Prince,

I am sorry but I am not Daddy Nying and I don't know that song but it sounds
nice. Unfortunately I cannot explain how Kebba Jobe was transformed into
Daddy Nying.

You wrote "I must first of all say that I used to know one Daddy Nying whom
we used to sing a song for that goes: "Daddy le we pick am, en was am,we eat
am......". If you happen to be that Daddy Nying, then consider this piece as
not sent." Let me say I am very baffled by it.

Thanks for enlightening about what the Gambia-L forum is and is not.

Now to the issues I wrote about earlier.
You said "It is the very custom of people of your caliber to highlight the
lofty project that the Gambia Government is engaged in forget the plight of
the people in the gutter. In your piece you did not mention anything about
the ordinary man. All you talk about are some lofty project, which have
nothing to do with the average Gambian."

I think either you totally missed the point or I did not make myself very
clear. You see, when I talk about agriculture, education, health, roads and
bridges, these are issues that are crucial to the lives of the ordinary
people of this country.

You said "The use of the sunday afternoon programme is now being made an
evidence of the government's  good intensions towards the media. When few
months ago this very radio station was a target of a dastardly arson attack,
which many people placed at the doorstep of Yaya Jammeh and his hooligans.
The mention of Jawara in this segment goes also to allege that most of us
who oppose the Jammeh's demonic regime are all pro-Jawara. Why do
intelligent people like you always bring up Jawara when we discuss
shortcomings of the Jammeh regime? As far as I am personally concerned, Sir
Dawda Kairab Jawara is a "past participle" in Gambian affairs". Again I
think you may have misunderstood me. What I meant concerning the radio show
was that nowadays the regime is more accomodating to diverse opinions than
ever before. As for the arson attack on the radio, this was condemned by all
and sundry. I personally abhor such acts as they can be very dangerous and
often poor innocent people can be caught in it. Let me make it clear at this
stage that anything I post on forum concerning the government means exactly
that i.e the entire government and not Yahya Jammeh, the president. When I
wrote "the Jawara era", I meant his various governments and not him
personally. I have a lot of respect for the old man and knowing were he came
from, his achievements both personally and for the nation, any fair minded
person should be impressed. However as far as I am concerned, it is a bit
early to make a very fair comparison between Yahya Jammeh and Sir D.K.
Jawara and I hold the same opinion about comparing their governments. I am
sure you will agree with me when I say that it will be very difficult for us
to discuss issues concerning our dear country and our lives and aspirations
without referring to Yahya Jammeh or Sir D.K. Jawara as individuals or their
governments.

On the issue of the 150 recent graduands of the university of The Gambia, it
was to give some insight as to what such a trend could do for the country.
It will be most unfair of me or even naive to give credit of their success
to any one else but themselves. I merely wanted to highlight government's
role as the facilitator.

For the nonpayment of teachers wages, I know very little of that and I will
be very disturbed to hear that the government has difficulty paying the
wages of its staff when the president is consistently being reported as
personally donating various sums of money and vehicles.

For The Gambia to develop, I think you will agree with that the development
of its human resource base is an absolute. Therefore the building of schools
and supply of computers can be very useful. As for reliable electricity
supply, I did not mention it in my post but it was announced some weeks ago
that government had secured a big loan for rural electrification. It was
also announced recently that the Taiwanese government was to help in the
energy sector.

On the issue of First Lady, Zainab, going to have her baby in the US instead
of The Gambia, I think it was a personal issue. However I personally think
that it was a most inappropriate thing to do. My reason is very simple. The
President is the number citizen of the country and as such he should have
been the first to discourage this practice if he really believed in his own
government's Vission 2020 document.

"Bordofelt". I believe you meant "Board of Health" which our uneducated
forebearers could not pronounce correctly. This you know is not the same as
"Medicine" or "Health" act.

For the electrification of 98% of the country by July, let's wait and see.
Personally, I think it's a big Dream.

