Gambia-l,
Here are the Burning Issues from FOROYAA NEWSPAPER NO: 39/2002 8 - 10 July,
2002
The topics in this issue are:
1. Editorial - The Media Commission Bill
2. National Assembly Standing Committee On Foreign Affairs Meets
3. Heavy Rains Flood Compounds
4. Focus On The Gambia's Economic Situation
5. Mariama Denton V/S FJC and Daily Observer Company
6. Press Conference By The Secretary General of Local Bread (Tapalapa) Association Ad-
hoc Committee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editorial
The Media Commission Bill
It Is Not Yet law
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOROYAA has been monitoring the situation to find out whether the president has
assented to the Media Commission Bill and facilitate its publication in the gazette to
transform it into law.
According to the constitution When a bill is passed by the National Assembly it is to be
presented to the president for his or her assent within thirty days. If he fails to do so he
must return the bill to the National Assembly requesting for amendments and stating his
or her reasons and recommendations. Once the bill is assented to it becomes an Act of
the National Assembly. This Act must be published in the gazette within thirty days of the
assent if it is to become law.
The Media Commission Bill was passed on 2 May 2002.
The president had until 1 June 2002 to assent to it. If the last date for assent is 1 June
2002 then within thirty days after the last day one should expect the publication of the
Media Commission Act in the gazette. The last day possible of publication should have
been 1 July We can therefore assume that in subsequent sitting of the National Assembly
an amended Media Commission Bill would be presented for reconsideration. If that
happens the amendments are in line with the criticism of the stakeholders. One would
say that history has been made.
This would constitute the first case in the history of the Gambian legislature that a bill is
returned for recommendation because of public concerns and enlightened criticism by the
public. This would confirm that the only way to promote a democratic political culture is to
end the culture of silence and impunity. This is the challenge of the politics of the Gambia
in the twenty first century.
All stakeholders affected by any issue should take active part in evaluating and criticizing
policies and bills that are not in the public interest. All Gambians must see themselves as
owners of the country and must stand vigil to safeguard her interest. Once that level of
consciousness is achieved leaders would only ignore the concerns of the people at their
own peril.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
National Assembly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Standing Committee On Foreign Affairs Meets To
Discuss Gambia-Guinea Bissau Relations On Friday 5th July 2002 Standing Committee
on the Foreign Affairs met at the national Assembly building to discuss the problems
between Gambia and guinea Bissau.
The chairperson of the committee, the Deputy Speaker explained the purpose of the
meeting. Members expressed concern regarding the claim that the Gambia is in
complicity with a plot to threaten the security of the government of Guinea
Bissau. They questioned whether any evidence has been presented to implicate anyone
in the Gambia for being part of such a plot. It was indicated that the National Assembly
could play a role in addressing any concerns if the facts are not known. Members
expressed readiness to send a delegation to Guinea Bissau if the need arise in order to
get the facts. The committee finally agreed that if the truth is to be known it was
necessary to invite the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for a discussion on the
subject.
Meeting With The Secretary Of State For Foreign Affairs
Secretary of State for Interior Mr. Ousman Badjie deputized for the SoS for Foreign
Affairs. He explained to the committee that they have heard allegations that a splinter
group was in the Gambia which had been trained and have been plotting to overthrow the
Bissau government. He said that no evidence has been submitted to the Gambia
Government; that they had to reject the allegation and call on the Bissau security officers
to visit the Gambia and identify the alleged culprits and their location. The Secretary of
State indicated that even though this has not been done the Secretary General did
intervene and an envoy was sent to facilitate negotiations between the two countries to
settle the problem. He added that prior to appearing before the Standing Committee on
Foreign Affairs he has been discussing with a high powered ministerial
delegation from Guinea Bissau.
According to him, the delegation from Bissau has acknowledged that the allegations are
based on misunderstanding; that they have agreed to revive the Inter-ministerial
Commission of the two countries to promote better understanding between the two
governments. He added that the presidents of the two countries will meet in Durban,
South Africa during the OAU/African countries summit to settle all misunderstanding.
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs indicated that such conflicts tend to affect the
people at the local level; that nationals of the two countries may become intolerant of
each other. That even though there is more to restore normally in the relation of the two
governments there is need to prevent such a situation from reoccurring; that both
countries should adopt preventive diplomatic strategies in order to prevent a repetition.
The committee call for a constructive engagement between the two national assemblies
marked by exchange visits of delegations who should discuss with the executive of the
two countries and hold joint meetings with media institutions to sensitise the public and
prevent them from promoting a narrow nationalist agenda. The committee thanked the
Secretary of state for his prompt response to it's invitation and promised to make follow
ups on developments. It was resolved that the media should be taken on board in building
trust between the two peoples and their decision making institutions; that they should
seek not to tilt reports to promote ill feelings between the people of the two countries.
