allocated a
plot of land as SoS, except the Kololi one. He denied handling another
position in the government services before his appointment.

Mr. Joof disclosed to the commission that he has two private cars, a Daewoo
Vagansa and BW Bora for his wife and children, which he said was bought in
December 1998 and 1999 respectively. He also denied receiving any query and
does not remember hearing any query from his staff. Mr. Joof said he did
not receive any gift from anybody for rendering services as SoS to that
person.

Mr. Joof said when he was in office he once led an investigating committee
on the illegal allocation of land in the Tanji, Brufut and Kololi area. And
that at the end of their investigation they submitted a report to the
President whom he said set up that committee. He also said during their
deliberation they spoke to people face to face. Mr. Emmanuel Fagbenle asked
him whether it was true that the investigation affected the three
allocations, entry and re entry layouts. He answered in the positive. He
insisted that if the allegation that freely allocated land was eventually
sold it would be in the report.



Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe

“I DON’T REGRET SERVING MY COUNTRY”

Sedat Jobe tells commission


The second witness to testify on Thursday was the former Secretary of state
for foreign Affairs, Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe. Dr. Jobe acknowledged
receiving a declaration of assets form, which he filled and returned. Dr.
Jobe said he was appointed Ambassador between the 7th July 1995 to 1996 to
the U.S.A, U.K, France and Morocco. He said between 15th July 1996 - 3rd
October 1996 he was appointed Chairman, Commission for  establishing the
University of the Gambia. He said between 18th February 1998 - 28th August
2001 he was the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs. He further stated
that during his term in office he did not hold any public service position.
He also said that on the 30th September 1995, he requested for his early
retirement from UNESCO’s Secretary General, where he was working before
serving his country. He said had he not been given leave without salary
from them (UNESCO) he would have retired on the 24th July 2004.

He said before he was SoS his children were going to school and UNESCO was
responsible for their (children’s) school fees until 30th September 1995,
when he started serving the government of the Gambia. He then started
paying their school fees. He was given paper to list his children’s names,
schools, and fees per term, which he did.

Dr. Jobe tendered his letter of appointment date 2nd March 1998 to the
commission. He said his monthly salary as SoS was D12,000 but out of it
D2,000 was going towards building construction, which lasted two years. He
also said that he started receiving his early retirement benefits on the
30th September 1999. He denied receiving any money from anybody as a source
of income. Dr. Jobe further said he does not have any fixed deposit account
nor treasury bills, but his UNESCO staff helped him when he was he facing
some financial difficulties. He said he used the amount between January
1998 and December 2002 to help his family and others. He said the support
he receives from his UNESCO friends is almost the same as what he would
have had when he was in UNESCO.

Dr. Jobe further said he was paid $10,000 at UNESCO. He said he would have
been materially rich if he stayed at (UNESCO). Mr. Jobe said he banks with
a bank called B and B in France, BICI in Senegal, IBC in the Gambia and was
also banking with the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), but stopped banking
with them when he left office. He denied taking a loan from SCB and IBC
when he was SoS. But that when he left office he took a loan from IBC,
because his daughter was sitting to her examination. Dr. Jobe revealed that
he had a property in Dakar (Senegal) from a mortgaged loan.

He also admitted having savings when he returned from his official trips
and used it to develop his five-hectare farm in Kesseri Kunda, CRD. He said
the savings he made from those trips is not more than D70,000 - D80,000. He
said he planted about 2,000-3,000 cashew trees there and has started
commercializing it. He said it is a freehold property that was acquired
between 1998 and 2002. He has fenced it. He further said it also has a 3-
bedroom building, boys quarters and 10 other bedrooms. He said he also
bought a milk machine for about D30,000 - D40,000 and that is equivalent to
his one or two months pensions. He said the Alkalo of Kesseri Kunda was
given D5,000 - D10,000. He said since the allocation of the land to him he
had invested D800,000 on it.

He said that in 1972 he was allocated a plot of land but during his time of
appointment, between 1998 and 2002 he was not officially allocated a plot
of land. He stated that his wife once bought an incomplete compound
situated at Kotu from one Mr. Demba Komma in Brikama, in 2002. He said the
Kotu property is now completed and rented for D60,000 per annum starting
from the end of 2003. It is a 3 bedroom Bungalow building. The property was
purchased for D900,000. Dr Jobe said between 1972 - 78 when he was a
Professor at the University of Senegal, the late President Senghore said he
could have land after staying there for long. That’s how he got that
property in Senegal. In 1978 he left for France. He further said in 2001 he
moved to his Fajara residence which was acquired in 1972. He also said he
bought a brand new 18 kVA generator in 2002 from the Gambia Electrical
Company at about D80,000.

Dr. Jobe said he invested a lot in furniture and infact UNESCO did send him
a container of furniture. He said the whole construction of the building
costs about D1 million two hundred thousand, excluding the furniture. He
further revealed that one Mr, Flowarr, who built the Supreme Court of the
Gambia, constructed the building. He said all his radios were bought in
1998. Dr. Jobe said after his term in office ended in 2002, he bought a
four-wheel drive Nissan Patrol. He also bought a four-wheel drive lorry
(Mercedes Benz - Man) for his wife in 1999. He further said that he has a
broken Mercedes 500, bought from France. He said since 1998 to this year he
is paying his daughter’s school fees in the U.S.A. He also said his one
month retirement benefits is the cost of his wife’s car. He denied paying
anything from the Gambia to his overseas account. Dr. Jobe said there was a
payment of his old generator sold at about D120,000 and his wife’s monthly
rent collection to his SCB account.