Finally you wrote "Daddy, in your balance sheet of Jammeh's achievements,
you failed to address issues that worrying people, namely: ...". Well am
sorry my intention was to share information about recent developments in our
country as I have witness from my own humble opinion and not to catalogue
all the alledged misdeeds of the government. I am of the opinion that a lot
has already been said about them and will continue to be so for a long time
to come. If, however  you want to know my opinion about them, that's simple.
I condemn all forms of:
1. INTIMIDATION.
2. VIOLATION OF PEOPLE'S HUMAN RIGHTS.
3. MURDER MOST FOUL.
4. ARBITRARY ARREST.
5. UNWARRANTED,ILLEGAL, UNNECESSARY, etc,etc DETENSION.
6. CORRUPTION.
7. BAD LEGISLATION.
8. VIOLENCE

I hope this clarified a bit what I had intended.

Have good day and bye 4 Now.

>From: Prince Obrien-Coker <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: ATTN: Daddy Nying - Re: Let us respect expression of views
>Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 22:55:20 +0100
>
>Mr Dear Mr. Daddy Nying,
>
>I must first of all say that I used to know one Daddy Nying whom we used to
>sing
>a song for that goes:
>"Daddy le we pick am, en was am,we eat am......". If you happen to be that
>Daddy
>Nying, then consider
>this piece as not sent. If not, will you please bear with me for the points
>you
>have made. First and
>foremost, The Gambia-L is not a forum of anti-Gambian Progress. The true
>anti-Gambians I met do
>not even want to talk about Gambia. They usually go about telling people
>that
>they are Ebrima Ceesay's
>20th message did not, in any way, dispute the points you mentioned, that
>was not
>even the gist of his
>discourse.
>Remember, Ebrima's source is a Civil Servant like you. He toured the
>country and
>came with the
>experience of his encountered with the peolple. Judging from your
>narration, he
>must have passed
>many of the PROJECTS your mentioned, but he was out to tell about the
>suffering
>he saw when
>he met the people. It is the very custom of people of your caliber to
>highlight
>the lofty Project that
>the Gambia Government is engaged in forget the plight of the people in the
>gutter. In your piece you
>did not mention anything about the ordinary man. All you talk about are
>some
>lofty project, which
>have nothing to do with the the average Gambian.
>Shall we please examine some of the points you ennumerated:
>
>1. GOVERNANCE:
>I do not see how a two-hour talk programme over Radio One FM has anything
>to do
>with good governance, for there are Authoritarian regimes in the world
>where a
>minute of talking against the government is not tolerated and yet they have
>what
>could be called good governance. The use of the Sunday afternoon Radio One
>FM
>programme is now  being made an evidence of the goverment's good
>intentions towards the media. When few months ago this very radio station
>was a
>target of a dastardly arson attack, which many people placed at the
>doorstep of
>Yaya Jammeh and his hooligans. The mention of Jawara in this segment goes
>also
>to allege that most of us who oppose the Jammeh's demonic regime are all
>pro-Jawara.
>Why do intelligent people like you always bring up Jawara when we discuss
>the
>shortcomings of the Jammeh regime? As far as I am personally concerned, Sir
>Dawda Kairaba
>Jawara is a "past participle" in Gambian affairs. We can never take away
>the
>fact that he led us
>to Independence and became the first President. The first 5 years of
>Jawara's
>rule,
>were the best period since the Gambia became Independent. Also bear in mind
>that
>90% of
>Jawara's last cabinet were not originally members of the PPP. If then, in
>your
>opinion Jawara was bad,
>then I will tell you that Yahya Jammeh is "BADDER".
>By the way, GOOD GOVERNANCE is not a situation, it is the manner in which a
>Government functions.
>
>2. EDUCATION
>You said: "A couple of weeks back over 150 people graduated with bachelors
>degrees from the university of The Gambia." Are we to commend the
>government for
>it or the hard working parents who sacrificed everything to give their
>children
>a good education and the student themselves for working hard to attain
>their
>degrees.
>You also said: "Last year the government built 237 schools throughout the
>country under IDA sponsoreship, through the medium of Gamworks agency." Was
>it
>not few weeks ago that we read in the national newspapers that teachers
>were
>going for months without being paid? I am neither a mathematician nor an
>Economist, but simple arithmetic I do know. 237 schools at 6 classes a
>school
>calls for 6 times 237 teachers and if the present teachers are struggling
>for
>their November/December 2000 salary. From where in God's name are we going
>to
>pay these new teachers? Thanks for the notification of the tender of  "Lot
>1: 20
>servers, 480 desktop computers, 20 hubs, 20 server UPS, 160 PC
