Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 90/2007, 3-5 August, 2007
Editorial
THE DOCKWORKERS Vs PORTS AUTHORITY
BITTER DIVORCE
On 30 July the Gambia Ports Authority Management wrote to all registered
Dockworkers to remove their belongings from the lockers allocated to them and
hand over the respective keys and old I.D cards by Friday 3 August 2007 so that
they will be reallocated.
This is said to be due to the new Dock labour system.
The Dock workers are now learning the ABC of Democracy. The lesson is
becoming clearer day by day.
The dockworkers must be asking what is the use of a union if it cannot
protect its members. It is in line with justice that no person should be removed
from an office or reduced in rank or punished in anyway without just course.
Trade unions and the office of the Ombudsman are created to prevent injustices
from being perpetuated.
Section 25 Subsection 1 (e) of the Constitution states that “Every person
shall have the right to freedom of association, which shall include freedom to
form and join associations and unions, including political parties and trade
unions.”
Section 33 subsection (2) of the Constitution states that “Subject to the
provisions of Subsection (5) “No law shall make any provision which is
discriminatory either in itself or in its effect.”
The Section considers it unconstitutional to afford different treatment to
different persons whereby persons are subjected to disabilities and
restrictions which others are not subjected to.
Here where Dockworkers with representatives in a Port Labour Board which had
the responsibility of protecting their interest. With a stroke of the pen
the National Assembly members in collaboration with the executive struck the
board from the statute books. New labour schemes are introduced by
administrative decree which abrogates the legal rights of the Dockworkers not to be
discriminated. Conditionalities are being imposed and failure to accept them,
leads to deprivation of job, lockers and other rights and privileges which one
used to enjoy.
This is the saddest period in the history of Dockworkers in the country.
The lesson that all workers should learn is that no citizen should be
apathetic to the democratic process in the country. The National Assembly members
one elects and the President one elects are responsible for enacting laws
which may protect you or deprive you of protection. Hence one should elect
leaders on the basis of their platform. This is the way to prevent the election of
leaders who will go to Assembly to deny citizens their rights.
Furthermore, the Dockworkers who are affected should note down all the
rights they used to enjoy which they are now being deprived of and seek legal
advice to take court action to protect their right not to be discriminated.
Section 25 subsection (1) (f) accords each of them “the freedom to petition
the executive for redress of grievances and to resort to the courts for the
protection of his/her rights.” Since they have petitioned the executive
without success they should seek legal advice and resort to the courts.
The office of Ombudsman is also mandated to combat injustice arising from
maladministration and discrimination.
THEY ARE STILL BEING DETAINED FOR MANY MONTHS NOW
By Yaya Dampha
The following people who were arrested by the security forces and detained,
some for more than one year now, have never appeared in a court of law.
These detainees some of whom are not charged are Chief Ebrima Manneh, a
journalist working with the Daily Observer Newspaper, who was said to have been
arrested by plain clothes officers on the 7 July 2006 at his office, Mr. Tamba
Fofana, a school headmaster, said to have been arrested at his home town in
Bansang since the 16 September 2006 and who was last seen at Fatoto Police
Station, Mr. Ousman Rambo Jatta, a Ward Councillor for Cape Point and Old
Bakau, and Mr. Kanyiba Kanyi, a native of Bonto village who were arrested since
last September, Mr. Jisaja Kujabi, a native of Foni Dobong, arrested since
2005. Mr. Alfusainey Jammeh, Mr. Haruna Jammeh, Mrs. Macie Jammeh all of Foni
Kanilai, Mr. Musa Dibba an NIA officer, Momodou Lamin Nyassi Ex-Foni Kansala
Chief, Buba Sanyang and Ndongo Mboob all residents of Bwiam in Foni Kansala.
The counsel for Mr. Rambo Jatta and Kanyiba Kanyi is currently seeking for
their release at the High Court. The High Court had ordered for the release of
Master Tamba since last December which has not been respected by his
captors.
14 PIRANG RESIDENTS IN COURT OVER LAND DISPUTE
By Modou Jonga
On Monday 30 July, 2007, fourteen (14) residents of Pirang in the Kombo East
were arraigned before Magistrate E.F M’bai of the Brikama Magistrates’
Court with two count criminal charges preferred against them.
