Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues

Issue No. 7/2005, 27-30 January, 2005

Editorial

IS GRTS AN APRC MEDIA OR A STATE MEDIA?

The Constitution states categorically in section 208 that "All state owned newspapers, journals, radio and television shall afford fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinion."

It is amazing that GRTS has deliberately ignored the Signing Ceremony for the establishment of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development. The BBC, RFI, Radio stations in Senegal and other International media and the non-governmental media in The Gambia covered the event.

As long as the state institutions are seen as the property of a President rather than the property of the people, the World will look down on the quality of governance in the country. Senegalese TV covers the views of all the parties in Senegal. This promotes an open society through freedom of debate.

It is this attitude of GRTS, which gives the impression that the non-governmental media is anti government. If the state media gave coverage to divergent views they would be like the non-governmental media. Gambians would then rely on the state media for information as they rely on the non-governmental media for credible information.

Since an Opposition Alliance has emerged, the public would like to know what their position is in the state of the media.

Article 3 of the Memorandum of Understanding, Paragraph (I) states that "The Alliance shall encourage the freedom of information through the creation of laws and practices that would safeguard the independence and impartiality of the public media and the freedom of the non-governmental media to disseminate information without censorship"

Let’s hope that the APRC regime will realise that it is isolating itself from world public opinion because of it’s intolerance of divergent views; let’s hope that common sense would prevail in due course.

FORMER IGP DETAINED

By Abdou F. B. Boye

Reappearing before the Paul Commission, Mr. Ebou Njie, a former Inspector General of Police who is currently detained at the NIA headquarters said he did not know anything pertaining to the Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000) one Mr. Bronse (purported to be the importer of the Marlboro) is claiming from him.

Testifying before Justice M. A. Paul on Wednesday 19th January 2005, Mr. Njie said he was under detention at the NIA in connection to Mr. Bronse’s claim that he (Njie) imported Marlboro to The Gambia without his consent. Mr. Njie who voluntarily made this revelation to the commission said he was from the NIA headquarters and would be returning there after his testimony. However, Justice Paul told the former Inspector General of Police that the commission could not do anything about his detention, adding that it is not within the jurisdiction of the commission.

Continuing his testimony, Mr. Njie said the matter is already in court. According to the witness, before venturing into the tobacco business following his retirement as a civil servant, he discussed the issue with his brother, Assan Jeng. He said it was as a result of this fact that he joined his brother’s firm (Mam Takku). He said he was told that the tobacco business is monopolized, noting that it was as a result of this advice that he decided to go to the Custom’s Director, the SoS for Finance and Trade and Industry Department to discuss the matter with them. He pointed out that he was given the green light by the tobacco business. Following his advice, he said he decided to import 2 containers (40 feet) in 2004 and paid 2 million and forty thousand dalasis respectively on duties.

Mr. Njie told the commission that the money he used to pay duties was from his business partner, a Chinese national from Taipei. He said before the arrival of the consignments, he met his partner in Hong Kong and told him that he needed money to pay duties.

He finally revealed that in 2004 he opened a business enterprise in his name called Min Ming Trading Enterprise and the office is at Duwa Jabbi Building. He said this business firm imported two (2) other containers of ladies shoes and few male shoes in 2004. Mr. Njie tendered all his two business firm documents and duty receipts to the commission. They were all admitted and marked.

Reports have it that Mr. Njie has been detained since last week Monday. He has been released occasionally allowing him to spend a total of two nights at home.



