Bailo,

You are most welcome. I share your sentiments. Foroyaa is a vital read
and I always look forward to it myself and always eager to share.

Regards,

Kabir.


On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 16:11:53 +0000, Bailo Jallow <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Njie Jatta Njie,
> 
> Thanks for your Foroyaa forwards. I always look forward to them.
> 
> All the best,
> 
> Bailo.
> 
> >From: Amadu Kabir Njie <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> ><[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Fwd: Foroyaa Burning Issues
> >Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 12:43:27 +0000
> >
> >Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
> >
> >Issue No. 10/2005, 7-9 February, 2005
> >
> >
> >
> >Editorial
> >
> >ARREST AND DETENTION WITHOUT TRIAL
> >
> >The arrest and detention of National Assembly members, Imams, senior public
> >servants, businesspersons and other family men have been a subject of
> >discussion everywhere. The latest arrest and detention of the Imam of the
> >Airport mosque is a clear testimony of the trend of impunity that has
> >developed. People have expressed their bitterness but appear helpless. They
> >want FOROYAA to explain how this problem can be overcome.
> >
> >The lesson that people can draw is simple.
> >
> >First and foremost, we must demystify power. Secondly, we must challenge
> >unlawful exercise of authority to test the validity of oversight
> >institutions like courts. Thirdly, if oversight institutions perform their
> >duties but are defied by constituted authority there should be public
> >outcry to expose such constituted authority nationally and internationally.
> >Finally, the people should vote against any constituted authority which has
> >no respect for the constitution, the laws of the country and public opinion
> >at large.
> >
> >The laws of the country on arrest, detention and trial are very clear. The
> >limit set to the authority of the executive, legislature and judiciary are
> >very clear.
> >
> >Section 1 subsection (2) of the constitution states:
> >
> >"The sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from
> >whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and
> >for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be
> >exercised in accordance with this constitution."
> >
> >The facts are clear. The authority of government is derived from the
> >people. It should be exercised to promote the people's welfare. The limit
> >in the exercise of this authority should be based on what the constitution
> >stipulates.
> >
> >In terms of arrest and detention section 19 subsection (3) states:
> >
> >"Any person who is arrested or detained?b) upon reasonable suspicion of his
> >or her having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under
> >the Laws of The Gambia, and who is not released, shall be brought without
> >undue delay before a court and, in any event, within seventy-two hours."
> >
> >It is therefore abundantly clear that no one should be detained for more
> >than 72 hours without being taken before a court for judicial review.
> >
> >Only a court can order a person's detention after 72 hours in public
> >custody without court appearance. This is the law. Anybody who violates
> >this, even if the order comes from a higher authority, must be seen to be
> >contemptuous of the authority of the constitution and the courts. Such a
> >person is an outlaw, pure and simple.
> >
> >In a country where there is true respect for the rule of law, the law
> >enforcement officers are bound to listen to the dictates of the law, not
> >the dictates of might.
> >
> >All should work for a Gambia where authority is derived from the people and
> >exercised according to the law in their interest.
> >
> >SYLVA'S TRIAL STILL LINGERS ON
> >
> >By Surakata Danso
> >
> >The trial of the former Managing Director of Social Security and Housing
> >Finance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Sylva, which was schedule for Thursday, 3rd
> >February 2005 did not proceed. When this reporter asked a court official
> >why the case did not proceed he indicated that the head of the prosecution
> >team was before the Chief Justice on administrative matters.
> >
> >It could be recalled that when Mr. Sylva appeared before the Paul
> >commission he was asked about a standby generator owned by Ocean Bay Hotel,
> >which is a subsidiary of the Social Security and Finance Corporation. Some
> >days later Mr. Sylva was arrested and subsequently brought before the
> >Banjul Magistrates Court on a charge of perjury. Since Mr. Sylva's first
> >appearance in December 2004, the case has been adjourned several times upon
> >the application of the prosecution.
> >
> >When Foroyaa contacted ASP Dibba of the prosecution he confirmed that he
> >was engaged with the Chief Justice. On the next adjournment date ASP Dibba
> >told this reporter that his office is to see the defence team of lawyers
> >and fix a date.
> >
> >GAMBIA'S SUPERIOR COURTS LACK JUDGES
> >
> >By Sarjo M. Camara
> >
> >The three superior courts namely the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and
> >High Court are having difficulties in satisfying the constitutional
> >requirements regarding their constitution and operation.