On count one, the fourteen are alleged to have committed criminal trespass,
contrary to section 285 of the criminal code, by unlawfully entering the farm
of M.G Fielder at Pirang on 28 July, 2007, with intent to intimidate or
annoy.
FATOU JAW MANNEH’S TRIAL SUFFERS SETBACK
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The sedition trial involving Fatou Jaw Manneh and the state could not
proceed at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 2 August due to the absence of
the trial Magistrate Imelda Mboto.
The accused person, Fatou Jaw Manneh, the defence counsel, Lamin S. Jobarteh
and the state counsel were all present in court only to be told that the
trial magistrate would not sit for the day due to illness. The hearing was
adjourned to Monday, 6 August.
Journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh was standing trial at the Kanifing Magistrates’
Court on different charges of sedition.
Magistrate Jawo has distanced himself from the trial which started in April,
by transferring the matter to the Banjul Magistrates’ Court. The case was
first mentioned before Magistrate Mboto on the 17 July but could not proceed
and was adjourned to 2 August.
Fatou Jaw Manneh is a Gambian journalist based in the United States of
America. She was arrested at the Banjul International Airport on her arrival there
on the 28 March and was subsequently detained at the NIA for five days
before taken to court.
WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT THE REPARTRIATED GAMBIANS
By Abdoulie Dibba
The immigration PRO Superintendent Anita Jammeh-Sonko, told the reporter on
Monday 30 July at her office that the seventy-five repatriated Gambians from
Spain were released by her Department on the same day of their arrival.
However, when her statement was published by this paper on Wednesday, relatives of
the returnees came to our officer complaining that their loved ones are not
released but detained at the Mile Two Central Prison.
When this reporter approached the immigration PRO regarding the complaint
and rebuttal lodged by relatives, Superintended Anita Jammeh-Sonko said that
the arrest and detention of the repatriated Gambians is news to her.
According to her, the returnees were screened by her department and that
when it was realised that they (the returnees) were Gambians, the immigration
personnel released them. “If they are arrested and detained at Mile Two, then
you can contact the police” said the immigration PRO. When this reporter
approached the police PRO Inspector Sulayman Secka, he said that he had been on
excused duty (ED) all these days due to illness, but that he would resume
today, Friday. Foroyaa would get his view on the issue of the Repatriated Gambia
and publish it accordingly.
IN NEW YUNDUM FIREARM CASE
Accused Enters Defence
By Modou Jonga
The trial involving Sainey Sonko and the state on Tuesday 31 July, 2007
proceeded with the testimony of the defendant at the Brikama Magistrates Court
before Magistrate E.F M’bai.
In his brief testimony, the accused told the court that he inherited the
single barrel gun in question from his father, years ago. He denied that such a
firearm should be licensed and could kill, contrary to the assertions of the
prosecution.
In his testimony, on 10 July, 2007, Corporal Babucarr M.S Bojang, attached
to Yundum Police told the court that the accused person was arrested and
brought to the station by senior police officers led by the Inspector General of
Police. He added that he was told by the police boss that the accused had
stolen bags of cement and was possessing illegal firearm.
The accused person who pleaded not guilty, is standing trial for being in
possession of an unlicensed single barrel firearm at New Yundum in the Kombo
North on 28 June, 2007.
PATIENT IN NEED OF HELP
The patient, Mr. Bakary Marong, 35 years of age, had an accident on the face
3 years ago and both of his ears were damaged due to this accident.
According to the RVTH Medical Board report, the left eardrum was perforated
and that now the patient suffers from tinnitus and hearing loss as well as
disbalance.
On examination, the patient’s left eardrum has cicatrisation in the tympanic
membrane.
The Audiometric test report also showed that he has hearing loss in both
ears.
The report concluded that this patient needs further studies which are not
possible in The Gambia because of lack of resources.
Mr. Bakary Marong is calling on any good Samaritan, organisations, NGOs etc
for assistance, as this has affected his life in so many ways thereby making
it difficult for him to eke out a living.
