-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Foroyaa Burning Issue
From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, July 23, 2004 12:05 pm
To: [log in to unmask]
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 58/2004, 23-25 July, 2004
EDITORIAL
2004: Year Of Great Awakening
The speech delivered by the President on the 22nd July anniversary is a
departure from the past speeches of castigation. He, like all Gambians,
must have sensed the new trend in Gambian politics. He would have found
himself totally left behind in the era of political mediocrity if he had
continued with his arguments against those he called political
detractors. In few months to come all Gambians will be conscious that
they own the country and that whatever national resources are available
such as oil, belong to them. They will know that they have the power and
the say to determine who will use their brains to plan with and for them.
They will see leaders as mere trustees who can be changed at will. In the
past, the President used to speak as if someone is opposed to the
building of schools, hospitals, roads and social services. It was as if
one must sing praises to him, otherwise one is a detractor. He failed to
realise that the role of the Opposition is not to sing praises to the
government but to scrutinise, criticise and restrain the government, as
well as to prepare to replace it in accordance with the will of the
people. This is the way a government can co-exist with those who aim to
replace it. Under such climate the public stands in judgment to
determine whether the government or its opponents are mature to speak on
their behalf. This pushes both to become more politically mature. History
may well remember 2004 not for the millions spent to commemorate the July
22nd anniversary but for the birth of a new relation between government
and the Opposition characterised by respect and mutual awareness; by the
realisation that their authority to govern is derived from the consent of
the people and should therefore exercise maturity in seeking the mandate
of the people instead of sinking to petty squabbles.
Halifa on President’s Address
FOROYAA: The president calls for unity between government and opposition
to build The Gambia. What do you say to this? Halifa: His call was
answered before it was made. The unity that is expected under a democracy
is the peaceful co-existence of political associations where each strives
to earn the consent of the people to manage their affairs. Those who
oppose try to scrutinise, criticise and restrain the government in office
so that the government can do its best while they try to prove that its
best is not good enough and that they can do better. It is such an open
society, which provides room for the empowerment of the masses and their
freedom to assess the qualities of those who seek to lead them and make
their choice of leadership without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
I know that efforts are under way to engage the government in a totally
new way, so that the Opposition can never be disrespected or pushed into
insignificance or mediocrity. The APRC and its leaders have to change
their policies, otherwise i! t will be left so far behind that the
Gambian people will consider their words and actions to be unfit to be in
the political scene in the country. FOROYAA: The President spoke about
developing the Gambia into the most advanced country in the world.
Halifa: Well, intention is one thing, realistic plans are something
else. The speech spoke about aspirations, if the oil flows. What
Gambians need are realistic plans now. The oil is yet to flow. At the
moment, Jammeh should have said how they intend to solve the electricity
and water problems, the road problem in the North and South Bank as well
as the transgambia roads. Government should have strategies and not just
projects. In short, the first strategy on roads should be to build the
North Bank and South Bank stretch and all the transgambia outlets. This
is what you can call a strategic investment. On schools, they are talking
about free education for girls. However, the constitutional provision is
to have free basic education for all. How to achieve this should be a
strategic objective. In the same vein there is the double shift marked by
shortages of learning materials and inadequacy of teachers. How is this
to be addressed? At the University level there is really no campus. The
facilities at the MDI are poor for a University. He should analyse
concretely the way forward. Suffice it to say, the productive base of the
economy has not grown while the loans have increased, leaving us with a
debt burden of 20,000 million dalasis. We are to pay D1500 million from a
budget of D2200 million for debt service and repayment. We imported D4000
million worth of goods last year and exported only D73.7 million worth of
goods. How is this to be addressed? There is still the problem of
unemployment with over 300,000 children to come out of school within the
next ten years. In the area of health the poor who constitute 69% of the
population do not turn to the hospital because of costs. Poverty denies
many people access to health facilities. The President preferred to push
everything to the future when the oil money comes. I must say that he is
skillful in making people hopeful. FOROYAA: What do you say about
attendance?
Halifa: If you follow my interviews I have always cautioned people who
call for boycotts. I remember the last days of the Jawara regime. People
would expect boycotts when guests come to visit and were always
disappointed with the crowds. In my view people should be informed of the
truth but no one should try to dictate their behaviour, which may be
motivated by many factors. Some people attend activities to prevent
others from branding them, some want entertainment, others feel obliged
because of certain pressures. What should be done is to raise the
awareness of people so that they own themselves. This is what is
empowerment. When they know their interest they will know what to do with
their votes.
GIA Sues Millenium Air For D2, 533, 986
Mr. Kuru Kongira, the flight manager of the Millennium Airline, during
the trial of Baba Jobe in relation to economic crimes gave the court
figures of various sums of monies which when added gave a total of 173
million dalasis. Now the Gambia International Airline (GIA) has sued the
Millenium Air for the sum of D2, 533, 986 owed by Millenium Air to Gambia
International Airline (GIA). The said sum is reported to be expenditures
made by the GIA on APRC Hajj Pilgrims of 2003 purported to cover lodging,
food and other transactions. It could be recalled that Mr. Kongira in his
evidence during the Baba Jobe trial said that his airline had been
responsible of the lifting of the APRC Hajj pilgrims from the year 2000
to 2003. He even went further to give the total break down of the
expenditures year after year by the CEO of YDE Baba Jobe.