> >
> >In an interview with this reporter, Mr. B. Y. Camara, the Master of the
> >High Court disclosed that none of these three courts meets its legal
> >mandate to be operational. He said section 121 of the constitution states,
> >"There shall be the Chief Justice and not less than seven (7) other judges
> >at the High Court," but that at the moment they do not even have the
> >minimum requirement by the constitution; that they have only six (6) judges
> >at the High Court. The Master said that the High Court has only one Gambian
> >born judge, Justice A. K. Savage, Justice M. A. Paul, employed by the
> >Gambian Government, two others from the Commonwealth and the rest from
> >Nigeria.
> >
> >On the Appeal Court, Mr. Camara said that section 129 of the constitution
> >states that there shall be a Court of Appeal with the President of the
> >Court and not less than three (3) appeal judges constituting it but, that
> >as at now Justice Wallace Grante is the only Gambian Appeal Court judge who
> >is also the Provisional President of the Court of Appeal. He said the
> >former President, Justice G. B. S. Janneh is now appointed as a Supreme
> >Court judge. Mr. Camara informed this paper that at times they draft judges
> >from the High Court to sit as Appeal Court judges temporarily if there is
> >any court.
> >
> >On the Supreme Court which is the last court of resort, section 125 of the
> >constitution states, "The Chief Justice and not less than four other
> >justices of the Supreme Court of The Gambia shall constitute the court." He
> >said apart from the present Chief Justice, Mr. Brobbey only one (1), a
> >Gambian judge, Justice G. B. S. Janneh sits there; that when cases are to
> >be heard at the Supreme Court they get judges from Supreme Courts in the
> >sub-region like Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone.
> >
> >He told this reporter that at the last two Supreme Court sittings they
> >brought Justice Ali from Nigeria, Justice Wood from Ghana, Justice
> >Mambilima from Zambia and Justice Joko Smart from Sierra Leone.
> >
> >He concluded that the present Chief Justice is striving very hard to ensure
> >that the requirements of the constitution are met regarding the
> >constitution and operation of the courts.
> >
> >WORKSHOP ON LOCUSTS
> >
> >By Tombong Jadama
> >
> >The Department of State for Agriculture is very much worried about the
> >invasion of locusts in The Gambia. As the swarms are now frequently coming
> >into the country in their millions, it appears that the department is
> >losing the battle. What actually surprises the farmers and Gambians at
> >large is that The Gambia was seen making preparations to prevent the
> >locusts invasion well before their arrival but now locusts are here and we
> >cannot remove them.
> >
> >On Wednesday 2nd February 2005 a two days workshop was organised by the
> >Department of State for Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and
> >Agricultural Organisation (FAO) at the Wellingara Agricultural Camp,
> >Serrekunda. Participants were drawn from all the Divisional Agricultural
> >Offices in the country. According to sources, the aim of the workshop was
> >to enable participants interact and familiarize with the locusts
> >coordinators at the divisional level so as to know the problems affecting
> >their work, especially in terms of fighting the menace. The workshop also
> >focused on the constraints during the course of the campaign. Team leaders
> >were also given the opportunity to highlight the dangers during the
> >spraying like the risks involved in using the chemicals or pesticides. The
> >workshop called the attention of donors for assistance or support in
> >fighting the locusts.
> >
> >Efforts to get in touch with the National Coordinator for the locusts
> >campaign, Mr. Bai Secka proved unsuccessful due to the official's busy
> >schedule. FOROYAA will get in touch with the authorities to shed light on
> >the issue.
> >
> >INTERVIEW WITH HALIFA SALLAH
> >
> >FOROYAA: You went to South Africa immediately after the signing ceremony to
> >establish the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD). What
> >was your trip about?
> >
> >Halifa: The bureau of the Pan African Parliament met to plan the next
> >ordinary session of the parliament which should take place in March. Since
> >I am responsible for writing the report on our trip to Darfur I had to give
> >a parliamentary briefing to the bureau. The final report will be submitted
> >to the parliament at the next session.
> >
> >FOROYAA: Can you measure the impact of the visit of the Pan African
> >Parliament taking that the crisis seems to be raging?
> >
> >Halifa: There are many institutions of the African Union. There is the
> >Assembly of Heads of State chaired by President Obasanjo. They are
> >responsible for policy making regarding Darfur. There is the Commission
> >headed by Chairman Konare. They are responsible for implementation of the
> >decisions of the heads of state. There is the Security Council which is
> >responsible for technical advice. All these institutions have collaborated
> >to establish an AU mission in Sudan to promote ceasefire and negotiate
> >settlement.
> >
> >The Pan African Parliament is an oversight institution. It sent us to
> >monitor the policies and their implementation on the ground and give advice
> >regarding their viability or otherwise. The impact of our trip comes after
> >we submit our report for debate by the Pan African Parliament and sent to
> >the other organs of the AU, the Sudanese government and the other regional
> >and national parliaments. I am confident that the report will help evoke
> >the right thinking on how to address the Darfur problem.