Anyone willing to help can contact this number: 9882833 or Foroyaa News
paper, Tel: 4393177.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE 1981 POLITICAL CRISIS
TRIALS RELATING TO 1981 ABORTIVE COUP ENDED;
AS STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUED
We have been focusing on politics in this column and because of the fact
that politics and history are intertwined; we are making a narrative of the
historical events from pre-colonial to post-independence era. We have reported
the happenings of the mid 1984 and the economic crises that ensued. We have
stopped where we quoted Joseph E. Stiglitz where he asserted that the
consequences of debt are dramatic, as with debt crises, but most commonly the debt
burden shows its face as countries struggle to avoid default.
Let us continue from where we stopped.
From mid 1984, the issue of drought dominated the official media. Even
though the major cause of the Austerity measures was the external debt, Government
used the drought as the scape goat for the crises. A drought relief fund was
eventually established and the Vice President, Mr. Bakary B. Dabo was to
manage it. All sectors were urged to contribute including individuals.
People contributed as low as D15 and others contributed in thousands. For
example, Mrs. Alice Carr contributed D500, badge messengers in almost all the
districts contributed, ie, Kiang Central district- D35.55 butus, Kiang West
D100, Sandu D55.00 and so on. Tobacco road mosque contributed D176.20 bututs;
Gambia Dockworkers D2000.
Most of the schools such as staff of Passamas Primary School in Wuli put in
D87.00 companies such as African Enterprises Ltd put in D500, staff of Gambia
College also put in D720.50. According to records, religious bodies such as
the Baptist Fellowship also chipped in D1000.
It appeared that the crises made the Gambia government to look eastwards to
untapped sources such as South Korea to see if such emerging economies could
bail The Gambia out of the debacle. Sir Dawda visited Seoul, South Korea for
the first time on Wednesday 12 September 1984. Korea was said to have
provided The Gambia with the services of three Medical doctors before the president’
s visit and that excludes a radiologist. According to reports, Sir Dawda was
to seek for increase of the number of doctors from Korea. Korea and South
Korea contributed $10,000 dollars and so on.
The country continued to grapple with the crises. After the July 20th 1984
Budget Session, many commodity prices had registered dramatic increases,
forcing the Minister of Finance and Trade, Mr. Sheriff Sisay, to intervene in a
form of a release warning that the said increases were not justifiable and that
importers and retailers were asked to revert to the prices that were in
force before the budget, and that failure of which the appropriate action would
be taken by the price control unit.
Mr. Sisay also referred to his revenue proposals in his budget, amounting to
D23, 073, 758 and said it is the highest that has been ever been raised in a
single fiscal year in this country.
The estimated revenue for 1984/85 was at D149, 565, 700 registering a total
revenue of D172, 642, 458 for 1984/85.
He expressed that government intends to collect every butut of the budget.
This was why observers said it was a tough and hard hearted budget.
The people were also informed that a central revenue department would be
established to strengthen the revenue collection system; that arrears and
current taxes due to government would also be vigorously collected.
The treason trials which the regime used as the reason for maintaining the
state of Emergency had now come to an end. According to Mr. Baboucarr Gaye of
the Sun, the treason trial came to an end at about Friday 28 April 1984.
The treason trial that was said to be the longest trial since the July 1981
incident commenced on November 24 1982. In this trial, five people have been
acquitted and discharged. A sub-inspector, one Ansu Sawo, died in hospital
during the course of the trial. He was said to have been seriously wounded at
the time of the rebellion but was among the five acquitted. Field force
officers and one civilian, James Ogoo, a teacher, were also among those acquitted
and discharged. Reports also mentioned one man discharged on all counts but
his name could not be captured by reporters, he was said to be suffering from
hearing defect and was declared deaf by a medical officer.
This judgment by Justice Macos Cole was said to be the end of the treason
trials resulting from 30th July 1981 rebellion, almost three years after the
event.
According to the Sun, 1091 people were officially detained for alleged
complicity in the abortive coup or rebellion; that 188 persons were charged and
taken to court; and out of that number, 137 persons were convicted and
sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for offences such as treason , treasonable
felony, murder and kidnapping .The Sun in its assessment of the court cases,
ascertained that out of the 188 taken to court, 50 persons were acquitted
and discharged by the courts while three died naturally during the course of
their trials.