Lamin Bora Mboge & Dulab Real Estate Case Resumes
The regal battle involving Real Dulab Estate and Lamin Bora Mboge which
was already decided by the Banjul High Court in favour of the former, is
back at the courts. The complainant and the defendant are in court over a
piece of land in Kerr Serign, which Lamin Bora Mboge claims belongs to
him. The lawyer for Lamin Bora Mboge, Lamin Mboge is said to have filed
a motion at the Banjul High Court urging the court to set aside the
undated judgment of the court purportedly delivered by Justice Macauley
in default of defence. The motion is also urging the court to make an
order setting aside the execution and all orders made pursuant to the
said undated judgment of the court delivered by Justice Pt Macauley.
Lamin Mboge is demanding from the court to make an order allowing the
defendant/applicant, Lamin Bora Mboge to defend this action. The said
motion is also urging the honourable court to make an order extending
time for Bora Mboge to file and serve his statement of defence in the
matter. The said motion is also urging the court to make an order deeming
the statement of defence exhibited as purportedly filed and served.
MARKET WOMEN FORCED TO JOIN JULY 22nd CELEBRATION
Reports reaching FOROYAA talked of Women vendors at the Serrekunda Market
being forced on Thursday to join the July 22nd celebrations at the
independence stadium, in Bakau by the Kanifing municipal council (KMC)
police and others being asked to close their shops and stalls to observe
the day. When Foroyaa visited the Serrekunda Market some of the vendors
who remained there were found sitting in front of their empty stalls and
locked canteens. They said officers of the KMC police asked them not to
open their stalls or shops and ordered the women to go and join the
celebration. At the Tallinding and Latrikunda sabiji markets, the
situation was different and some women even travelled all the way from
Latrikunda-German because they could not find enough to buy at the
Serrekunda market. The APRC government is celebrating ten years of
governance since seizing power in a military coup that toppled the PPP
government in 1994. In fear of a possible snub from the people, the APRC
agents engage in a massive mobilization campaign to force people to
attend the celebrations. Parastatals have contributed huge amounts of
money and provided women with “Ashobi” towards the celebration.
The Paul Commission Commences Sitting
The Commission of Inquiry set up by President Jammeh to probe the assets
of public servants who have served his administration began sitting on
Monday, 19th July 2004. Appearing before Justice Paul’s Commission, SoS
Musa Gibril Bala Gaye informed the commission that he took up appointment
as secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs on 25th September
2003. He informed the commission that he had been given an asset
declaration form. At this point, Emmanuel Fagbenle showed him the
declaration form for identification, which he identified, and marked
Exhibit A. Mr. Gaye informed the commission that the additional thing he
wants to put on the declaration form is the value of the business of his
wife and the details of his per-diem. Both documents were exhibited and
marked Exhibit B and C respectively. Bala Gaye said he was not allocated
any plot of land by government after his appointment to his present
position. According to him, the landed property in Jeshwang he put on the
form given to him was bequeathed to his wife by her fa! ther. He said the
land in Sanyang listed on the form was purchased by his wife. He told the
commission that he acquired a white screen television after his
appointment to his present position. He said he could not recall the date
the screen was purchased by his wife. Mr. Gaye told the commission that
his wife deals in jewelry whilst noting that his wife has been a
businesswoman for the past years. He informed the commission that he has
a Pajero, which he has disposed off. He said he does not presently have a
private car. Mr. Gaye stated that he used to serve as director of Afri
Swiss before to his present appointment, whilst noting that the aforesaid
company sells tickets to the Gambia Government. He said he has not been
paid dividend by either Afri Swiss or FIB after his appointment. He
pointed out that he has not made any significant public donation after
his appointment. Asked by Lawyer Fagbenle whether there is any record of
financial malpractice against him, the witness responded in the negative.
The next witness to be called was Amadou Scattred Janneh, who told the
commission that he was appointed in April 2004. SoS Janneh noted that the
assets he acquired after his appointment to his present position are as
follows, a generator worth D3500.00, a refrigerator worth aroundD5000.00
and a microwave worth D3000.00. He promised to supply the commission
receipts of the aforesaid materials. He told the commission that he has
not been allocated land by the state after his appointment to his present
position. He pointed out that he purchased jewelry worth fifty dollars
for his wife in Egypt. Mr. Janneh said he had purchased land worth D20,
000.00 from his maternal family in Gunjur. He told the commission that he
is currently operating a tele-centre, but the cyber-café part of the
business has not been operating due to lack of power supply. He told the
commission that he is currently operating a salary account at standard
chartered bank ! where proceeds derived from the tele-centre is
deposited. He told the commission that he receives his retirement savings
quarterly from his wife who is staying in the US. He said he had worked
in the State of Tennessee for ten years and received retirement savings
from there. He said he has no credit cards. He said he has not taken any
loan after his appointment to his present position. He pointed out that
he does not own a private account outside The Gambia. He told the
commission that he had taken a loan prior to his present appointment and
that he had made arrangements with his wife and friends for the payment
of those loans. He told the commission that he has never had any impress.