> >
> >FOROYAA: In your absence people like Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay took a few
> >shots at NADD. Would you like to comment on this?
> >
> >Halifa: I had already given a reply through the medium she used to lodge
> >her criticisms. I believe that most people considered my response to be
> >adequate.
> >
> >FOROYAA: In response to your comments she insisted that Jammeh will still
> >be contesting in 2011?
> >
> >Halifa: Well, that is her opinion. Jammeh has been in office since July
> >1994. If he were to be elected in office in both 2006 and 2011 he would
> >have stayed in the office of President for 22 years by the year 2016. I
> >still maintain that any president who does not subscribe to the 2 terms
> >limit will be a pariah by 2010.
> >
> >The new standards of governance being set on the continent would require
> >being part of the Africa Peer Review mechanism before any continental
> >office is held. Presidents must conform to democratic norms or be isolated
> >for the monarchical or dictatorial tendencies. Any person who wishes Jammeh
> >well should drive this lesson to him.
> >
> >FOROYAA: She also said that the Alliance is being driven by one ideology?
> >
> >Halifa: Politics operates at a mature plane when people on different sides
> >of the political spectrum focus less on trivial issues and more on issues
> >of policies and practices. I am expecting a mature intellectual response to
> >the MOU which may try to analyse its content with the view to expose
> >inadequacies.
> >
> >FOROYAA: Is the Alliance driven by one ideology?
> >
> >Halifa: Look at the decision making and technical organs of the Alliance.
> >Each party is represented by two persons. How can any party dominate the
> >others? For example, I am in certain committees at the level of the
> >National Assembly. When they accept ideas from me could one say that the
> >committees are driven by one party? Correct and sound ideas belong to all
> >those who are willing to accept them. I have emphasized that the Alliance
> >is based on the lowest common denominator of democratic principles that
> >could bind all the parties without any bowing down to the other. Maturity
> >and democratic debate enabled us to reach unanimity in views. This only
> >confirms that NADD will be able to build an open and tolerant society where
> >the media will convey divergent views.
> >
> >FOROYAA: How do you see the continuous arrest and detention of even Imams?
> >Is President Jammeh not trying to suppress dissent?
> >
> >Halifa: One thing is clear to me. No one possesses personal power. We
> >should condemn impunity and refuse to be cowered by it. In short, at one
> >time Sana Sabally had equal voice with Jammeh and was feared by many. Where
> >is he now? It is situation that gives power. Once situations change people
> >become as humble as the situation demands. Look at the white South Africans
> >today. Compare them during the time of apartheid. State power can be abused
> >to dominate people. However such domination does not last and no society
> >can build a foundation of peace, stability and security on the pillars of
> >oppression and impunity.
> >
> >FOROYAA: How is this to be checked?
> >
> >Halifa: Well, I was speaking to some ANC members of parliament. They
> >indicated that even though the opposition is weak in numerical terms in
> >South Africa, the mature democratic institutions have given rise to a
> >vibrant press and civil society organisation such as trade unions which
> >wield their power to check excesses in governance; that a person high in
> >office as the Vice President had her cut to size by the press and civil
> >society for allegations of corruption. Hence a country need strong and
> >viable institutions that can hold all authorities accountable. In the
> >Gambia civil society organisations are still quiet while efforts are being
> >made to the muzzle the press in the name of promoting responsible
> >journalism; even though the executive can use all the terms it outlaws to
> >caricature others.
> >
> >In my view, what is necessary now is to have a very strong opposition that
> >can enlist the confidence and support of the people. This is bound to put
> >pressure on the government to take the road of good governance as a coping
> >strategy or be very easy to defeat at the polls in 2006. The people should
> >really give their support to the Alliance so that it can serve to check the
> >uncontrolled might of the executive.
> >
> >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
> >
> >SIDIA'S CONTRIBUTION
> >
> >"CATTLE TAX PAYMENTS TO COUNCILS MUST STOP!"
> >
> >During his deliberation on the adjournment debate, the National Assembly
> >member for Wuli West, Hon. Sidia Jatta, indicated that even though there
> >has been a Local Government Act, the Councils, as they are now, are under
> >the control of Divisional Commissioners. "Councils are not decentralized in
> >any way and they are not rendering services to anyone in their localities
> >who are putting money in their coffers," said Sidia. "A member has said in
> >the National Assembly that drugs for animals are expensive because of the
> >tax levied on the products, but that the people are paying money for
> >services in the form of tax but as it has always been, these taxes are
> >collected by people who are not competent to collect them because they do
> >not have the technical know-how to render those services to the people who
> >are paying the tax," Sidia said. He told the Assembly that come next
> >meeting, they will either come with a private member's bill or a resolution
> >to put a stop to Councils collection of
> >  cattle tax from cattle owners because they are not providing any services
> >to cattle owners.