PRODUCER PRICES OF GROUNDNUT

By Abdoulie Dibba

In his contribution to the adjournment debate, the Minority Leader and member for Serrekunda Central, Hon. Halifa Sallah pointed out in the presence of the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Hon. Sulayman Mboob that the issues that were directed to him by the SoS were not his concerns. Halifa stressed that those who know his political thinking, know very well that they have been saying that the AMRC should have utilized all its resources in the groundnut industry; that they should have given capacity to the cooperative movement rather than just leave that industry to the dictates of the financial system. Halifa stressed that that is clearly their position. He pointed out that his position in this particular issue is very clear and that in the absence of a proper marketing system; that it is the country that has adopted liberal tendencies and that liberal tendencies require competition; that that is why he emphasized in his presentation that the world market price for groundnut is
 between D29, 000 to D32, 000 per tonne. Halifa questioned why farmers are given only D8,100; that the SoS for Agriculture has talked about the lack of financial capacity of the farmers to be able to buy farming inputs, but questioned how they are going to give that capacity to the farmers. Halifa said that by increasing the producer price they can bar the farmers from going to the neighbouring countries to sell the produce. Hon. Sallah pointed out that that is his contention and that it is good that the SoS has indicated that the regulatory framework they have prepared will be brought in the National Assembly to be translated into law. He said that these are his contentions and that was why he was driving his questions; that they were taking action that was not based on law but based on impunity. He further argued that they were relying on GPMB regulations and that those laws, Halifa said, may be there, but the set up has changed. He argued that if you want to act on people trading
 you must do it on the basis of law established under the constitution. "That is the point!" Halifa said. The Minority Leader argued that the issue of the groundnut trade is different from the issue of traders purchasing to sell in the local market, and that since the SoS appears to be very scientific in his operation, he would still suggest that he (SoS) investigate who these traders are. That this will determine whether they are Gambians or non-Gambians and what their trade is and whether they are serving the local market or as the SoS said they are some mafia elements, serving somebody else. Halifa stressed that he would want a scientific comprehensive study on these to know what is validated.

OPPOSITION UNITE

Part 2

Below is the Opening Speech of the Chairman of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) Mr. Assan Musa Camara at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding held at Palm Grove Hotel on 17th January 2005. NADD is an alliance of Opposition Political Parties.

See the next issue for the closing remarks by the Coordinator of NADD, Halifa Sallah

A full text of the Memorandum of Understanding and excerpt of the statements of Political Leaders have already been published in Issue Number 6/2005 of FOROYAA dated 20-23 January 2005.

SPEECH BY MR ASSAN MUSA CAMARA, CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ALLIANCE

Venerable religious leaders, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, Mr Coordinator and executive members of the allied parties, members of the Provisional Technical Committee of the Alliance, honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I am a retired politician. I have no political ambition. I have held many ministerial posts and had risen up to the rank of vice president. I have occupied many posts of honour and as a former schoolmaster I have schooled many prominent members of our society. However, I must admit that no greater honour has ever been bestowed on me than to be appointed to chair this ceremony, which is to usher in a political alliance of such historical significance.

This day is unimaginable to many. However, where there is vision there is a way. This day appears to me to be a constitutional conference marking the second birth of an Independent and Sovereign Nation. If I were to die today I would rest peacefully in my grave, for having been associated with breathing a fresh life into the body politics of The Gambia.

Fellow compatriots and friends of The Gambia, I happen to have chaired the negotiations, which gave rise to this great day. I witnessed the intense and passionate debates, which took place as the representatives stuck to their positions until they were convinced by superior views. The whole exercise was democracy in action. There was freedom of debate and the freedom of choice of the type of alliance that should be established. The principle of unanimity was applied in arriving at all major decisions. The openness and tolerance displayed pave the way for the building of a democratic country based on the rule of law and adherence to the principle of best practice in governance.

The end product of the democratic debate is the document that shall be laid before you by the Co-ordinator. It is not the best of documents but I am not sure whether there could be a better document that best reflects the vision and mission of the Alliance.

I am convinced that this Memorandum of Understanding will usher in a new era of politics in The Gambia. I must conclude by expressing my pride for being associated with this new day. I can now retire as an elderly statesman, knowing that I have helped to bring into being an alliance that will introduce checks and balances to ensure that no leader shall again control unlimited power to rule The Gambia with an iron fist. The will of the people shall prevail. The rule of law shall prevail. Democracy shall prevail.