The committee tried to ascertain whether Gambians in Bissau are not subjected to any
harassment and the Secretary of State assured that the situation is being normalized by
both the Gambia and Guinea Bissau authorities and reports so far do not call fo any alarm
of concern.
The Standing Committee met the press who were addressed by the Deputy Speaker,
serving as chairperson, the Minority leader serving as the raportteur for the meeting,
Honourable Hamat Bah Bah serving as Vice Chairperson, nominated Ramzia Diab and
member for Kantora who served as resource persons.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heavy Rains Flood Compounds
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many compounds along the Serrekunda-Mandinaba road under construction between Ebo
Town and Churchill's Town have experienced flooding to a level never experienced by
residents of such compounds before. The construction of the Serrekunda-Mandinaba
highway resumed in earnest recently. Apparently measures have not been taken to avoid
flooding as the construction of the highway got on the way. In fact barriers such as heaps
of sand and other rubbles have been placed at junctions leading to the high way and
therefore threaten the flooding of compounds in the area. This threat became a reality in
the early hours of
Sunday morning when residents of Ebo Town and Churchill's Town where woken up by
the floods.
According to one Modou Yahya Jobarteh he got up at 5am only to discover water close to
the edge of his bed. When he rush to open his door he found the whole compound was
flooded. He then rushed to wake up his other residents of the compound and all of them
found a similar situation in their room.
Mr. Jobarteh lamented that they had to take out their household belongings such as
beds, clothings, cupboards, suitcases and food items which got wet in muddy water. He
said effort was made to clear the water from their bedrooms. Apart from bedrooms the
shops along the western part of the high way under construction from the Churchill's
Town bus stop to Mandela Cinema in Ebo Town were mostly flooded. The businessman
whose shop was affected by the flood was Dembo Conteh who reside in Kah Kunda in
Churchill's Town. Apart from his shop his household materials were equally affected. Even
the fire station in Churchill's Town was not spared, it's premises was flooded.
The inhabitants around the Churchill's Town main gutter said they have never witnessed
floods right in their houses before. They urged the government and the KMC to use a
preventive measure without delay before more heavy rain fall.
Residents around Super Bird and Bus Stop Shop said that flood in their compounds
should have long been a thing of the past. They say that the authorities are fully aware of
their situation because that is the road that used to go to the airport in the frequent trips
abroad.
The area most seriously affected by the flood lies on the site opposite Super Bird. The
Inhabitants of this compounds spared a good part of the day trying to tackle the problems
posed by the floods. The streets leading to the high way usually lack gutters. Only one
has a gutter which is blocked with sand and other filths. It's junction is also blocked.
Thus there is no exit for the water collecting at this point.
The situation needs to be addressed with urgency. Before we get to the rainy season
proper gutters have to be emptied to facilitate the flow of water. Water waye have to be
created to also facilitate the flow of water and avoid ground pools. This will facilitate
sanitary conditions especially in places like Sandika where food items such as fruits,
grains and other crops are sold to the public.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Focus On The Gambia's Economic Situation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have been focusing on the Economic situation of the Gambia, the objective of which
is to create awareness among Gambians on economic and social issues because the
economy of any nation determines almost every thing relating to the lives of the people in
that country.
We have earlier on analysed Gambia's trade deficits, budget deficits, debt burden as well
as policies which were adopted with a view to solving the above deficits but despite
intervention of the IMF, the World Bank, etc those economic problems continue up to
today.
We have looked at the GDP as well as the GNP to see if Gambians are farring better and
discovered that the average person's life in this country is getting more and more difficult.
We have also looked at Different Sectors, The Public sector as well as the private sector
and see that theb unemployment situation has not been tackled, instead it is getting
aggravated. We have also delved into the Agricultural sector, the Tourism sector as well
as the Education Sector in the last two issues.
This time, we will continue to quote from ( The Gambia Human Development Report 2000)
and follow its analysis on ( The Liberalisation experience in the Gambia) and the
privatisation experience which followed.
The Liberalisation Experience In The Gambia In order to participate in the global
economy, countries, including those in Africa and, for that matter, The Gambia, are
expected to open up to international trade, remove barriers to foreign investment reduce
corporate regulations and taxes, as well as other disincentives to economic activities.
The SAPs of the 1980s and 1990s have been implemented with these goals in mind.
In order to participate in the global economy, the Gambia Government has affected trade
policy measures that could, to some extent be termed liberal, in order to create the
required environment for a truly open economy. In 1985, under the World Bank supported
Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), The Gambia moved towards liberal and free
market policies driven by the private sector.