Dr. Jobe denied having any contract with Mr. Francesco Casso. He further
denied having any personal or business relationship with Abdoulie Kujabi.
Dr. Jobe threatened to sue Abdoulie Kujabi to court, if he found that he,
Kujabi said this to the commission because since he left office he has not
seen Kujabi in person.

When asked about Kerr Al-Janna Hotel in Kubuneh, he denied knowing anything
about that Hotel, but does know that his wife once had a garden there and
was tempted by friends to acquire plots there, but that could not
materialse. Asked whether he knows the Proprietor Frenchman of Kerr Al-
Jannah Hotel of Kubuneh, Dr. Jobe said that he (the Frenchman) was sick. He
should leave the country for treatment. The Frenchman wrote his office
requesting for treatment and as a foreign SoS it’s his duty to draw the
President’s attention it to and the President ordered him to leave. He
pointed out that he doesn’t know whether the man was escorted by security
personnel to leave or not.

Dr Jobe finally expressed happiness in the exercise of the commission,
noting its usefulness in the sense that people like him will now try to
keep records of their activities and receipts.



SoS Mboob’s Tour

Promises To Deal With The Issue Of Marketing And Financing For Trade Season

The Secretary of State for Agriculture, Sulayman Mboob, continues his two-
week tour of the country, which should take him to all the divisions. The
purpose of the tour is to assess the progress and performance of the
cropping season and discuss mobilization and coordination of resources for
the campaign against anticipated locust invasion. The tour started in the
North Bank Division on 9th August and is expected to end on 21st August.

SoS Mboob has been visiting farms and field projects, holding discussions
with farmers, agricultural field workers, NGOs and cooperating partners, on
the progress and performance of the cropping season. The imminent threat of
locust invasion, preparations in hand for controlling any eventual invasion
and the mobilization and coordination of resources for the impending
campaign against any invasion were discussed with local authorities and
farmers. The strategies adopted include the formation of a divisional
coordinating committee chaired by the Commissioner with the responsibility
for overall coordination and mobilization of resources for the campaign.
At village level, Locust surveillance and control brigades comprising
farmers and youths will be mobilized, trained and equipped.  These will be
supported by three mobile, fully equipped locust control teams.

According to a preliminary report on the start of the cropping season
issued by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit recently established by DOSA
to monitor, evaluate and report on a fortnightly basis, the status of the
cropping season, despite the generalized dry spell affecting the whole
country from the end of June, which halted agricultural activities and
resulted in poor germination, overall crop performance is satisfactory, due
to subsequent good rains.

On the first day of the tour, farms visited were groundnut, early millet,
rice (NERICA), maize and two poultry projects. According to the
Agricultural Communication Unit, the area put under various crops has
increased compared to last year; the crops are highly promising as
groundnut fields are flowering, early millet heading and rice and maize
heading for the vegetative stage. SoS Mboob was impressed by the high level
of agronomic practices adopted by farmers such as row spacing,
fertilizer/manure application and high plant population, which is an
indication of the use of good quality seeds.

The emergence of big farmers within the division was observed. SoS Mboob
suggested that these farmers should consider forming associations of
commercial farmers, which should provide a basis for facilitating the
acquisition of inputs and equipment for their members.

On the second day of the tour, SOS Mboob and team visited fields in the
Baddibus.  In general, there is hardly any arable land in the North Bank
Division that has not been put under cultivation.  Farmers have indicated
that there has been a definite increase in the area put under cultivation
particularly groundnuts, millet and maize.  A new phenomenon is an emerging
class of Commercial Maize Grower. Most, if not all the fields visited by
the team have fertilizer or manure applications and the team has observed a
high consumption of fertilizers, which has led to an increasing demand for
more fertilizer.  An individual farmer in Daru-Rilwan is reported to have
applied 300 bags of fertilizer.

The SoS and his team also observed an increase in the number of Community
farms.  At Nawleru, as a result of their Community farm, the villagers have
succeeded in opening a savings account with VISACA, which has enabled them
to access loans for purchasing fertilizers for their members and
established a Village Cereal Bank.

At Jajarie and Jumansarba, farmers have diversified into Pumpkin and
Watermelon production, which is apparently attracting buyers from
Mauritania and Senegal and has led to increased income generation for the
Communities involved.

The third day of SoS Mboob’s tour took him to Central River Division North
were he met more emerging commercial farmers. He expressed satisfaction at
the level of cultivation in the area. He observed that given the
unprecedented increase in the area planted this year and the quality of
crops fields; a bumper harvest is envisaged if the rainy season remains
favourable.

Addressing a group of farmers at Ngayen Sanjal, SoS Mboob stressed the need
for effective marketing of produce this year and assured farmers that
government was addressing the issue of marketing all agricultural produce
as well as financing for the trade season. He further assured farmers that
the Department of Cooperative Development within the Department of State
for Agriculture has been instructed to initiate a series of consultations
with all stakeholders, in particular the Primary Cooperative Societies to
ensure that the marketing of produce at Primary Society level is properly
structured, rationalized, transparent and properly managed this season.

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