According to reports, of the people charged with treason, 63 persons were
subsequently sentenced to death whose sentences have been confirmed by the
court of Appeal but were later commuted by the president to either life or twenty
(20) years imprisonment, as an act of mercy by the president of the Republic.
The reports went on to sum up the cost of the trials which the state footed;
that from may 1982 to the end of February 1984, the state has spent over D3½
million dalasis on the remuneration of judges, prosecutors and defence
counsels.
Two main opposition leaders were implicated and charged with treason and
many other counts, ie, Mr. Sheriff Mustapha Dibba and Mr. Pap Cheyassin Secka.
Mr. Dibba was eventually acquitted and discharged whilst Mr. Pap Cheyassin
Secka was sentenced to death but was among those whose sentences were commuted
to life imprisonment. At about April 1984, Mr. Secka had a successful
operation carried out by Dr. Soranki, an Indian doctor working at the Royal Victoria
Hospital. He was later put on a special diet.
The 1981 crisis has now been over as far as the trials emanating from it
were concerned. It was now left with the state of Emergency laws to effectively
and finally put the country behind the crisis. The state of Emergency had
curtailed the freedom of the ordinary Gambian as well as the parties in the
opposition.
According to Mr. Dibba in an interview with the Sun, the state of Emergency
should be lifted as the state was no longer in his opinion threatened at the
time. He also indicated that his party could not express itself as it would
have loved to do because of the state of emergency.
By October 11 1984, something happened which indicated that all is not well
with the confederation. The Vice President of the confederation, the Gambian
president was said to have agreed with the president of the confederation,
Abdou Joof to remove Mr. Mustapha Niasse, formerly, confederal minister of
external relations from office. It was not clear whether because of the fall out
between the Senegalese president and Mr. Niasse was the cause but earlier
reports show that in a one day session in Dakar May 3rd 1984. to discuss
movement towards economic and monetary union, president Abdou Joof called for the
institutions of the confederation to operate normally and in line with the
austerity measures adopted by the confederation.
It was also revealed by Mr. Kah that a pool of accounting officers had been
created to be headed by a Senegalese Financial comptroller but assisted by a
Senegalese and a Gambian.
The confederation got a surprise boost at the end of the year 1984, when
Sheriff M. Dibba, the NCP leader made an open support for it after keeping mute
on the issue since its declaration in 1982. According to the Sun, Sheriff had
always refrained from making any public declaration on the confederation.
The Sun also said even though Mr. Dibba, the NCP leader broke the silence, th
e position of the NCP still remained unclear; that what was known was that
the NCP criticized the Government in power for not having involved it in the
process of establishing the confederation, to the extent that the NCP refused
to participate in the deliberations of The Gambian house of parliament, on
the ratification of the main confederal agreement.
According to the Sun, in spite of the hostility shown, the NCP had two
members in the confederal parliament, which the NCP leader said was an indication
of his party’s support for the confederation.
The year 1984 witnessed two important developments, ie, a contract for the
construction of the Banjul/ Serrekunda Highway at an initial cost of D24
million dalasis, was contracted to one Louis Diaz De Losada, whose director was
one Mr. Horst Sommer of Afro Atlantic Fame. It is a 4 lane each 7.5 metres
wide, two going in either direction. It is eleven (11) kilometers long, costing
D2 million dalasis per kilometre.
The project was jointly financed through the Sandi Fund and ADB sources. The
second thing was the introduction of an identification system of ID cards
for Gambian nationals in 1984 for the first time in Gambian history. I t was
initially meant to boost up security for the state.
See next issue as we move into the events of 1985.
OPINION
RE: 100,000 TO EACH KMC COUNSILLOR TO REHABILITATE ROADS
I was totally amazed when I learnt in the Foroyaa Editorial of issue No:
89/2007 that all KMC councillors were given one hundred thousand dalasis each
for the rehabilitation of roads in their respective wards. I felt so because of
the kind of work I have witnessed being done on the roads around where I
live. The potholes on the road which joins the Western end of Bundung Bantaba to
Gambi-bolong Street was filled with refuse mixed with soil from the main
dumpsite in the areas. Similar works were done on the roads around Nboyo field.
This makes those roads stinky and almost impassable for people on foot.