Agricultural subsidies were removed, the Gambia Produce Marketing Board (GPMB),
which was responsible for groundnut purchasing, processing and marketing, was
privatised along with other measures.
The Gambia has since maintained a liberal trade regime featuring the absence of import
or export licensing requirements. There are also no restrictions on the quality of goods
that can be imported or exported. Foreign exchange transactions have also been
liberalised since the floating of the Gambian Dalasi in 1985. The Gambia's trade policy
before May 1998 was classified in the category of a 'moderate' trade regime, according to
IMF definition. That is, it had an average tariff rate between 11 and 25 per cent, this made
The Gambia's trade policy in reality, not a fully open economy. However, in May 1998, a
customs tariff reduction exercise recommended by the IMF, resulted in a reduction of the
average rate to 9.9 per cent. This has in effect, placed The Gambia in the open economy (
a rate of 10 per cent or below) category according to IMF definition. demonstrating yet
another move towards integration into the global economy.
Paradoxically, globalisation increases the demand for social insurance whilst decreasing
the capacity to provide it. The removal of agricultural products which could not compete in
the world market, thereby worsening the welfare of Gambian farmers. In the aftermath of
liberalisation, and in the face of rapid population growth, poverty increased by 36
percentage points ( from 33 per cent of the population in 1992/93 to 69 per cent in 1998).
Social conditions deteriorated, weakening the foundation for human development. For
example, infant mortality rate increased from 92 per thousand for both sexes in 1993 to
144 and 122 per thousand for male and female respectively in 1998 (1998 HPS). In
addition, export performance declined from D540.6 million in 1992/93 to D228.4 million in
1995/96. The country's balance-of -payments (BOP) situation worsened from - D516.7 in
1992/93 to -D787.2 in 1996/97 and the debt burden increased.
The Privatisation Experience In The Gambia
As part of the SAPs implemented by The Gambia with the support of the Bretton Woods
Institutions (BWIs), a number of strategic parastatals were privatised this accounted for
21 per cent of all export earnings.
The privatisation of GPMB had an adverse impact on the Gambian economy. In fact the
sale of the enterprise took place under not too transparent conditions. In terms of total
value added to the overall economy, national incomes that were
completely marketing and processing of groundnuts and its derivatives formed the
backbones of the manufacturing sector during the 1970s and 1980s.
The privatisation also resulted in retrenchment of workers at almost all establishments of
the enterprise. This resulted in poverty increase and creation of "Ghost Towns" in
potential growth centres in the rural areas that is, Kaur and Kuntaur in the Central River
Division.
The privatisation of GPMB resulted in replacement of locally produced oil with cheap
imported vegetable ones. This undermines local production and entrepreneurship and
reduces job opportunities for Gambians.
Privatisation of The Gambia Utilities Corporation (GUC) to various companies did not
achieve the desired result. Despite the various hands they passed through, with
corresponding changes in names and acronyms (from GUC to MSG to UHC) the utility
sector continued to deteriorate with ever-worsening quality of service delivery. This
impacted negatively on manufacturing/agro-processing, businesses, and investors'
perception of the environment for foreign direct investment, and on individual households.
To be continued
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mariama Denton V/S FJC and Daily Observer Company
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the case was called, Hawa Sisay Sabally rose up to indicate he presence for the
plaintiff Mariama Denton who was present in person while Amie Joof Conteh appeared for
Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay who was absent and OD Mbaye was present for the Daily
Observer Company. Justice Savage then went ahead to read his rulings on the objection
of the two defense counsels, during the first day of the sitting on the case, against the
tendering of the copy of the daily observer of 10th May 2001, the grounds of their
objection was unproper custody. Justice Savage however in his ruling set aside the
objections of the defense counsels in favour of plaintiff.
Sitting of 3rd July 2002
The appearance remains the same as on the 2nd day of July 2002 for both the plaintiff
and the defense. Mariama Denton then went into the witness box. Hawa Sisay then
asked her if she has the 10th day of May 2001 copy of the daily observer; captioned
Juwara says, Mariama Denton said yes. She was further asked to read the story which
she did. Further asked whether there was any mention of corruption or commission of
enquiry in that story, she replied in the negative.
Again asked if the name of the first defendant was mentioned in the story, Mariama again
replied in the negative. Hawa then continued the examination of Mariama Denton as thus:
Q. Who is the Mariama Denton mentioned in the story?
A. It is me.
Q. Did Juwara refer to any particular person as an opportunist?
A. No.
Q. Did the story make mention of any other name other than these three names?
A. No.
Q. Did you see any other publication on the 11th of May 2001.
A. Yes the story is captioned Juwara is finished in reaction to the publication of 10th May
2001.
