Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 31/2005, 21-24 April 2005

Editorial

GROUNDNUT TRADE IN JEOPARDY

Total Projection – 135,000 Tonnes, Gamco Purchases 31,319 Tonnes,

Total Evacuated 13,059 Tonnes

It is revealed to FOROYAA that the total quantity of groundnuts produced in 2003/2004 Trade Season stood at 92,037 tonnes. The total projected for 2004/2005 trade season is 135,000 tonnes.

FOROYAA had repeatedly cautioned the government to avoid any monopolistic design by GAMCO. The government failed to heed the advice. It gave the impression that GAMCO had the money to purchase all the crops; that it will evacuate the groundnuts purchased with speed so that there will be little chance of pest infestation. It was argued that the GAMCO initiative is a national one involving parastatals, women and other entrepreneurs and the Cooperative Societies. The rosy picture disappeared when the President removed the SoS for Agriculture, Mr. Sulayman Mboob before addressing the National Assembly in March, 2005.

Since then FOROYAA has been conducting interviews with farmers, secco managers and the authorities at all levels to know the real state of affairs with the ground trade. What is now evident is that this year’s trade is a disaster.

Out of the anticipated 135,000 tonnes only 31,319 tonnes have been purchased up to 19th April, 2005.

The officials at GAMCO indicated that only 13,059 tonnes of groundnuts have been evacuated to the mill at Denton Bridge, 19,615 tonnes are still at the various depots. The Cooperative Societies are said to have purchased 13,200 tonnes.

The tragedy is that GAMCO had to rely on the parastatals to increase its purchasing power to monopolize the groundnut trade this season. The fact that it has been able to evacuate only 13,059 tonnes confirms that no machinery has been set up to ensure the speedy exportation of the crop in order to earn the foreign exchange desired.

The mobilsation of the district and security authorities to block the cross border trade by the farmers have only resulted in pest infestation of the groundnut crop which GAMCO could not purchase.

Farmers are now selling the infested nuts for the making of soap. The Government owes explanation to the farmers. Now that the former host of the TV Programme "In Depth", is now SoS of Trade, FOROYAA hopes that she will host another programme on this years groundnut trade for all the farmers and traders to air out their views.

31,000 Tonnes of Groundnuts Purchased



By Tombong Jadama

As the trade season draws to a close, Mr Kaba Jallow, the spokesperson of the sole company that has satisfied the government’s eligibility criteria, GAMCO, has revealed that as at Tuesday, 19th April 2005 the total purchases of groundnuts amounted to 31,319 tonnes. Mr Jallow went on to say that out of the 31,319 tonnes purchased, only 13,059 tonnes had been evacuated to Oyster Creek Bridge (Denton Bridge), adding that 19,615 tonnes were at various depots up country. The Gambia Groundnut Corporation, the proprietor of the depots also gave similar figures.

GAMCO which was provided with loans by parastatals to beef up its financing of the groundnut trade, is the sole financier of groundnut purchases. It has financed private buyers and 74 cooperative societies. How much has the cooperative societies bought? Well, according to Mr Bakary Sonko of the Department of Cooperation, total purchases by cooperative societies amounted to 13,200 tonnes.

As it stands, purchases have virtually come to a standstill and the figures quoted above do not expect to rise substantially.

For the information of the reader, total production of groundnuts for the year 2003/2004 stood at 92,937 tonnes while the projected figures for 2004/2005 stands at 135,000 tonnes. This is more than four times the total purchases.

LONG QUEUE OF VEHICLES AT BARRA TERMINAL



By Tombong Jadama

Drivers bringing goods from Senegal to The Gambia have difficulty crossing to Banjul. Many trucks have been queuing at Barra Terminal, unable to cross. According to some of those drivers, they have been there since the 13th April 2005 and cannot cross. Others indicate that they are not able to talk.

The drivers spoken to said that their vehicles are loaded with basalt belonging to Salam and CSE companies. There are trucks carrying various items such as cement waiting to cross to deliver those items. The drivers spoken to indicate that the ferry authorities have a list of vehicles that they allow to cross. They indicated that they reacted many times but the authorities did not listen to them.