>UPS, 40 Printers and various software and accessories. Lot 2 20 split unit
>airconditioners." This may be good news to some unscrupulous dealers who
>do not care about the realities in the country, but in real sense what do
>all
>these
>apparatuses mean without the stable function of NAWEC? I am yet to learn of
>a
>UPS that can hold electricity for more that 45 minutes. A UPS is merely a
>contingency apparatus. If ever computer is to be provided with UPS, that
>says a
>lot the regular Electricity Supplier. With effective Nawec, no Institution
>in
>the Gambia needs 20 UPS's for 20 Servers. You did not mention aught about
>the
>functionality of NAWEC.
>
>3. HEALTH.
>You wrote "The number of private clinics capable of x-Rays surgery etc
>number
>over 10. A  National blood transfussion and maintenance policy and updating
>healt policy, medicines act and health act is to be formualted this year."
>Are
>we to go on our
>knees and thank Yahya Jammeh for the achievement of the private medical
>sector.
>In fact it is a darned shame that the private medical sector is more
>prosperous
>than the
>government in a country like. If things are going so good medically in the
>Gambia,
>why didn't Zainab Jammeh delivered her baby in the Gambia? But the poor
>Gambian
>taxpayer had to "foot the bill" for her travel and delivery in some
>five-star
>clinic in the States.
>If you can boost of the private clinics in the country, why did Jammeh
>allow her
>to travel to
>the States to deliver her child instead of one these clinics you are
>talking
>about.
>There is always a "medicines and health act" in the Gambia, popularly known
>as
>"Bordofelt" which worked perfectly. Why should one be formulated 37 years
>after Independence?
>
>4. THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY.
>In this section you talked about "You will recall that last year government
>distributed 36 tractors throughout the country allowing farmers to hire
>them at next to nothing". What I, and many, honestly recall was that the
>tractors were a personally gift from Yahya Jammeh.
>Finally, you gave us a lot of figure involved in the building of trunk
>roads in
>the country. That is fine, as far as I am concerned, but remember that last
>July, Yahya Jammeh told the nation that by this July 98% of the country
>will be
>electrified.
>I am waiting to see his word come true.
>Daddy, in your balance sheet of Jammeh's achievements, you failed to
>address
>issues that are worrying people, namely:
>1.) Why was Pap Cheyassin  Secka appointed 20 days before the student
>massacre
>       and fired 10 days after nullifying the reports? Not that I feel for
>him.
>2.) Why were innocent children gunned-down for expressing their grievances?
>3.) Who gave the orders to shoot at the children? Somebody must have.
>4.) Why was Radio One FM attacked by wayward arsonists
>4.) The death of Koro Ceesay is still in our minds. Can you please supply
>some
>      answers to the circumstances surrounding his death?
>5.) Why do farmers not receive their payment on time?
>6.) In the absence of  "SONYAROCRACY", what made Yahya Jammeh one
>      of the richest men in the region?
>7.) What is Dumo Saho and the rest of the innocent people doing in jail?
>8.) Why is the NIA picking on anybody who disagrees with Yahya's policies?
>
>If only you could give me some answers to the above questions.
>
>Prince
>__________________________________________________________________________
>"If you want to read or hear good things about Yaya, go read the Observer
>or
>listen to GRTS".
>KB Dampha
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Daddy Nying <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 17:15
>Subject: Re: Let us respect expression of views
>
>
>Thanks a bunch Latir,
>
>You've really hit the nail on the head. If every one dealt with all issues
>as you suggest, we will all be wiser for it. Many a times certain issues of
>common interest are posted on the L which sometimes require a more balance
>approach but unfortunately some people will never accept the that not every
>living and working for the government is an APRC or government crony.
>Having said that I would like to share with all some possitive things I
>have
>noticed living in The Gambia to counter Ebrima Ceessay's 20th message about
>the deplorable state of things in The Gambia in general and in the
>provinces
>in particular.
>In that post Ebrima quoted his source lamenting the deplorable and sorry
>state of affairs throught the country in General and in the provinces in
>particular. I live and work in The Gambia and a civil servant for that
>matter. However that does not in any way mean I have to accept as normal
>everything that is happening. All those who visited our country recenlt
>will
>surely appreciat developments now taking place in the country. I will
>catalogue a few of these in this post.
>