I thank all those who responded to our invitation and all those who worked tirelessly to make this day a memorable one.

I now declare this signing ceremony open and call on the Co-ordinator to present the content of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Sindola Catches Fire

By Surahata Danso

This reporter was informed by an eye -witness that Sindola Hotel in Kanilai, the birth place of President Jammeh, was engulfed by a devastating fire, on Monday 17th January, 2005. According to the eye -witness, the main building, which houses the reception, kitchen, manager’s office, bar and restaurant, has been seriously damaged. The guest rooms which are at some distance from the main building, were not affected. The eye- witness claims that the fire was caused by an electrical fault. When asked why the fire got so serious the eye witness noted that there are no fire fighting equipment in the village and so the villagers could not control it. A vehicle had to be used from a nearby village for assistance. The fire, he said, ravaged only the hotel and nowhere else.

When contacted to shed light on the incident, the Fire Service PRO, Haddy Kone, confirmed the story and indicated that two of their vehicles were immediately dispatched from Brikama Sub-station to help put out the fire; that the first Fire Service vehicle that set out had a breakdown on the way and that before the second one arrived in Kanilai they received information that the fire was put under control.

THE DEMISE OF DEYDA HYDARA

Monday the 24th January marks the 40th day of the passing away of Deyda Hydara, proprietor of Point Newspaper. We mourn his loss. We grieve with his wife, children,

family, relatives, friends and colleagues. We regret that The Gambia has been robbed of an illustrious son. We sob that the Gambia our beloved country is sinking into a quagmire of fear, doubt, suspicion, insecurity and helplessness. We witness that truth is again being tested. For we will never know what led to Deyda’s death.

All we can do is ask but why? Why Deyda? Why the killings, the shootings and the arson? Why the murkiness? Why the slithering shadows that emerge from the dark to do their misdeeds and then disappear without a trace? Why is this happening in The Gambia? The Gambia that was so peaceful that peace became its hallmark and led to the

identification of Gambians as a peace loving people. The peace that received

international acclaim and enticed others to seek refuge here or to live in The Gambia and made all other shortcomings pale into insignificance.

The sniper’s bullet on that fateful night once again dented the peace we value so much. Ricocheting out of the dark to destroy not only Deyda’s life but to leave indelible scars on the bodies and minds of the innocent young passengers in his car and to strike once again the chords of insecurity and fear in the minds of Gambians.

To millions of people (Gambian and non-Gambians) Deyda did not deserve to die this way. "Death is an inevitable end that will come when it will come." (Shakespeare), but not this type of death please. However, there is someone out there who for whatever reason believes that Deyda deserved this type of death; that he got his just cause and that he deserved to be gunned down by the barrel of a gun.

We, the majority of peace loving Gambians, and our friends, sympathizers and well -wishers living in and outside The Gambia abhor this dastardly act. We say "No" to street

justice and to the taking of innocent lives. We want to walk in the streets, go to bed safe and secure from snipers, armed robbers, thieves and rapists. We want our women and children to be protected from this type of violence. Ida and Nyang Sarang were not protected ;they became innocent victims of a crime of terror.

While we cannot wind back the clock we can insist that we maintain values and norms of

a past -Gambia. This is The Gambia where gates and front doors of houses were left open even at night to ease entry of guests and strangers. The Gambia that did not have complete fences but "portes" to facilitate movement from one compound to the other. The Gambia that motivated families to cook the extra cup of rice for the unexpected stranger. This was a Gambia that promoted faith, love, charity and hope.

When a complete stranger was housed, clothed and fed until they found their bearings.

Other people had jurisdiction over other people’s children. This was the Gambia in which Deyda and I grew up in Jollof and Portuguese Town Ward now Banjul South.