Ousman Bah, the driver of CRD 0194 A truck said that he is carrying cement and cannot cross for days now. Ousman pointed out that they are really suffering at the terminal. Mr. Lang Sanneh, also a driver said when they reach the terminal with their load and weight bridge ticket and necessary documents, they are not even listened to. He said that priority is always given to company vehicles. He pointed out that some of them are family men and to stay at the terminal for 4 or 5 days is a difficult situation for them.

The officer in charge of the terminal, Mr. Babou Jome said that he was not mandated to talk to the press but referred our reporter to the PRO who in turn referred him to the Communication Officer.

According to the Communication Officer of the GPA, Ebrima J. T. Kujabi, the Gambia Ferry Services is doing its best to help the public. Mr. Kujabi said the long queue at the Barra Ferry Terminal is caused by the drivers and not the ferry authorities. He pointed out that during the time of the ‘Magal’ or the annual ‘Gamo’, many of the drivers who are complaining traveled to Senegal and returned after the ‘Gamo’, meeting a lot of vehicles in the queue.

He said the aggrieved drivers returned at the same time and they wanted to cross over to Banjul end. He mentioned that they have been informed by company owners and executives that their goods are on the way coming and those companies are given priority to cross. He said companies like Kharafi, CSE and other construction companies are therefore given priority.

Mr. Kujabi pointed out that company vehicles at Barra Terminal will be given priority to cross over whenever the GPA receives a request from their proprietors. Mr. Kujabi said that their ferries often have 12 to 13 trips a day and 2 trucks and some cars are often loaded on board for each trip.

APRIL 10 FILE MISSING IN COURT

The case file pertaining to the rancorous civil suit involving the state and one Majanko Sawo, who was allegedly beaten by state security agents around Westfield during the April 10th and 11th students demonstration, has gone missing at the Banjul High Court.

The story of the missing file has been confirmed by Mrs. Hawa Sisay Sabally, the plaintiff’s counsel. Majanko Sawo was claiming three hundred and fifty thousand dalasis from the state for damages.

Majanko Sawo, a student and Ousman Sabally, a teacher of St. Augustine’s Senior Secondary School were the duo who dragged the state to court for alleged inhuman treatment meted to them by state security agents. Their actions were precipitated by the APRC government’s complete reluctance to accept responsibility for what happened during the April 10th and 11th students demonstration which resulted to the mowing down of innocent students who were demanding for justice following the death of their colleague, Ebrima Barry, who was at the time purported to have died of inhuman treatment meted to him by some Fire Officers.

The case involving the state and Majanko was at the time presided over by Justice Mam Yassin Sey. The then High Court did adjourn the case rendering the Supreme Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of the Indemnity Act which was enacted by the National Assembly after the Commission of Inquiry set up by President Jammeh to pry into the April 10th and 11th students demonstration indicted the then Secretary of State for the Interior, Ousman Badjie, and some security agents. Justice Sey had at the time indicated that the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Indemnity Act will have an effect on the case involving Majanko and the state. The Supreme Court later ruled in favour of Hawa Sisay Sabally’s argument that the Indemnity Act is unconstitutional and cannot affect her client’s case.

According to sources, the case file went missing in Justice Sey’s absence. It is purported that the latter was in America when the file disappeared without a trace.