Q. Have you got the copy of 11th May 2001?
A. Yes.
Hawa Sisay applied to tender the copy and indicated that she was relying on the ruling of
the 2nd July 2002 of the same case. At this point OD Mbaye counsel for the second
defendant the daily observer objected to the tender of the copy of 11th May 2001on the
same grounds as forwarded in the tendering of the copy of 10th May 2001 exhibit A. in his
ruling Justice Savage over ruled the objection on the ground as indicated in his ruling of
2nd July 2002 as circumstances are the same.
Mariama was then questioned where is the story captioned "Juwara is finished," while
holding the daily observer copy of 11th May 2001, she said in the front page.
Q. In the reaction if FJC did she indicate any women organization that she is representing
or was she reacting in her personal capacity?
A. In her personal capacity.
Q. Mariama Denton was further referred to page two of the paper where FJC reacted to
the 3 women praised by Juwara as mentioned in the story, she read the portion which
said the three are women whose brothers and husbands are affected by the report of
Algali Commission as corrupt.
Q. Among the three of you, does this description suit any of you?
A. The witness Mariama Denton said it is myself.
Amie Joof Conteh then rose up to object to the questions on the grounds that exhibit A
had made mention of the vice president, APRC and went further to say and many others.
She then submitted that to say that portion only suits the plaintiff should not be taken by
the court.
In her reply counsel Conteh submitted that there is no objection before the court. She
indicated that objections are raised on lines of questioning. She submitted that Madam
Conteh's line is a matter for address. Hawa referred the court to paragraph 9 and 10 of the
main affidavit of complaint. That the complaint of the plaintiff had arose out of those
courses of action before the court. That is if one such course of action which the question
is aimed at. She urged the court to dismiss the objection as it is not a point of law.
Amie Joof Conteh again said that she believes that the aim of her objection is
misconceived, that it is not against what was printed in the newspaper but against the
question if of the witness on what or whom she think is referred to in the reaction of her
client.
However the judge advocate justice Savage in his second instant ruling over ruled the
question on the ground that even though counsel for the plaintiff did not make any mention
of the word persey but that the answer to the question of the plaintiff's lawyer could be
speculative.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Press Conference By The Secretary General of Local Bread (Tapalapa) Association Ad-
hoc Committee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Proper Information Is The Key That Spelt Out Doubts In Our Society Without Which
There Is Always False Rumor Mongering"
On Wednesday 3rd July 2002, the Secretary General of the local bread (Tapalapa)
producers, ad-hoc committee Mr. Edrisa Jallow called a press conference at his
residence in Bakau to talk to the press about the situation regarding their industry, which
of course include the current increase of bread price by other bread producers.
I thank you all for coming to attend to this press conference designed to discuss one of
the burning issues in town, that is the bread crisis, the price increase. If you can recall
one month ago all of a sudden, the price of bread rose from D2.00 to D2.50 that generated
a public out cry. As some of our colleagues, only Senfour industry thought it was wise for
them to increase the price without proper consultation with us the local bread producers
industry.
After realizing that they are not in full tract of the market, but in fact they produce more
than 300 bags of flour a day in the Greater Banjul Area, while on the other hand tapalapa
industry is producing 1000 bags a day and can take up the market they the Senfuor
industry decided to bring down the price to D2.00.
Notwithstanding some of them have resorted to use various pressures on those running
tapalapa ovens to either comply on the price increase or face penalties that are best
known to them.
In fact some public servants were used to intimidate some of this local bread producers
but we are warning any public servant who happen to read this interview or press
conference not to do any thing that will undermine public interest.
For we in the local bread (tapalapa) industry are aware of the fact that the income levels of
the public is not equal and therefore some families find it difficult to cook their daily meals
every day, some go for two days without a meal. And we realize that tapalapa
supplements this needed situation. We though it wise to be dictated by our conscience
and continue to sell at the same price even if we are to make meager profit and not to
create problems for the poor people who do not have a voice in determining the price of
any commodity in this country.
We are not saying that when the price of flour becomes unbearable to customers that we
will not increase the price of bread but it must be done in consultation with all stake
holders in the bread industry and the public also must be informed and given notice if
such a situation arises.
There are about 250 tapalapa ovens in the Greater Banjul Area and they produce almost
1000 bags as oppose to the estimated 300 bags of flour for the senfour bread producers,
though the average tapalapa ovens bake only four bags of flour a day their moderate
operation is different from that of other bakeries hence they share profit with their
employees. For example for each dozen produced in the oven and sold by a sales
person, a commission of D2.00 is given to the sales agent, and D30.00 is given to the
three bakers who bake every bag of flour and D40.00 goes to the proprietor of the bakery
who also take care of the cost of maintenance.