Deyda lived in Hagan St (Daniel Goddard St) same as ours. He became a friend of my first cousin Joseph Giikou who lived in 10 Leman St (ECOWAS Avenue). That is how he became a protege of my aunt Tata Aubi Caroline Keita nee Goddard who registered him (Deyda) at the "Foyer" or Alliance Francaise located in Picton Street. The two boys Joe and Deyda went to school together played together and were inseparable until Joe went to live in Togo. Deyda’s natural mother Halima Faal of blessed memory recognized the love that Tata Aubi had for Deyda and called her "Yayi Deyda" This special relationship continued until she relocated to Senegal but Deyda was always the first to visit to bring gifts when she came to The Gambia. They maintained and relished the relationship until his demise. Tata Aubi "Yayi Deyda" my deepest sympathy on the loss of your adopted son.

In later life Deyda served as a Board member of Worldview, his contributions were not only useful but also constructive and concrete. He was a man with a mission and vision. He was a pioneer, a man who had the courage to stand up and be counted as having an alternative view. He was shot down in the prime of his life. However his contributions remain a legacy that will make him a legend.

We will miss him dearly. His loss is a great one not only to the Gambia but to the Continent as a whole. I extend my deepest sympathy to the staff and subscribers of the Point Newspaper and especially to his long time friend and colleague Pap Saine and to the entire media fraternity. To his wife Maria and the children we say: "Those we hold most dearly never truly leave us, they live on in the kindness they showed, the comfort they shared and the love they brought into our lives. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE. AMEN!.

Adelaide Sosseh

At the National Assembly

FOROYAA maintains that with knowledgeable National Assembly Members, coupled with a responsive and accountable executive, the people would truly become sovereign. The people need to know how their representatives are performing.

This column is reserved for National Assembly Proceedings and Interviews with National Assembly Members.

NAMs ON THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

"POVERTY IS ON THE INCREASE! THERE IS NEED TO REDRESS IT!" SAYS HALIFA

In his contribution to the adjournment debate, the National Assembly member for Serrekunda Central and the Minority Leader, Hon. Halifa Sallah indicated among other things that in as much as he would agree with the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs that fiscal polices are very important to stabilize an economy, the Secretary of State would also agree that that alone is not sufficient. He said that it is practical that you can raise taxes and it contracts the private sector and that that is a reality. In the same vein, Halifa continued that you can also raise taxes and impoverish the people, which is also a reality. Halifa said that the fundamental question is: "How do we impact on the productive base?" and further stated that when he was talking about the productive base, his concern was how the private sector is investing in the economy and how they impact on the economy. The Minority Leader stressed that he talked about the productive base, that is really what he
 meant, that he did not see the participation of the private sector in building the productive base of the economy; that if one looks at the public sector, one discovers that it is also a productive sector because tremendous resources are being produced by this sector. Hon. Sallah pointed out that they heard of social security and how it has rescued NAWEC, and that they have been told also that D45 million was utilized to purchase Amie’s Beach which is now Ocean Bay Hotel; and that the investment on the hotel is over D304 million. The Minority Leader indicated that one is talking about a total investment of D350 million in a hotel by social security; a social security where the money of the workers is deposited. Halifa said out that the proper thing to do was to look at what benefit the workers who are putting their monies in the social security are getting. He argued that if the benefit they are getting is housing, then let them build a housing sector for them so that what they are
 investing can ultimately come back to them. Hon. Sallah pointed out that if that is done, the workers can in turn continue to put their money in that institution. Halifa stressed that that will help the sustainability of that institution but that if one puts it in that type of environment (a hotel) and that does not work, then what happens to all those resources. Halifa said that if eventually one privatizes the hotel, one ultimately ends up privatizing the Social Security. This, Halifa said, is so because there is a huge scheme of privatization in the Secretary of State’s budget. Halifa reminded the Assembly that the Secretary of State for Agriculture was talking about nationalization and maintaining public resources but that the whole agenda, as he puts it, is an agenda for privatization. Halifa said that he is not saying that certain institutions should not be privatized if they are not productive, but that the social security is an institution which should be preserved and
 protected so that the workers’ money could be preserved and protected.