CHOLERA STILL A CAUSE FOR CONCERN



By Sarjo M. Camara

Following the outbreak of cholera in neighbouring Senegal, the authorities in the Gambia have embarked on some preventive measures to curb the disease especially for those travelers visiting that country, where the out break was first reported. When Foroyaa

received reports indicating that people are using the same basin to wash their hands, this paper dispatched a reporter to visit the Amdalaye Post to see what measures are put in place to curb the spread of the disease. At the boarder post of Amdalaye, this

reporter spoke to some officials who confirmed that the practice was done by them at the beginning but was put to a quick halt when the health authorities learnt about it ; that now they have two tanks filled with water and detergent to kill the germs that people use to wash their hands. The official I spoke to said further that they improvised a tap (see cover photo) to allow the water to flow from these tanks for people to wash their hands which will avoid contaminating the water. He added that the practice is for everyone who is crossing from an outbreak area in to the country. The authorities assured FOROYAA that they will continue to be vigilant and make sure that anyone coming in the Gambia must apply this step as a preventive measure. When asked by this reporter whether our neighbours are applying the same method, they indicated that the washing of the hands was infact an idea from the Senegalese authorities themselves and that since the first outbreak of cholera in Senegal
 the authorities noted that they had a meeting with the Senegalese boarder officials where this method of prevention was suggested. They went on to say that this was why when the present outbreak was announced, they quickly adopted the same method. During a discussion with some health officers in Banjul they indicated that this washing does not prevent someone from getting the disease, noting that even clothes need to be washed clean and ironed. On those importers of fruits and

vegetables, the officials indicated that they use visual inspection since they do not have any equipment to test the disease, which is not considered sufficient. In short, adequate measures to prevent the transmission of the disease by travelers visiting The Gambia or returning home are yet to be in place.

GPU DECLINES PARTICIPATON

Following advertisement that the government is to play a football match with the media fraternity, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) wrote to the Permanent Secretary, department of state for communication, information and technology informing him that the GPU was not in a position to participate in the proposed football match. The letter is a consequence of a unanimous decision of a meeting of the new GPU executive held last Friday.



While appreciating SoS Janneh’s good initiative to use the proposed football match as part of his noble efforts to bring the two parties closer together, the letter noted that the GPU is of the view that it should have been more appropriate to seal it with the match instead of using it as the opening salvo.



The letter expressed GPU’s willingness to continue the dialogue that has started but pointed out that the football match should wait until other more tangible issues are dealt with. It emphasised that the media fraternity are still in a period of mourning for their colleague, the late Deyda Hydara whose demise is still fresh in their minds.

In conclusion the letter underscored that the government, particularly President Jammeh should, through his actions and utterances, show more good will in regard to the independent media than has been so far the case.

AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

DoSE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Part 5

FOROYAA has been publishing the report submitted by the National Assembly Select Committee on Education and Training to the Assembly for approval. FOROYAA continues with the report.

4. Where there is a strong link between schools, communities and PTA, there is evidence of community participation in the schools’ activities and programmes.

5. Many schools in Region 2 have farms and gardens, which could be better managed with a bit of expertise and assistance.

6. Development plans in schools provide focus and guide schools in measuring progress and achievements.

7. The ongoing teacher appraisal system found in Catholic Mission schools initiated by the RCM Secretariat is a good way of assuring quality teaching and learning. It is a good supervision and monitoring mechanism.

8. The three-weekly mark sheets found in Brikama UBS is a useful recording system if properly supervised.

9. The end of term and yearly reports of both staff and department in some schools albeit a few are quite good for supervision, monitoring and appraisal.

10. Schools doing community sensitization for enrolment and more community and parent participation in school activities.

11. Where records are kept on assessment, meetings and other activities, there is rigorous and consistent monitoring and supervision. It is evident too that the entire staff is involved in the running of the school.

Region 5 and 6

During the third phase of the tour to inspect schools, the National Assembly Select Committee on Education and Training went to Regions 5 and 6 and filed the following report:

On Teacher Supply And Demand

The report reveals that the teacher supply and demand in the schools visited in Regions 5 and 6 are in complete contrast to those in Regions 1 to 4; that the regions have inadequate staff and female teachers compared to the others; that there are schools without female teachers and that Region 6 has a general teacher shortage since September 2004. The Regional Directorate reported that, of the seventy (70) teachers posted to the region in September, only forty four (44) reported. The report went on to state that a good number of the lower basic schools in both regions have more unqualified teachers than qualified ones; that 44 % of the total number of teachers posted to these regions are untrained; that Jarumeh Koto Basic Cycle School for example has no HTC teacher for the Upper Basic and the school has only 6 trained teachers out of 23 with the head included. The report goes to show that some unclassified schools have only the head as a trained member of staff while other schools
 have none; that the unqualified teachers recruited are of average standard and some even below standard. However, the report indicates that the upper basic and senior secondary schools are better staffed with trained teachers, although these schools have inadequate subjects and particularly trained specialist teachers to teach the technical and skills subjects. The report revealed that "As a result, some of these subjects are not taught." Some of the basic cycle schools", the report went on, "resorted to using the teachers in the lower basic to teach the upper basic students". "In most instances the report indicates these teachers cannot teach effectively the subjects they are given because they are used just to fill the gap. The report of the National Assembly Select Committee on Education and Training went on to reveal that the inadequacy of teachers in some schools resulted to double shifting. In Koli Bantang Lower Basic School, the report indicated that the community was found
 fencing the school and parents lamented the lack of teachers; that their children are neither learning effectively nor helping them at work. The report further reveals that teachers alternate in teaching classes because there are seven (7) classes with only three (3) teachers including the Head Teacher; that Region 6 has recorded an increase in double shift classes. "Regions 5 and 6 have a higher percentage of non-Gambian teaching staff in the senior secondary schools. According to the report both regional offices, complain of the lack of teachers.

On Ancillary Staff

The report goes on to reveal that most of the schools visited in Regions 5 and 6 have ancillary staff, albeit inadequate caretakers and night watchmen; that some of the ancillary staff in the lower basic schools are on voluntary services and some, particularly the secretaries and bursars, in the upper basic, basic cycle and senior secondary schools are paid from the school fees; that Fass Lower Basic School (Region 5) has no ancillary staff; that consequently, the teachers and pupils clean the school. In some schools, the report continues to reveal that there are no night watchmen; that the question of Social Security Provident Fund contributions for this category of staff, which is relative to their retirement, is of concern and that it has been found that some schools have not made arrangements for such contributions.

On In-Service Training / Professional Development

The report reveals that school-based workshops on professional development are organised in some of the schools; that the frequency of these workshops ranges from once a year (at the beginning of the year) to twice up to three times a year (once per term); that there were a few cluster-based workshops". Workshops, "the report continues, were also organized at the regional level on: induction for unqualified teachers, mentors and the production of extra materials; that there are no regularly organized in-service courses at regional or national levels. The report revealed that teachers lamented the lack of opportunities to develop professionally either at the national level or abroad.

On School Leadership

The report revealed that most of the heads, deputies and senior teachers in the schools in Regions 5 and 6 are acting in these capacities, some for years without any recognition or remuneration; that the substantive holders of the positions posted to the schools have for one reason or the other failed to report to their schools of posting. The report reveals that in some schools, only the head is the substantive holder of the position. In Jimbala BCS, Kaur SSS, Foday Kunda BCS for example, there is no substantive holder of administrative position according to the report, that in these circumstances, the Regional Directorate authorizes these internal acting positions to the most senior teachers in the school and recruit unqualified teachers to fill up the gap. The report goes on to reveal that some school SMTs meet regularly to monitor curricular and school administrative issues but that this is more pronounced on records with senior secondary schools, but that some lower basic
 schools, basic cycle and upper basic heads say that they meet regularly but no evidence on records have been shown. The report further indicates that monitoring and supervision of teachers and students’ work are found neither effective nor regular as expected; that these indicate that the lack of substantive holders of school leadership positions or incentives for the ones acting directly affect the performance of those in the respective positions.

On Curriculum And Teaching Resources

The report reveals that the majority of the schools visited in both regions (5 and 6) have inadequate supply of core textbooks, teacher’s guide, chalk and other related teaching and learning materials; that the shortage of core textbooks in some schools in these regions was due to the poor quality of binding which results to the short lifespan of textbooks; that the pupils / textbooks ratio in some schools is 3:1 or 4:1. The report revealed further that the textbooks rental scheme in the upper basic and basic cycle schools is not as effective as it should be; that the boys do not rent the books and in some cases, supplies are inadequate; that the picture is the same as in the other four regions. In addition the report said that schools are without any teaching aids and teachers do not prepare any as the basic materials to prepare them are lacking. "Class registers in general", the report goes on, "are inadequate or lacking in many schools".