People living in the compounds adjacent to these roads have been in hell since
this refuse was dumped there in the name of road rehabilitation because of the
foul smell emanating from the mess. I learnt that many of these residents were
forced to always keep their doors close as a way of trying to prevent the
odour getting in and many of them could not stay in their houses during the day
without burning incense (churai).
This is exposing the people living in these areas to all kinds of diseases
particularly little children who could sometimes be seen scavenging at the
sites. The reason why people kept away wastes from themselves to be dumped
elsewhere is because of the fear that they could get diseases from them, if
allowed to be accumulated around them. This is why they are taken to the dumpsite.
To now take that waste from the dumpsite and place it among them is to
re-enforce that fear instead of allaying it. We expect our representatives to know
that better. This money they are given for this work is our sweat and
therefore we deserve that it should be used honesty and efficiently to better our
lives and not to harm us.
With the hundred thousand dalasis, the councillors could do a better job for
us than what I have seen in our area. It would have been better even if
those potholes were filled with sand as I have seen some people doing. That at
least absorbs any water that flows to the area of the road and makes it less
muddy.
I also learnt that after this undesirable work in the area the people were
ordered not to take their waste to that dumpsite again without being given an
alternative. The people have been dumping refuse at that place because of the
fact that for several years now, KMC refuse collection vehicles have not
been seen collecting them. Now that this order is made, what do they expect the
people to do other than be dumping their refuse indiscriminately. KMC
authorities should tell the people what to do with their waste because they don’t
expect them to keep it in their homes. We expect to be treated fairly
especially by people who are supposed to be our servants.
By a concerned resident
Bundung Bantaba Street.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
HEART BREAKER’S NEMESIS
Part 9
Another Episode
Lolly is still self centred and unrepentant. Its payback time. Victims came
for their pound of flesh. Thugs came into her house and met her coming out.
They pretended to ask for somebody. As she tried to explain to them she was
overpowered, drugged and dragged into her house which was in a isolated part of
the city. While one raped her, the other went to get her fiancé. The house
was set up to make it real to the naked eye. Alcohol and cigarette littered
around.
Ablie’s Shock
The other thug went to get Ablie. It was unbelievable and shocking. He found
the other thug ready making love to Lolly. Lolly was in a state of stupor.
He wanted to wake and enquire from her but the other thug stopped him. “No! Don
’t wake her. I have just made love to her. Don’t wake her up. I see you are
the stupid guy who want to marry her? You are a dreamer. Lolly is my girl. I
will marry her.” “What! It’s a joke. How can you make love to my fiancée,
the girl I want to marry and take along to the U.K? This is a joke! Uncle Mose
and Aunty Aisha have to hear this! This is unacceptable!”
Ablie Goes To His Inlaws
Ablie drove in a rage. He went to his in-laws. Fortunately, the couples were
at home. He came panting. “Lolly is a slut, a whore! I don’t want her
again. I am breaking up the marriage proposal. Lolly is at her house making love
to her boyfriend. I was told and I disbelieved. A guy took me to her house and
I found her boyfriend ready making love to her. Thank Allah! I am saved. I
would have been married to a common whore. Everything spent on her is her
luck. Good riddance to bad rubbish!” Aunty Aisha and Uncle Mose were shocked. “
It couldn’t be true! In-law! Take it easy! Don’t be in a state of rush!
Things can be amended! Be patient!” They begged. “Seeing is believing! Go now and
see it for yourself then you can assess my mindset.” Ablie reasoned with
them.
They Go To Confirm
Aunty Aisha and Uncle Mose went to confirm. They were shocked to find Lolly
in deep stupor and the house littered with alcohol and Cigarettes. The thug
was still around when they visited to confirm. They too left in a rage. When
the scene cleared, the thug left Lolly to her predicament and shut her duplet.
Sainabou And The Thugs
Sainaba is a ‘panka’ (aggressive person). She believes in payback. (Do me
Ah do you!) Lolly will not go scott-free. She paid the thugs who framed up
Lolly. She met them and paid them double. “I am very happy. I heard the news. It
is all over town. Thank you.” She said. “IT’s nice doing business with you.
Next time.” The thugs left.
