GAMBIA-L Archives

The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List

GAMBIA-L@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show HTML Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:09:24 -0400
Content-Type:
multipart/alternative
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (14 kB) , text/html (19 kB)
How gracious of you and your family Pa Pierre. I think your story here is even more reason for African governments to include a trail along all roads for Pedestrians and bicycles. At least for any new roads and all roads within city, town, and village limits. One of the reasons very clearly is that even if this driver was not drunk or distracted on a mobile phone, motorized vehicles should not share the same space with unmotorized vehicles simply because of the speed and weight differences. If a bicycle hits a pedestrian (which could happen), the pedestrian will most certainly not die. The severest injuries that can be sustained from such collision are not lethal, plus the bike rider's life can also be spared for the ability to take evasive measures or go off the trail unburdened by damage to the bike or injury to passengers. High speed and cargo reduce the prospect for evasive reaction to almost nil when the driver is sober. God forbid the driver is tipsy or on a mobile phone.

I encourage the government and the transportation and infrastructure ministry to begin by allocating 6 feet of right-of-way along one side of the Brikama-Gunjur Road Five-miles long as a pilot project of a Bike and Pedestrain Trail (No Motorcycles). The 6 ft ROW already assumes another 6 ft. emergency shoulder already along the road which would provide buffer for the Trail ROW. The Gomez family and any other family who has lost a loved one in a similar manner can coordinate the surfacing of this trail. The20ministry can build guard rails along this 5-mile stretch of road to afford drivers added opportunity for reaction to evade ploughing onto the trail.

Pa Pierre this was the idea I wanted to share with you and it is both doable and will save many more lives to come. The surfacing of such a trail will be of minimal cost and much of the labour will come from volunteer youth (perhaps paid with donations to the Gomez Trails Fund which your family can coordinate with other similarly-bereaved families). An enterprising Youth group can be employed this way to raise starting capital for a Trails Surfacing Company, to be duplicated along all roads inside city, town, and village limits.

I hope you'll consider the idea. With government's assistance, already demonstrated, the infrastructure ministry can do this with your support and zeal.
Haruna.   


-----Original Message-----
From: paPIERRE GOMEZ <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sat, Jun 13, 2009 11:15 am
Subject: Re: OBITUARY




---A week after the accident that took my dad's life, the driver was brought to court in Brikama on Friday June 12th. I don't know the charges, but earlier on monday, my brother went to the police station to try to withdraw any impending charges to clear the way for the driver to be released. A police officer he approached there hinted that the driver will face manslaughter charges regardless of what the family want. Yes, the state has a duty to enforce laws if it feels they were broken.


However, a day after the death of my dad, myself, mom and brothers came to the conclusion that dad died cus his time was up and that the family cannot habour any hardfeelings against the driver. This explains why we do not know when and how he was hit by the car. How he was transported to hospital. We chose not to ask those questions. I told my brothers to stay away from court proceedings, but the vehicle owner pleaded with my brother to attend otherwise, the driver will not be released. At yesterday's proceedings, the only witness was the suspect and his account of what happened was not something any expert will agree with.

The driver said my dad was riding on the wrong side of the road, and that it was a collision. That by the time he saw my dad, he paniced and hit him. Look, the Brikama - Gunjur highway has just been constructed. There are no pot holes yet. The road is wide for any emergency swaving from one side to another to avoid an accident. Moreover, many cyclist on these roads, ride on the wrong side of traffic so that they see the oncoming vehicles and make their own moves when the situation looks unsafe. If there was no time for any of the two to avoid the other, one logical explaination could be something was terribly wrong. It cost my dad's life. I wish we could move on.

I cannot close this without thanking everyone on the list for their support. I also wish to acknowledge the kind gesture from Brikama drivers union. On wednesday, they provided D2
000.00, a bag of rice and a vehicle to pick the corpse from RVH. A special thanks to one army officer at state house for providing a vehicle for the same purpose. There are many more whose individual and collective efforts, has enhanced the peacefulness of my dad's journey. I say thank u to all on behalf of the family.

paPierre
  
----- Original Message -----
From: "Haruna Darbo" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 6:08:34 PM (GMT-0500) Auto-Detected
Subject: Re: OBITUARY

Pa Pierre,
I will yield to afford you peace to mourn and reflect on your dear father. I will come back next week to share an idea with you.
Accept our prayers at this time of your loss.
Haruna.


-----Original Message-----
From: paPIERRE GOMEZ <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 8:30 pm
Subject: Re: OBITUARY



----Harouna, your idea sounds brilliant. However, at this hour, i am emotionally and financially constrained to even start contemplating the idea. Nonetheless, i will ask my brothers to mark this particular spot, if it is identified. One fact i know is that it lies somewhere between Sifoe and Kitty. Or put it this way between Brikama and Gunjur (so that many will know where am talking about)

Meanwhile, my dad will be interred on wednesday June 10th.

paPierre

----- Original Message -----
From: "Haruna Darbo" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 9:49:20 AM (GMT-0500) Auto-Detected
Subject: Re:
OBITUARY

Fahtoma, good to see you here. I encourage Pa Pierre to consider leading an effort to create a memorial bike trail alongside the road where this unfortunate acciden t occured. This was not supposed to happen. I hope to God the driver was not under the influence at the time. Senseless and unnecessary. I bid you peace in this time of mourning. We give you our full and unconditional support however you deem fit to proceed. Keep us informed. Haruna. 


-----Original Message-----
From: bala ceesay <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 6:09 am
Subject: Re: OBITUARY


Inna Li-LLahi-Wa-Inna Ialaihi Raji-uun.May his soul rest in perfect peace!
 
BalaMusa Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 07:44:42 +0200
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: OBITUARY
To: [log in to unmask]


Bro accept my deepest condolences for your loss and may his soul rest in perfect peace.

 

Niamorkono.



On Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 1:15 AM, paPIERRE GOMEZ <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Folks,

Fews hours ago, I responded to frantic calls from Gambia. The news was very
somber and tragic.

Yes, as old as he was, my dad was riding his bike to visit a relative who
had lost a loved one, but never made it back. He was ran over in the dark by
a "ghele-ghele"  My mortally wounder dad was rushed to hospital. He did not
make it. He died  there today.

paPierre

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤C2¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤=C 2



¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤C2¤¤¤¤¤¤

Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. Check it out. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the2 0Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤



Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how.
���������������������������������������������������������� To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings,=2 0go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia
-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ����������������������������������������������������������

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask]



Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how.
���������������������������������������������������������� To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archiv
es, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ����������������������������������������������������������


To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask]


¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤


ATOM RSS1 RSS2