>1. GOVERNANCE:
>The governance situation has improved significantly. The regime is much
>more
>tolerant of critisms than ever before. Radio one FM has a 2hour program on
>sundays were all sorts of topics are discussed freely by panelists
>comprising of members of opposition parties, civil servants and the general
>public. People are encouraged to call and express their views freely
>without
>any inteferance what so ever. Topics that dominated these discussions
>recently were the rejection of the commision of enquiry and coroner's
>report
>by government, the sacking of Pap Cheyasin and the failure of president
>Jammeh to disclose the source of his wealth. And in all honesty, no one in
>his right mind would would have dared express such views over the airwaves,
>lets say last year or any other preceeding year including during
>Expresident
>Jawara's era. Newspapers are flourishing and only a few weeks ago another
>private radio station, City Limits started broadcasting.
>
>2. EDUCATION
>A couple of weeks back over 150 people graduated with bachelors degrees
>from
>the university of The Gambia. Last year the government built 237 schools
>throughout the country under IDA sponsoreship, through the medium of
>Gamworks agency. The EU project and OPEC fund have financed has financed
>the
>construction of 2 new middle schools in Western division and a Girl's
>Scholarship Trust Fund has been established to encourage girl's education.
>This year government gave full scholarships to over 150 people to undertake
>undergraduate studies. Currently under the Gambia Third Education Sector
>Project tenders are out for the supply of:-
>Lot 1: 20 servers, 480 desktop computers, 20 hubs, 20 server UPS, 160 PC
>UPS, 40 Printers and various software and accessories.
>Lot 2 20 split unit airconditioners.
>
>
>3. HEALTH.
>The AFPRC hospital in Farafeni is fully operational and the Bwiam hospital
>is at a very advanced stage. construction on the sere Kunda Hospital to be
>built in buffer zone next to the Kaninfing  layout is soon to begin. The
>number of private clinics capable of x-Rays surgery etc number over 10. A
>National blood transfussion and maintenance policy and updating healt
>policy, medicines act and health act is to be formualted this year.
>
>4. THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY.
>Specific increases were registered this year in sorghum, millet, Rice and
>groundnuts. Infact groundnut production is estimated to be around 129,100
>metric tonnes this year, the highest since 1984. You will recall that last
>year government distributed 36 tractors throughout the country allowing
>farmers to hire them at next to nothing.
>Milling amchines of various types are being distributed throughout the
>country.
>The National Seeds development programme to be funded jointly by the
>Islamin
>Development Bank (IDA) and government to the tune of US $4 million and the
>Irrigated Rice Development Project joint funded by the Kuwaity fund and
>government to the tune of US $3.7 million are to start this year and last
>for 5 years.
>Later next month government will inaugurate the project for the
>improvementof fish preservation facilities for inland distribution.
>Construction works are in progress are in progress at Banjul beach for
>modern fish smoking houses for use by women fish smokers.
>The Artisanal Fisheries Development project, the biggest in the history of
>The Gambia to be jointly financed by the African Development Bank (ADB),
>the
>Arab Bank for the Economic development of Africa (BADEA) and government at
>a
>cost of US $13.47 million will be implemented over a 5 year period starting
>this year. The Fish processing plant at Tanje is nearing completion.
>30 wells are to be sunk in Southern URD this year of which 6 will be used
>as
>watering points for livestock. The RUral Water and Sanitation Project
>(RWDDP) and the Saudi Sahel Project (SSP3) are to continue rehabilitating
>existing wells, fitting hand pumps and Solar Powered Reticulation systems.
>
>6. WORKS, COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
>Work on the Essau/Kerewan Road and bridge has progressed significantly and
>the Kombo Coastal roads from Senegambia to Kartong, from Bijilo direct to
>the airport and Kartong to Brikama are almost complete. The 160.5 million
>Dalasi Westfield to Mandinaba road is in progress. This comprises the
>extension the Banjul highway dual carriage way to beyond the airport and
>continueing as a single carriage way to Mandinaba.The EU projects for the
>rehabilitation of the Basse/Yorobawol, Fatoto/Koina roads and Guju Guju are
>nearing completion. Studies for the rehabilitation of the Barra/Amdalai,
>Basse/Sabi, Transgambia, Mandinaba/Selety and Soma/Basse roads are to be
>launched end of March.
>A bill estblishinh the Gambia Roads Authority responsible of the
>construction and maintenance of all primary and secondary roads is to be