Aunty Aisha And Uncle Mose
The couples summoned Lolly and rebuked her. Lolly could not answer any of
their questions. She was blank. They were furious. They explained what they
saw. “When Ablie told us we disbelieved. We went to your house ourselves. What
did we see? The shock of our life. Your lover already making love to you.
Alcohol and Cigarettes littered around your room. You were in deep stupor and you
lover in pants sweating.” “You have shamed us! You have killed us!” Aunty
Aisha concurred. “Ablie have called off the marriage proposal. He is no longer
marrying you!” Put in Uncle Mose. “Who will? Tell me who will marry a
fiancée in such a compromising position? Ablie is right! I don’t blame him!”
Lolly cried for understanding.” I don’t know what you are saying. Believe me! I
could have been drugged and raped. What I could remember is someone came to
ask for someone and that’s all!” “Drugged and raped! Lolly listen to
yourself! Who will drug and rape you?” Uncle Mose asked “Spare us your cock and bull
story!” Aunty Aisha concurred. Lolly cried her heart out. Nemesis have
caught up with the heart breaker, the Cameleon friend. Being short sighted, she
still refused to connect her predicament to her destructive schemes.
The Dream
Mama Saw is devastated. Her hope dashed. She feared for Lolly. She invited
her to their village. Lolly came. She narrated her dream. “My daughter! What
is happening to you are not mere events. I dreamt of twenty dangerous looking
dogs chasing after you. Did you wrong some people? If you do humbly go to
them and ask for forgiveness.” Mama pleaded. She lied and disbelieved. “Mama, I
don’t believe in dreams. I did not wrong anyone. I am innocent. If Ablie
broke up with me that’s it. I did not ask him to come. His going is no big deal.
I am not in a hurry for a husband. It will come when it will come.” She
brushed Ablie affair aside. “I sense danger. I am your mother. I believe my
intuition. Make peace with those you offended.” She became sulky to her mum. “
Mama please! I did not offend anybody. Stop disturbing me.” Mama was not
convince. “You do not respect me. You don’t take my advice. As a mother, I have
spoken.” Mamma emphasized.
The Thugs Again
The four thugs who chased her when she first went shopping with Ablie came
to her village looking for her.
She spotted them first. When they saw her waiting for a transport to come
back to the city they ran after her. She is smart. She ran into the bush and
they lost track of her. She escape by the split of a hair.
In the City
Lolly came back to the city. She gave up her duplet and decided to relocate
back into her Uncle and Aunt’s house. They welcomed her and advised her to be
careful with her life.
Penda Again
Penda was shattered for life. She worked to built her relationship with
Chernor. Che was her life and strength. All her plans were shattered by Lolly’s
envy and jealousy. She vouched to leave Lolly with a permanent feature to
remember her for life. She came and found Lolly preparing breakfast for the
family. She greeted her. Lolly was shocked to see Penda again.
“Are you surprised to see me again?” Lolly started to make excuses. “You
destroyed my life. I trusted you and told you everything about myself. Because
of envy and jealousy you stab my back. Well! I am going home to nurse my
wounds and gather my scattered pieces. But before I go let me leave you with
something that will always make you remember never to pay evil for kindness!”
Lolly turned to explain to get Penda’s understanding. Penda threw acid at her
face and disappeared. She cried for help. Aunty Aisha rushed in. “Penda! Penda!
Acid! Acid!” “Oh acid! Help1 Help! Help! Who is Penda? Oh Lolly!” The Aunty
Aisha called for help. Aunty Aisha washed her face and rushed her to the
nearest hospital.
This is the worst predicament she dreamt off. Depriving a babe of her facial
beauty!
This is a sad story. Readers beware of heart breaker’s nemesis! Lolly rushed
her luck. Allah’s time is the best. She destroyed precious happiness. When
her turn came she could not be left alone to enjoy her own.
The End
FA Cup: Titans Seek Finals Appearance
By Modou Nyang
The FA Cup semi final commences today with some of the big in Gambian club
football bidding for the country’s second most coveted club football prize.
League champions Real de Banjul aspiring to complete a double silverware
swoop this
season, face dethroned 2006 league champions Gambia Ports Authority at the
Independence Stadium in Bakau. Real are so full of confidence at this moment
following their demolition of arch rivals Wallidan at the quarter final stage.
