" Now to answer those who seem to think that Gambians do not value rule of
law, good governance, human rights etc. let me just say that you must be
deluding yourselves if that is what you think. There is nothing farther from
the truth and reality on the ground is there for all to see. What the
majority of Gambians living here and support Jammeh and his government are
saying is that, we have our priorities. Someone who is dirty and needs a
bath cares more for water than soap. Someone on a long journey and tired of
walking does not care whether he gets a lift from donkey cart driver, horse
cart driver or limousine driver. For one in that position, getting a lift is
more of a priority than the mode of transport. "
Mr Gassama,
But what else in the world can anyone value more than life??
Regards
Manneh
-----Original Message-----
From: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jungle Sunrise
Sent: 05 February 2002 10:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: A recent trip to Gambia
Dampha,
Since you are very obsessed with the lengths of the roads that Jammeh has
constructed or are being constructed, I will give you some figures that are
readily available.
The Kombo Coastal highway is a network of first class roads linking most
of the major settlements of the Kombo coast, particularly those actively
involved in fishing. The total length of the road networks is 80 Km.
I don’t know the distance between Essau and Kerewan, but since you seem to
know everything, I am sure you would have a fairly good idea of the
distance. Incidentally, the construction of this stretch of road also
included the construction of the longest bridge in The Gambia (350 Metres)
across the Miniminiyang Bolong.
The Banjul to Sere Kunda dual carriageway is being extended from Westfield
Clinic to just after the airport where it links up with one of the Kombo
Coastal network of roads that takes you to the heart of the Tourism
Development Area (TDA). I mean the Senegambia hotel area.
From Yundum airport, the road narrows to a single carriageway all the way
to Soma. Again you should have a fairly good idea of the distance.
A contract has already been signed for the construction of the stretch
from Fara Feni to Lamin Koto (Janjangbureh, formerly George Town).
The trans-Gambia road, which is very important for trans-Gambian trade, is
also being constructed.
The European Union has pledged to fund the resurfacing of the Soma to
Basse stretch this year, and these works are expected to start soon.
These are just a few of the roads built or are being built. I have
deliberately left out the other network of small roads and the many bridges
built elsewhere in the country just shorten by response.
Now to answer those who seem to think that Gambians do not value rule of
law, good governance, human rights etc. let me just say that you must be
deluding yourselves if that is what you think. There is nothing farther from
the truth and reality on the ground is there for all to see. What the
majority of Gambians living here and support Jammeh and his government are
saying is that, we have our priorities. Someone who is dirty and needs a
bath cares more for water than soap. Someone on a long journey and tired of
walking does not care whether he gets a lift from donkey cart driver, horse
cart driver or limousine driver. For one in that position, getting a lift is
more of a priority than the mode of transport.
Here, in the Greater Banjul Area, many would rather be seen dead than be
seen riding in a 404/505 (commonly called Kart san Mbar). Go to Dakar and
guess what; the most beautiful of ladies ride in what we, in Gambia, shun
and call Gele-Geles. Even though most of our public transport busses are new
and air-conditioned, most of our so-called sophisticated folks in the GBA
would not ride in them. These same people would queue or scramble for Kart
san Mbarrs when they get to Fara Feni and want to travel to Kaur, Kuntaur or
Janjangbureh. Is it because they are unwell, unconscious or just exercising
their right to choose?
Growing up in Kuntaur, drinking river water with all its risks, are you
people crazy to tell me not to appreciate it when the government brings us
clean drinking water from a borehole that is treated and monitored? Are some
of you for real, questioning our sanity or consciousness when we say that
access to clean drinking water, education, health, markets, energy etc, etc
are more of a priority to us than the other intangibles such as your
understanding of what human rights are? Who cares about human rights when
one is hungry or sick? Who cares about human rights when one is uneducated
and unemployed? Who cares about good governance when there is civil war? We
are more pre-occupied with providing those things, the lack of which has
wrecked havoc in our sub-region. If some of you fail to understand these
basic things because of your hatred of Jammeh, then there is very little any
of us can do about that.
However, like it or not, our people have made a clear choice. The
development of the key sectors of our society such as roads, clean drinking
water, clinics and hospitals, schools and agricultural inputs are more of a
priority to us than your so-called perception of what constitutes human
rights. Curtailing our rapid population growth and feeding our people are
more of a priority than all your notions of human rights and good
governance. That, in essence, is my take on the issue.
Have a good day, Gassa.
There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to see,
yet small enough to solve. -Mike- Levitt-
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