On Education

Halifa said that the issue of education is also of paramount importance; that the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs has talked about building the social sector, but that if one looks at learning materials and the cost of education, the public sector cannot cater for all those people who need education. Hon. Sallah argued that last year, they were told by the Secretary of State for Finance that 209, 106 pupils were in lower basic schools, 82, 580 in upper basic schools and 18, 925 in senior secondary schools; but that if one looks at that situation and then looks at the amount of money that they are investing in education, one will realise that it will just go into personal emoluments and that very little will actually go into learning materials. The Minority Leader said that is not going to yield quality and that they must recognise this fundamental fact; that the Secretary of State did not even mention about the scholarship of university students. He said that what
 he has been informed is that all those students who have applied for scholarship, not a single one of them has been offered scholarship and that the basic education programme is to be closed; that he would want to know whether that is the fact because that is what one should consider for universal education. Halifa said that people are complaining of teachers who are not competent to teach our children; that therefore if we are going to close those institutions that are to provide basic training for those who are to teach in our secondary schools, then something serious is happening. "I hope those people in authority will look into that problem," Halifa said.

On The Auditor General

Hon. Sallah, said that in his review of the estimates, he has not seen actuals in many of the areas; that all they have were provisional figures. He said that the constitution has emphasised very strongly that the Auditor General should present an audited report to the National Assembly 6 months after the end of the financial year. "That is the law, which simply means that those audited reports are provided, then we will have actuals and therefore, in the preparation of the budget, you would be able to have actuals, approved and also estimates for the next coming year," Halifa added. He stated that the lack of an Auditor General’s report, is the main shortcoming; that that institution has not been performing the way it should perform under the constitution; that he hoped the Secretary of State who has started this policy of reform, will really focus on that institution so that it will start to perform and enable them to have actual figures on the expenditure of government; that that
 is necessary because if one looks at the miscellaneous, the outstanding debts which are being paid for, is over D20 million in 2003, 2004 as well as this year 2005. The Minority Leader and Member for Serrekunda Central said that these miscellaneous need to be audited because he cannot understand how people could spend outside of their budgetary allocation until it becomes debts. Halifa said that the auditing of these accounts is necessary so that they can know whether these are really justifiable expenses based on real accounting principles as well as auditing principle or something that has been wasted by other people who need to be surcharged to pay the loss.

On Poverty

Halifa said that if one looks at the breadbasket nowadays, one will discover that poverty is in the increase. He indicated that a loaf of bread cost D4.00, one egg D4.00 and so on; that this means that the lowest breakfast for one person will cost D10.00; that for a month this will be D300.00; that this has consumed the salary of those receiving less than D600.00 a month; that clearly if one looks at this situation, one will discover that poverty is on the increase and that it needs to be addressed.

On her part, the National Assembly member for Wuli East, Hon. Duta Kamaso argued that it is the fundamental human rights of everybody to have food which brings about good health, and also education which brings about productivity. She then called on the Secretary of State for Agriculture to work hand in glove with the farming community because, according to her, they have a vast wealth of experience in farming. She pointed out that the management of the tractors needs to be looked into because, according to her, it is sad for someone to be in Banjul and then determine how the tractors are to be used by the farming community; that the Department of State for Agriculture should try to encourage the farming community.

She argued that the tourism industry is going down the drain and the only substitute is the Agriculture sector.

On Education, the NAM said that there are schools in Wuli East where teachers spread mats under trees to conduct classes. She stressed that if people can sacrifice to that level then they deserve to be compensated.

On road construction, she said that the road that stretched from Basse – Badala to Passamas needs urgent attention; that the road stretch is in a terrible condition which makes motoring on the road impossible.

On communication, Hon. Kamaso indicated that her people are in dire need of communication facilities particularly regarding armed robbers.

On Health, she said that there is only one small health center in her constituency which is under the Bamako Initiative which means the people are taking charge of their health. She argued that if the people are taking charge of their own health, then government should also do something for the people.