And meeting Ports who are still reeling from the disappointment of
relinquishing their crown to Real at this stage of the competition following a
disappointing late season run. Speaks for it self in terms of the hostility and the
quality of play that is expected today.
Defending champions Hawks is also leaving no stone unturned in their quest
to retain their crown. Hawks outclassed Armed Forces 2-0 on Sunday to advance
to the semi final where they book a date with Bakau United on Sunday after
the Bakau side defeated second division club Kaira Silo 3-0.
Hawks knows what it is like playing in the Continent having tasted some
glory in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup, they are determined not to allow
that opportunity slip away. And Bakau United on the other hand narrowly escaped
relegation by drawing Real de Banjul 1-1 on the last day of the league
season, will want to regain some of their lost glory.
Gambian Trio progress to UEFA Cup Next Round
By Modou Nyang
All three Gambians battling out for progression in the UEFA Cup qualifying
rounds has progressed to the next stage of the competition.
It was goals galore in Norway as Tijan Jaiteh and his club Brann emerged
14-3 aggregate winners against Welsh side Carmarthen Town after demolishing them
6-3 at Brann Stadium. Thursday night’s result followed an earlier more
humiliating defeat of the UK club at their own grounds by 8 clear goals.
Tijan Jaiteh was in action for the entire period of the match and was not
lucky to be among the goal scorers. The Norwegian side took control of the game
early as Petter Vaagan Moen grabbed the opener in the 9th minute. Armann
Smari Bjørnsson doubled the score in the 18th minute and Robbie Winters made it
three and four in the 27th and 32nd minutes. Kristjan Ørn Sigurdsson and
Erlend Hanstveit completed the rout in the 56th and 57th minutes respectively.
In Finland, Dawda Bah’s HJK ensured their passage to the next qualifying
stage with a 1-0 victory over FC Etzella Ettelbruck of Luxembourg. Bah and his
side won the tier 3-0 on aggregate following a 2-0 triumph at home in first
leg in which he scored the opener in the 24th minute of the first half. HJK
broke the deadlock in the 26 minute through midfielder Vili Savolainen. Dave was
involved for the full duration of the game.
Over to Austria where Pa Saikou Kujabi and SV Ried went through despite
losing 2-1 away at FC Neftchi Baku of Azerbaijan. Ried won on aggregate by virtue
of their first leg 3-1 victory at home.
IN IEC ALLEGED FORGERY TRIAL
Kawsu Ceesay Denies Allegation
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The Former Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission
(IEC), Mr. Kawsu Ceesay, has on Tuesday 31July before Magistrate Bubacarr
Secka of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, denied allegation that he forged the
signature of the then Chairman, Mr. Ndondi Njie, to purchased election
materials from a company in Canada.
Mr. Kawsu Ceesay told the court that in June 2006, the IEC purchased some
election materials from Dakar, Senegal. He said the IEC wrote a letter to Trust
Bank to transfer D700,000 to The Gambia High Commission in Dakar and for
them to help in procuring the registration and election materials. He said he
was instructed by Mr. Ndondi Njie to sign the letter for The Gambia High
Commission in Dakar. Mr. Ceesay said that sometime in May 2006, Mr. Ndondi Njie
convened a Commission meeting and raised the issue of push and pull between him
(Mr. Njie and Kawsu), on the issue of placing an order for registration and
election materials from Code Incorporated. Mr. Ceesay said that Mr. Njie told
the Commissioners that he had never requested him (Kawsu) to place a firm
order for the materials. He said Mr. Njie told the Commissioners that he had
sent an email to CODE to stop the consignment which is already in Belgium
heading for The Gambia. He said that Mr. Njie maintained that the IEC has never
placed any order for materials from CODE. “My reaction was that, I insisted that
he give me the instructions to place for an order to CODE,” said Mr. Ceesay.
Mr. Ceesay indicated that at that point in time, the IEC has carried out an
inventory of the materials available at all the regional IEC offices and
discovered that registration cards and laminations were not sufficient. He added
that UNDP was also at the time trying to assist them to procure materials
from “I APSO” but that UNDP told them that they would be able to provide most
of the materials except for the voter registration cards and laminations. Mr.