>set
>some time this year.
>February 7 saw the launch of the first direct air service between The
>Gambia
>and the USA.
>Thanks to Gamtel cyber caffes are abound every were and Gamtel is to
>commission a GSM mobile system in March.
>
>Subsequent posts will give an update of other areas.
>
>Bye 4 Now.
>
>
>
> >From: "Latir G. Downes-Thomas" <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> ><[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Let us respect expression of views
> >Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 16:15:50 -0500
> >
> >Greetings fellow members,
> >
> >I believe generally speaking, this forum has taken a huge anti-Jammeh
>slant
> >in the last two years.  I think this probably has more to do with events
> >back home than a cyber-conspiracy or anyhing of this nature.  As a
>result,
> >it seems as though members have felt the freedom to express their
> >anti-government views and news without fear where perhaps such a comfort
> >level may not have existed in past.
> >
> >Filling the void in freedom of expression is good and while the change in
> >atmosphere has not dampened my enthusiasm for the group, I have noticed
> >that recently, anyone with a pro-government view almost always finds
> >themselves practically driven off.  Of course many of these personalities
> >have added insult to their views and have deserved the backlash.
> >
> >In an effort to increase the depth of discussion however, I would suggest
> >we all find a way to welcome views that may differ from our own.
> >Personally, I would prefer to watch onfold, and perhaps participate in, a
> >debate about the the state of the Dalasi with views repectfully stated by
> >both sides than reading message after message of anti-Jammeh rhetoric,
> >which even in agreement I find monotonous and unappealing.
> >
> >Being able to respond to views on specifics of the message and not the
> >actual messenger is a quality that has been missing on this forum and the
> >lack of it is what, in my opinion, holds it back.  If we treated everyone
> >with a little more respect we would probably find more views expressed
>that
> >differ from the majority.  This can only force us to delve deeper into
>the
> >issues, our opinions and as a result provide more fruitfull discussion.
> >
> >If the likes of Tombong Saidy volunteer to share their views, we should
> >welcome and respect them.  Personally, I am more interested in the views
>of
> >Tombong, an educated, exposed gambian citizen and self-professed
>supporter
> >of the present regime, than of the Director of the Gambia Radio and
> >Television Service.  The latter could not possibly offer more than the
> >defense of his personal administration of a public institution, much like
>a
> >spokesman.  The former can add a perspective in discussion we have not
>had
> >much of a chance to contemplate recently.
> >
> >My message goes out to the Alieu S. Keita's as well.  It is not who you
>are
> >that really matters, it is what you have to say.  If you believe the
>views
> >expressed here are not representative of the state of affairs back home,
> >share your knowledge in a respectful manner.  There is practically
>nothing
> >you can say about Ebrima Ceesay that will change the favourable opinion
> >most here have of him.  Offer a different perspective to what he and his
> >sources have presented and believe me you, others will join you and the
> >balance you desire will take place.  We would all benefit from this
> >regardless of our opinions.
> >
> >Perhaps my take on all this is completely wrong and the real agenda of
>this
> >forum is to foster opposition to the present government and eventualy
>have
> >it changed.  If this is the case then I stand corrected and ask that I
>may
> >be excused.  I do know it was not started for this purpose.
> >
> >Peace,
> >
> >Latir
> >
> >----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
> >Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
> >You may also send subscription requests to
> >[log in to unmask]
> >if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write
>your
> >full name and e-mail address.
> >----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>_________________________________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
>Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
>You may also send subscription requests to
>[log in to unmask]
>if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your
>full
>name and e-mail address.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
>Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
>You may also send subscription requests to
>[log in to unmask]
>if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your
>full name and e-mail address.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask]
if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------