Concluding, Hon. Duta Kamaso called on the authority of Kanifing Municipal Council to solve the problem of Serrekunda Car Park. She said that the market women are really suffering due to moves of the KMC.

In his contribution to the adjournment debate, the National Assembly for Banjul Central, Hon. Kofi Greene Harris pointed out that the Hon. Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs indicated in paragraph 157 of his budget speech: "Let me conclude by reassuring the nation that this government will continue to do everything in its powers to uplift Gambians from poverty." And that, "the government calls on all Gambians at home and in the Diaspora, to own the Development Agenda of this country." Hon. Harris said that the Hon. SoS went on to indicate that if we all work together in the supreme interest of the country, together we shall succeed. He said that he saw this statement as a motto for 2005; that selfish interest should always take secondary place.

THIRD APPEARANCE OF ABDOULIE KUJABI

By Abdou F. B. Boye

Reappearing before the Paul Commission, Mr. Abdoulie Kujabi, a former Director General (DG) of the NIA who was last week Tuesday, 11th January 2005 detained at the Mile Two Prison told the commission that he visited the Ports once, contrary to what was said in his first testimony. He said the purpose of the visit was to make an appeal on behalf of somebody for the clearance of goods. He also denied engaging in bicycle trade business and does not import bicycles. Mr. Kujabi said he never cleared a bicycle container in his name in 2003. When he was shown two official documents by Mr. Fagbenle from the Ports bearing his name, Mr. Kujabi replied, "This is my first time seeing these documents, sir." The former NIA boss maintained that he was having a commercial Russer bus which he said was seized by the police.

Mr. Kujabi told the commission that he could remember once assisting one Modou Khan in a direct delivery of his textile container, but said that he did not see what was in the container. He said during that process he discussed the issues with the then Director General of Customs but did not know how his name featured in the receipts. Mr. Kujabi admitted visiting the Maersk Line in 2003 only once, but did not remember why he was there. He was shown another two documents of Maersk Line bearing his name in connection to goods importation. Kujabi replied, "Sir, as I said earlier, all these things are new to me." Mr. Kujabi at this point appealed to the commission to invite Modou Khan to throw light on the issue because as he said, "I do not know why he used my name." Mr. Kujabi denied knowing Malick Jah. He told the commission that he could remember A and T importing Marlboro in 2003 and when they had difficulty in paying income tax charges at the Customs, but he (Kujabi) never imported
 cigarettes.

Continuing his testimony, Mr. Kujabi said that when A and T called him to appeal on their behalf he then went to the Customs officers and told them to give A and T concession since they too are income tax payers to the country. He denied the allegation that he received $15, 000 for his intervention on behalf of A and T. Another allegation made was that there was a consignment of cigarettes instead of shoes at the Ports and was asked by State Counsel Fagbenle, "What kind of assistance did you give?" Mr. Kujabi replied, "I heard of that one, but by then I was in the UK and I did not give any assistance to the said consignment." The witness was then given a paper to write down all the landline telephone numbers he (Kujabi) was using in 2003, which he did.

The Paul Commission

TESTIMONY OF FANTA BASSE SISAY

Another witness to testify was the Director of Social Welfare, Ms. Fanta Basse Sisay. She said from July 1994 to June 2000 she was Social Welfare Officer; that from 2000 to 2001, Deputy Director; that in 2002 she received a backdated letter appointing her to the position of Director from 2001. As Deputy Director and Director she received D37, 000 and D39, 000 annual net salary respectively.

Ms. Fanta Sisay said she served as board member at St. Joseph’s High School, Christian Children Fund (CCF), Eligibility subcommittee at National Aids Secretariat (NAS), Association of Empowerment of Girls Education and she received D300, D500, D300 and D500, respectively, as sitting allowances. She also sat on the boards of Child Protection Alliance (CPA) and FAWEGAM and does not receive any sitting allowance. Ms. Sisay acknowledged buying a second hand Mercedes Benz 200 in 2001; that she has been a dormant partner of the Millennium Investment Company in 2001, but did not invest anything in the said company. She added that from 1994 to 2000 she was banking with the defunct Continent Bank; that she has a salary account with the Trust Bank since 2001. She said she had invested between D62 – 67, 000 on household items; that she makes savings from her per diems and used the monies on domestic purposes, personal affairs, car maintenance and at times saved it into her account. She denied
 maintaining anybody outside The Gambia.