Ceesay said that registration exercise could not take place without those
materials and that IEC has found itself in a difficult situation; that time is
running out for them and that the AU Summit was fast approaching with the
election to be held soon afterwards. He asserted that the IEC decided to purchase
some materials like films and laminations from Dakar, Senegal. He added that
the Commission decided to start the registration of voters on 19 June to 2
July 2006, even though there were little materials at hand at the time. “This
led to numerous problems, for eligible Gambians could not register because
materials are not sufficient,” said Mr. Ceesay. See next issue for all the
details.
“WORKERS NEED SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT,”
SAYS GWC SG
By Annia Gaye
The Executive Secretary General of The Gambia Worker’s Confederation, Pa
Modou K.B Faal has said that millions of workers, all over the world, are
suffering from Double or Treble Tragedies, as they are not only lowly paid but
their safety, health and environment is in constant threat and danger as a result
of very serious hazards at the work place.
Mr. Faal was speaking in the opening ceremony of a two day workshop, which
was held recently at the Corinthia Hotel, was organised by The Gambia worker’s
confederation in collaboration with the National Environment Agency on the
theme “The need for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) vis-à-vis Globally
Harmonized Systems(GHS) at the work place. He noted that work related
fatalities, injuries and loss of property, as a result of workplace hazards, are
common reading in the media. He further noted that the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) statistics on fatalities, injuries and loss of property which
are associated with Environment Hazards at the workplace are alarming and still
on the increase.
He explained that it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that
the workplace is safe, healthy and generally less hazardous as free as
possible. He said that it is “The Government whose responsibility is to update
occupational safety and health (OSH) laws and regulations and ensure that they are
strictly observed?” He further reiterated that there can never be a decent
environment without the consideration of occupation safety and health. This, he
said, is one of the greatest challenges workers and their Trade Union
Organisations are facing in the 21st century.
LAMIN R. DARBOE AND CO. TRIAL GETS A NEW MAGISTRATE
By Modou Jonga
The trial involving the state and Lamin R. Darboe, the UDP Kombo East
candidate in the last National Assembly Elections, and four of his supporters is to
proceed with a new presiding magistrate, Magistrate Ayub Johnny Njie, at
Brikama on 13 August, 2007.
The accused persons, who pleaded not guilty, are arraigned in court shortly
after the preceding Kombo East National Assembly by-election. The trial has
not proceeded for more than one year now due to various factors such as the
absence of prosecution witness, no consistent prosecuting officers, presiding
Magistrates and absence of defence counsel. The said trial was previously
before Magistrate Assan Martin, who before being fired gave the options of either
proceeding or striking out the case.
The accused persons were alleged to have committed unlawful assault thereby
causing actual bodily harm to their respective complainants on 15 May, last
year at Pirang in the Kombo East District of Western Region.
PLANNING UNITS INVOLVE GRASSROOTS ON 2008 BUDGET
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The annual interface forum being facilitated by The Pro-Poor Advocacy Group
(Pro-PAG) will today bring together stakeholders from the Department of State
for Finance and Economic Affairs (DOSFEA), government Planning Units and
representatives of four of the regions to identify priority inputs for the 2008
national budget at the Paradise Suites Hotel.
Pro-PAG is collaborating with DOSFEA, the Strategy for Poverty Alleviation
Coordination Office (SPACO) and Community Development to constructively engage
grassroots communities in a participatory budget process.
According to Pro-PAG this year is the first time that the Central River
Region (North) has joined the Western Region, North Bank Region and Upper River
Region in the European Union Financed- Support to Decentralise Rural
Development project. It is also indicated that the objective of the interface meeting
is to create a forum where the community representatives will have an
opportunity to engage the planning units with a view to having their most pressing
needs captured in the 2008 budget. As indicated by Dr. Siga Jagne, Director of
Pro-PAG. Dr. Jagne said: “These divisions have engaged local stakeholders in
the formulation of regional action plans, which have been derived from
community and ward action plans. It is expected that by capturing the views of the
grassroots communities, the budget would be much more reflective of the
needs of ordinary Gambian citizens”.
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