So, if you look closely you will realise that out of the 1000 bags produced a day, tapalapa
gives D30,000.00 to the bakers every day which is equivalent to D900,000.00 a month.
For in essence you realize that tapalapa in the Greater Banjul Area is contributing directly
to stemming down unemployment in this country, though with meager profit and the D2.1
million dalasis being distributed among tapalapa workers goes a long way in
supplementing employment. It is important to allow that we work in spirit of happiness
and for any one who is working under tapalapa is working as a c0-partner of the oven
industry.
We do hear people talking or mentioning about standards there and here is good, but as I
think it is the interest of every genuine Gambian to maintain standard and such standards
should be practiced by the authorities, and the standard should go to benefit each and
every one in the bread industry in order to serve the public interest.
So in trying to stream line locally made bread may affect the socio-economic foundation
of the industry and this will not help the poor people who are at the moment consumers of
tapalapa bread.
Out of the 1000 bags of flour produced, 210,000 loaves of bread is being distributed daily,
such demand cannot be met by any other bread industry.
I seize this opportunity therefore on behalf of my colleagues in the tapalapa industry and
on my own behalf to thank the general public in supporting and standing by us to defend
them from buying bread at an excessive high price or rate.
After the Secretary General of the ad-hoc committee of the tapalapa association Edrisa
Jallow's briefing of the current situation regarding their industry to the press, he was
asked whether the increase of the price of bread by other
senfour and others has any thing to do with the current floating of the Dalasi, Mr. Jallow
replied that the price increase in flour have affected almost all sectors but what they are
saying is that the size of bread has been manipulated and they are able to come out with
profit and the people can afford D2.00, they should not manipulate the size and at the
same time increase the price. He said, you should either increase the size of your bread
and increase the price or be producing your bread the way you produce it and maintain
the price. There must be a corresponding effect Mr. Jallow said, if that was the case then
they would not have dropped the price for no one twisted their arms and told them they
must drop the price.
So it seems he said as if there was a silent battle that was going on in the past months
and the people are trying within crisis to patronize the tapalapa industry in their type of
meal. If such co-operations exist between the private sector and the people, then both the
private sector and the general public will gain their worth of it, that is precisely what is
important but not to actually say that the price of flour has risen from D190.00 to D265.00.
You have also started to produce 600 loaves of bread in every mixture of dozens that
resembles instead of 500 loaves of bread. In tapalapa we use to produce 17 dozens per
bag, now we are producing 20 dozens per bag.
So you can realize that we are also minimizing the size of bread, so the only time that we
should increase the price is when we all sit together and ensure that we are going to
increase the size of the bread and tell the general public that this is what is involved and
this is how we intend to do it in order to satisfy you.
Mr. Jallow was also asked to clarify more in his briefing to the press members warning
some civil servants to distance themselves from the bread industry.
Mr. Jallow said, he does not want to mention any name which is not proper these were
two public servants who were used I understand to come to us telling us that we are
creating an imbalance in the market and therefore if we are not careful the closure of
tapalapa industry would be eminent and realizing this, we decide to call on a press
conference and tell the people what is happening and I think in every country that is
talking on food self sufficiency is a necessary prerequisite. Make food affordable, make it
accessible to the general public, ask about whether there is good rapport between the
local bread producers and the senfour industry. Mr. Jallow told reporters that it is not, but
until recently when the price of bread took place and they the local bread producers
refuse to join them, they, the senf0ur industry realize that the tapalapa bread producers is
a force to be reckoned with, they sent an envoy to them, but were told that it was too late.
They were told that before announcing their senfour new bread price, going to the radio,
telling the people what they wanted to tell them, they should just have consulted the
tapalapa industry to discuss it together and come up with a proposal to the general public
and the general public too to have access to the discussions whereby a healthy debate
can emerge and what ever comes out of it, all of them will know that is what is real, then
people will not refuse to buy the bread they will realize that there are conditions that must
have compelled price increase and therefore they will buy the bread with satisfaction from
all of them, because they will know that they the tapalapa industry and the senfour have
civic responsibilities of distributing food to the general public.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: FOROYAA (Freedom) NO: 39/2002 8 - 10 July, 2002 ISSN: 0796- 08573
Address: FOROYAA, P.O.Box 2306, Serrekunda, The Gambia, West Africa
Telephone: (220) 393177 Fax: (220) 393177
Email address: [log in to unmask]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