Ms. Sisay admitted the Independent Newspaper Monday 11th November 2004 publication caption "Chronic Shortages Hit Social Welfare Dept". She said the reason why there was shortage of rehabilitation materials at her department was due to the delay in making more or additional deliveries of the required or needed materials. Ms. Sisay said that there was nothing like malpractice or fraud associated with the incident. She also denied the Independent Newspaper figure that 3000 cases of deformities remain unattended to, but stated that less than 15 were affected. The Chairman, Justice Paul asked her why she didn’t react to the report for the interest of the public that she is serving. She replied, "I thought at the back of my mind that everybody knows that the report was wrong," adding, "My lord not all that the newspapers write or report are correct."

Ms. Sisay denied knowing Mr. Davis. The state counsel, Mrs. Jainaba Bah-Sambou told her that it was insinuated that this Mr. Davis was given a cheque of D16, 000 by one Nanna Keita for pediatric materials which this Davis should have provided, but failed to deliver. In response, the Social Welfare Director said, "I did not know about the issue as I am speaking now," adding, "Unless the commission gives me time to verify from my office and come back." Mrs. Bah-Sambou further said that the insinuation was that D3, 000 was given to her by Mr. Davis. In response, she denied this allegation.

Continuing her testimony, Ms. Sisay admitted keeping imprest, adding that she has been retiring all her imprest for the past years, except last year (2004), which she said, was due to the budgetary constraints. She admitted knowing the Gambian Consular in Amsterdam; that she had received gifts from him and other Gambian Consulars elsewhere for the Social Welfare activities but that she did not receive any personal gift from the Consular in Amsterdam; that the Social Welfare Department is having its own bank account and anybody who wishes to make cash donation can deposit the money to that account.

The Chairman, Justice Paul told the witness, "The commission has received information that you do not want to appear before this commission and that is why you took leave." Ms. Sisay replied, "Why should I not want to appear before the commission? The commission will strengthen me and I will have the opportunity to tell the people I am serving with true stewardship as the head of an institution."

HOUSE GUTTED BY FIRE!

By Pateh Baldeh

The importance of water in any given community cannot be overemphasized. Thousands of people gathered at the home of Serign Modou Joof on Monday 10th January, 2005 between the hours of 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm just to put off a fire which finally consumed the whole of his house in Brikama Jamisa.

The people who assembled all had the intention to put out the fire but it become extremely difficult for them as water became a major problem within the whole community. There is no tap water supply in this area, not to mention local pumps. Even the wells within the area have dried up and only a few wells are operational where one can get water. These are sometimes very far from other compounds.

Many people expressed concern about the lack of water supply in Jamisa and called on NAWEC and the Department of Water Resources to try and consider Jamisa in their development plans.

Speaking to this reporter, the victim of the fire incident, Mr. Serign Modou Joof who is the PRO of Brikama Area Council, said that the incident came as a result of candle light which his family left inside while watching TV in the sitting room. He said everything that was inside his house was consumed by fire. He said the worth of materials lost can be estimated at about D300, 000 – 400, 000. Modou Joof said that everything in the house, ranging from clothes to furniture were all consumed by the fire; that even books and uniforms of his children were lost.

Mr. Joof who forced a smile said he believes that it is only God who can do this and said he therefore has no one to blame for the incident even though he was not at home at the time the outbreak of the fire started.

Mr. Joof who has also worked for the Red Cross told our reporter that he had seen many of this kind of happenings to families where people even lost their lives, but thanked God that he has not lost any member of his family during the incident.

He finally thanked all those who have given them support in one way or the other. He called on the general public to give assistance in the re-construction of the house.



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