On Classrooms and Furniture

The report reveals that due to the low enrollment in some of the lower basic schools, inadequacies of classrooms and furniture are not as acute as in the other regions; that most of the schools in the regions have adequate classrooms and furniture. However, the report goes on to say that "Some classes in some of the schools are overcrowded mostly due to inadequate furniture; that there are cases of two classes housed in one room; that some upper basic schools (Bansang and Dankunku) and senior secondary schools (Armitage) need extra classrooms and furniture to overcome the overcrowding; that in Region 6 schools such as Kanapeh, Sotuma Sereh and Misira Sireh have buildings that are conducive for learning; that inadequate classrooms in a few of these schools results to increase in double shift in the schools; that the double shift system in these two regions is ineffective because of the weather condition. It goes on to state that sometimes it s so hot that the classrooms are not
 conducive for learning; that generally there is still the need for more classrooms for expansion and to decongest some of the schools mentioned above and that there are schools where rehabilitation of existing structures is needed. The report continues that these are either old classrooms or destroyed by storm. It indicates that the Regional Office (Region 6) reported that in some schools double shifts classes have been introduced due to inadequate classes and that it has been reported too that the pace at which construction is done is slow". In addition, "the report continues lack of inspection of these constructions results in poor flooring and other faults".

On Toilet Facilities

The report reveals that the situation of toilet facilities in most schools is fairly adequate taking into account the low enrollment rate of the school population in the regions; that however, despite the provision of permanent walls, there are no shutters in some locally made toilets and there is no guarantee for the durability of such pit latrines; that the sanitary conditions of the toilets are poor due to improper usage by children. In some schools, the report continues, toilets are not separated for girls and teachers. The report reveals that "Armitage Senior Secondary School, which is the only government boarding school in the country, lacks adequate toilet facilities and that the sanitary conditions of the existing ones are poor".

On Library Services

The report states that "Although Kudang Upper Basic School has an unfurnished library, each of the other four (4) upper basic schools seen in Region 5 has a library like the three (3) senior secondary schools, but that only two (2) of the six (6) lower basic schools have a library including one (1) of the two (2) basic cycle schools. "In Region 6", the report continues, "both the two (2) senior secondary schools visited have a library and that 6 of the 7 lower basic and two (2) of the three (3) basic cycle schools have libraries." It reveals that the library services in the schools in both Regions 5 and 6 need more support; that though Numuyel Basic Cycle School and Sabi Upper Basic School have good collections of books, but the books in the libraries are old, outdated and irrelevant to the national curriculum; that only a few of them could be used as reference materials. The report further indicated that no evidence was seen of teachers encouraging children to use the library
 resources as some of the libraries are housed in small rooms without reading facilities; that only a few schools like the senior secondary schools have better facilities, though they are not up to standard.

On Resource Centres

The report reveals that no resource centre was found in the schools seen in Regions 5 and 6; that only one (1) upper basic school has a resource centre in Region 6 and that it is adequately furnished; that there is one in the making at Sare Alpha; that this shows that in total for two regions from thirteen (13) lower basic schools only one (1) is making attempt to have a resource centre.

On Laboratories

The report reveal that one of the five (5) upper basic schools and two (2) of the three (3) senior secondary schools have a lab in Region 5 and one of the two senior secondary schools in Region 6, while none of its three upper basic schools has one. It goes on to indicate that the laboratories in the senior secondary schools are fairly equipped; that Kaur Senior Secondary School has three labs while Nasir Ahmadiyya Muslim High School has four labs; that with the limited number of senior secondary schools in the regions there is one such school in each region without a lab and that this has serious implications for the WASSCE, particularly for Nyakoi Senior Secondary School. The report reveals that due to the absence of labs, teachers improvise materials for Science lessons.

