I will resign any day I lose Gambia’s interest at heart Says President
Jammeh, as he meets URR delegation
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The president of the Republic has once again expressed his commitment to the
development of the country, vowing to “leave office” any day he loses
interest on the way forward, progress and development of the country.

His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was speaking Monday
evening at State House in Banjul while presiding over a meeting he had with
a high-powered delegation from the Upper River Region (URR).

The delegation, which was led by Governor Omar Khan and comprised of the
region’s Council of Elders, APRC regional executive committee, women and
youth representatives, and the URR lawmakers was accompanied to the
presidency by the mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and APRC
national mobiliser, Yankuba Colley.

The delegation’s move was among other things meant to reassure the Gambian
leader of the region’s undivided loyalty to the ruling party in the
forthcoming election, as well as seek his assistance in terms of mobility
with a view to boosting their mobilisation efforts at the grassroots for a
historic victory for the party in the region.

At the meeting, which was also attended by Cabinet ministers, President
Jammeh stressed that he stands for any cause that will move the country
forward, and that he puts his life to whatever will protect the interest of
Gambians for the country to move forward.

“I swear that any day that I will not have the interest of the Gambia in my
heart is the day I will step down. This is what is between me and God and
the Gambians,” he stated.

The Gambian leader, who was thankful to URR delegation for their move,
assured the region of his continuous support and consideration. He told them
that whatever they had tabled before him was something that he has promised
them from 1994 to date.

He said: “Since 1994 to date, I have never been to anywhere in this country
where people requested something and are not part of the promise I made.
Someone has stated that if what I have done in the past 17 years was done by
the First Republic, then The Gambia today will be among powerful nations
that are highly developed.

But before talking about the Jawara regime that lasted for 30 years, let’s
ask the British colonial masters what they have done in their 400 years rule
in the country? If they had done something here in addition to Jawara’s 30
years rule, then UK would not have led us in terms of development. The West
should be thankful to us [Africans] because what they have was taken away
from us but instead they are insulting us.”

Election
Commenting on the forthcoming November 2011 Presidential Election, President
Jammeh reiterated that the ballot will be one in which the citizens choose
the path to prosperity and continuous development or the path to
retrogression.

“They know that the opposition will not win in the coming. Anybody who wants
to jeopardize the existing peace and development in this country and plunge
us into backwardness, you are asking for serious trouble,” the Gambian
leader warned.

He averred that he has and will continue to do what is required of him
development wise, asserting that such is what is binding him and the
citizens, as well as God.
He continued: “Whatever I don’t do, God has not given me, but whatever is
given to me by God, you will see that. So the forthcoming election will be
one for people to choose for progress or retrogression because I had told
you that whether it is an election or coup, let no one think of that.

I swear that if I didn’t betray God and the Gambian people, election did not
bring me to power and will not ballot vote me out. So everyone will decide
in this election whether they will move forward or backward.”

The president emphasised that development projects such as hospitals,
schools, good roads, tractors, water and electricity supplies and others
that will improve the livelihood of the people are for those that vote for
progress in the forthcoming election. This, he stated, is anchored on the
principle that government cannot give development to everyone at a go, and
hence will give it to those that support his government.

“Since 2001 I have been saying this and that is why now if development
comes, I don’t have two minds of who will first get it – I give it to those
that voted me,” he concluded.

Speaking earlier, the Attorney General and minister of Justice, Edward
Gomez, who doubles as the  APRC URR liaison officer harped on the
development strides made by the Gambian leader, saying that the citizenry
should be thankful to God for blessing the country with such a leader as He
[God] could have given Gambians a leader who will forget his
responsibilities to them.

He stressed that what is binding on the citizens is to pray to God for the
existing peace and progress in the country to flourish. While describing
President Jammeh as sympathetic and generous, Minister Gomez said he is
particularly impressed with his God-fearing nature and piousness, citing the
numerous mosques he constructed as well as the pilgrimage opportunities for
Gambians.

The Justice minister then assured that as far as the URR is concerned, they
are ready to break record in the upcoming election; one he said will go down
well in the annals of history.

The Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters minister, Lamin
Kaba Bajo expressed similar sentiments, while urging citizens not to be
fooled by the empty promises that have always been the hallmark of the
opposition. He reminded the party militants that the opposition will not
relent as their survival depends on that venture.

Minister Bajo also challenged the party militants to open up to newcomers.
Speaker after speaker among the URR delegation paid glowing tribute to
President Jammeh for the development achieved in his 17-year leadership,
ranging from schools to electricity and good roads, as well as the Ramadan
gift to the Muslims.

Aja Mariam Jaw, the women representative at the meeting and a councillor at
the Basse Area Council thanked the president for the tractors he donated to
women, while assuring him that the entire URR is united in voice and come
November 24th, will vote en-mass for the ruling party.

Hammeh Jabou Krubally, regional APRC chairman hailed the president for the
reduction in the price of  cooking oil in this holy month, while also
commending his anti-poverty eradication efforts. He further commended the
transformation of the region by the Jammeh Administration.

He however appealed to the president to come to their aid and address the
mobility constraints in the region. Kibiri Jakuraka, who spoke on behalf of
the Council of Elders, assured the president of their continued loyalty,
while stating that one of the objectives of the Council is to settle
internal disputes among themselves, in order to avoid going to the courts.

The NAM for Basse Constituency and APRC desk officer for the region,
Honourable Sellu Bah said the 2011 presidential tour has proven the sceptics
wrong, noting that the tour indeed proved that all Gambians are behind the
president.

Mawdo Susso, youth mobiliser in the region expressed similar sentiments. The
meeting was chaired by  Mayor Yankuba Colley.
Author: *Hatab Fadera*

-- 
*
*****************************************************************************
GOD BLESS THE GAMBIA.
LET US JOIN HANDS AND SUPPORT SHEIKH PROFESSOR DR. ALH YAHYA JAMMEH (NASIRU
DEEN) TO BUILD OUR COUNTRY. *


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