He told the commission that he has not received any official complaint
in respect of his office after his appointment to his present position.
According to SoS Janneh, he owns a five storey building in Yoff (Dakar).
He said the storey building is incomplete. He said they acquired the
storey building five years ago. He said since his appointment, the money
sent for the completion of the storey building comes from his wife in the
US. He said he had applied for land last year, but the application is
still pending. Appearing before Justice Paul’s Commission on Tuesday, the
Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Bala Garba
Jahumpa testified that the seven hundred and four thousand dalasis in his
Standard Bank account are savings derived from his per-diem over the
years. SoS Bala Garba Jahumpa made this disclosure after the chairperson
of the commission, Justice M.A. Paul asked him to explain how he got that
money. The witness intimated that he invested eighty-four thousand
dalasis in Central Bank Treasury Bills in 1997. SoS Jahumpa indicated
that he spends two hundred to three hundred dalasis a day on overheads.
However, he was quick to point out that he does not purchase furniture
over the period due to the fact that he is presently residing in a hotel.
The witness informed the commission that he was given a Lexus vehicle by
Babanding Sissoho, whilst noting that he has given the vehicle to his
mother because he cannot drive. Mr. Jahumpa stated that he was offered a
three-bedroom house by social security and housing finance corporation at
a price of six hundred thousand dalasis with a mandatory down payment of
one hundred and fifty one thousand, one hundred dalasis. In order to
prove that he had made that down payment, SoS Jahumpa took out the offer
letter from SSHFC which is dated 16th February 2004 and three receipts
affirming payment. Lawyer Fagbenle applied for the tendering of the
aforesaid documents, Lawyer Amie Joof Conteh who appeared for SoS Jahumpa
did not object to the tendering of the document. The documents were
admitted in evidence and marked Exhibit E. According to Jahumpa, the
property in respect of Exhibit E has not been released to him by SSHFC.
Secretary of State Jahumpa further stated that his official emolument as
ambassador was one thousand six hundred and seventy-five dollars, whilst
his emolument as secretary of state is a little over twelve thousand
dalasis. Mr. Jahumpa pointed out that he has been allotted a plot of
land by the state on 1st October 2003 and has only spent twenty thousand
dalasis to fence it. The latter noted that he is neither a shareholder
nor a sole proprietor in any establishment, whilst noting that he has not
purchased furniture over the years. He said that he has never got any
impress. The next witness to be called was SoS Samba Faal, who testified
that his monthly emolument as town clerk of the Banjul City Council was
sixty thousand dalasis per annum whilst as Mayor of Banjul he earned ten
thousand dalasis every month. According to SoS Faal, he stated that he
has no source of income other than his monthly emolument. SoS Faal
pointed out that his wife is the head of business studies at GTTI, and
that she earns about five thousand three hundred dalasis a month. Mr.
Faal stated that his wife is currently operating a shop, and that the
shop generates one hundred and eighty thousand dalasis per annum. He said
his wife gets goods from Chellarams, Blell and other wholesale shops on
sale and return basis. SoS Faal told the commission that forty-six
thousand dalasis was bequeathed to him after the death of his father. The
latter said he was allocated a plot of land by the state in 1990, and he
moved in the compound in 1991. Mr. Faal told the commission he received a
loan from the BCC. He pointed out that he was paying this loan on a
monthly basis until January 2002 when he had to travel to Mecca for Hajj;
that he decided to pay the outstanding balance, which was nine thousand
dalasis. The latter told the commission that his wife started to develop
her compound in ! 1998 from a loan she acquired from the Arab Gambia
Islamic Bank. He noted that his personal contribution in that property
might be between the range of seventy-five and one hundred thousand
dalasis. He said he has two plots of ‘traditional’ land in Wellingara and
Old Yundum where he plants cassava. SoS Faal said he has two television
sets, one computer, one VCR, one settee, a library and a three thousand
tiger generator. He told the commission that he was given a car by his
brother Abdoulie Faal who is presently residing in Germany. He said he
spent forty-seven thousand dalasis on custom duties for the release of
the car at the ports. Mr. Faal stated that he has so far contributed
four thousand, two hundred and fifty dalasis into the GAMSTAR education
endowment scheme for his child. He told the commission that he went to
the commonwealth games in 2002 as head of delegation and minister of
youth and sports. He said his son, Serign Alieu Faal was his personal
guest during that trip, but was quick to point out that the air ticket of
the latter was not borne by government. He said he is paid one hundred
and thirty pounds as per-diem. When Emmanuel Fagbenle asked SoS Faal
what his investment in Jenkinson Motor and Electrical Spare Parts is, the
Secretary of State said he did not know the aforesaid outfit. .
MSN 8 helps ELIMINATE E-MAIL VIRUSES. Get 2 months FREE*.
--
Chi Jaama
Joe Sambou
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.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://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