On Technical And Skills Training Facilities

The report states that the basic cycle, upper basic and senior secondary schools in the two regions have limited resources for the teaching of Wood Work, Metal Work, Technical Drawing and Home Economics (including Armitage Senior Secondary School). It reveals that these facilities are not in any of the basic cycle schools and are in three (3) upper basic schools of the regions. The report indicated that St. George’s Upper Basic School has well equipped facilities for Metal Work, Wood Work and Home Economics. The report continues to indicate that although Brikamaba has some of these facilities, they are not adequate.

On Water Supply

The report pointed out that some schools have water problems; that either the supply is inadequate or there is none in extreme cases like Fass Lower Basic School in Region 5. Water, the report said, is fetched from the village and this affects the instructional hours.





APRC STALWARTS QUARREL,

AS NATIONAL MOBILISER CONTINUES TOUR



By Yaya Dampha

The APRC National Mobiliser, Mr. Antouman Saho, and the Police Adviser, Mr. F. R. I. Jammeh, together with the APRC members of Parliament in Lower River Division are touring the constituencies in LRD. According to the party mobiliser when addressing a small gathering in Sitahuma, in Central Jarra they are out to reconcile and wipe out the differences among party members so that their party can win back their trust that is seriously at stake.

Mr. Lunka Jammeh, the APRC District Chairman said that it would be hard to gain the trust of the masses. According to the District Chairman, some of the MPs like Phoday Lang Sarr last visited their constituencies since last July, after the by-election in Jarra West.

Mr. Sarr accepted this criticism, but observed that revelations should not have been said in public.

At the end of the meeting promises were made for party members to forge new ways so that they can unite the people.

At Pakaliba, a similar meeting was held at the Chief’s residence and on Tuesday the 12th April 2005, the team had a meeting in Soma at Kaira Konko Lodge. During this meeting former APRC Youth Wing members took the opportunity to voice out their grievances and the reasons why it would be very hard to bring back those who had already left because of grievances.

One Mr. Jaiteh said that the hiring and firing of ministers and other workers is too much in the government; that while people were saying this, their party leader and Head of State now wants to militarise the Police.

Mr. Seedy Cham said that the APRC can no longer grow in LRD after the imprisonment of Baba K. Jobe who had given them both power and resources; that if Baba is jailed and other innocent party supporters arrested and threatened like criminals, then that is the end of it.

Both the Chiefs, Councillors and members of Parliament present promised to work day and night in order to mobilize the people. The APRC Mobiliser and the Chief Adviser of Police, called on the party members to remain loyal to President Jammeh.

The new Commissioner in LRD, Mr. Lamin F. S. Manneh also called on the people of LRD to remain loyal to President Jammeh. Commissioner Manneh advised the APRC members to iron out the differences among themselves and remain loyal to their party head, whom he described as God sent.

Chief Yaya Jarjusey and Chairman Wally Sanneh of Mansakonko Area Council both pledged their support and all made similar calls for unity and tolerance.

A youth councillor who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the APRC have lost the support of the youths of LRD. According to him only people with positions like Alkalos, etc are attending their meetings and that the rest of the attendants are Chiefs, MPs and the party chairpersons, councilors and commissioners.

Similar meetings were held in Kaiaf, Kwenella and other villages in the area



JUWARA CRIMINAL APPEAL CASE PENDING IN COURT

The criminal appeal case involving the state and Lamin Waa Juwara is not still being heard by the court. Judicial sources have indicated that work on the documents that will be used during the hearing of the matter is very slow due to the unavailability of finance to process the said documents.

It could be recalled that Lamin Waa Juwara who was convicted and sentenced to six months of imprisonment on two counts of sedition by Honourable Justice Paul had filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal last year challenging the decision of the trial High Court judge. Mr. Juwara has already served his jail term but he is resolved to clear himself of the criminal conviction.






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