> >
> >
> >
> >"MAGGOTS EAT PATIENTS BEFORE THEIR DEATH!!!
> >
> >In his 2005 budget, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic
> >Affairs, Hon. Musa Bala Gaye indicated in paragraph 67 that the actual
> >total poverty reduction expenditures amounted to D382.8 million and D369.3
> >million, respectively; that of this amount D194.3 million (50 %) was
> >allocated to Education, D134.3 million (34 %) to Health and Social Welfare,
> >D44.3 million (11%) to Agriculture and D17.6 million (5 %) to National
> >Resources and the Environment in the year 2002. Similarly, he said, "In the
> >year 2003, D208.6 million (45 %) was allocated to Education, D172.9 million
> >(37 %) to Health and Social Welfare, D63.9 million (14 %) to Agriculture
> >and D17.2 million (4 %) to National Resources and the Environment."
> >
> >In reacting to this statement, the National Assembly member for Wuli West,
> >Hon. Sidia Jatta stated that he would want to ask the Hon. Secretary of
> >State how these millions that have been spent on Education, Agriculture,
> >Health brought about poverty reduction; that for him the investment in the
> >health sector has neither increased the amount of drugs nor has it made
> >drugs cheaper for the people. The National Assembly member for Wuli West
> >said that the millions that are spent on health have not improved any
> >conditions in health centres. He cited the Basse Health Centre as an
> >example where toilets are stinking and maggots are eating patients even
> >before they die! Sidia emphasised that this is no exaggeration, the
> >problems have aggravated because you can hardly go to a health facility
> >without a prescription to buy drugs.
> >
> >
> >
> >Issue No. 11/2005, 10-13 February, 2005
> >
> >USA'S MOST DIFFICULT DECISION
> >
> >FOROYAA'S HUMBLE ADVICE
> >
> >The new US Cabinet is without cautious Collin Powell and Ms. Rice is
> >treading on the most uncertain political grounds that the US has ever
> >walked on since it started its external interventions. The first diplomatic
> >error is to focus on Iran while Iraq is a powder keg waiting to explode.
> >The US administration sees election in Iraq as a success instead of a new
> >dilemma for the US administration as long as it aims to continue its
> >military presence and political influence in the country.
> >
> >The correct interpretation of the Iraq situation is that two centers
> >against US presence have been created, that a legal one which will emerge
> >at the wake of the election results and an armed opposition which
> >demonstrated its invincibility by being present even at the highest level
> >of security presence and alert.
> >
> >The differences between most members of the armed opposition and those who
> >participated in election contest are tactical and not strategic. Most of
> >them want the US military presence to end. The armed opposition were trying
> >to discourage the Iraqi people from participating in the elections by
> >calling it a sham that will not bring an end to the US occupation. Those
> >who participated in the elections were convinced that the ballot is the
> >easiest way to realise Iraq's sovereignty and independence. Hence after the
> >elections the attitude of the US will determine which side will claim
> >victory.
> >
> >If the US takes the hard decision of leaving Iraq to the Iraqi people to
> >decide all matters of their life, promote multilaterism to help a new Iraqi
> >government to take charge and be seen not to be a puppet of the US
> >government then the election will be seen as a serious success in Iraq.
> >However, if the US maintains its political and military presence and
> >dominance in Iraq, the armed opposition will claim victory and the election
> >will be seen as a sham.
> >
> >FOROYAA sees the ultimate outcome to be significant to international peace
> >and security which should be the common concern of all members of the
> >international community. We therefore hope that our humble reflection will
> >be given the consideration due by the US authorities via their embassy in
> >Banjul.
> >
> >FORMER HIGH COURT ACCOUNTANT PLEADS GUILTY
> >
> >Baba Gassama, a former High Court accountant who was charged with thirty
> >eight counts ranging from theft, personation, economic crimes,
> >falsification of records and destruction of public records has pleaded
> >guilty to three counts of theft, one count of economic crime, one count of
> >fraudulent false accounting and one count of personation.
> >
> >Baba Gassama appeared in court on Monday and Tuesday with his co-accused,
> >Papadadour Senghore Joof, who is facing theft and economic crime charges.
> >
> >The accused persons are arraigned in court for causing loss of revenue to
> >the state amounting to D1, 520, 000 (one million five hundred and twenty
> >thousand dalasi).
> >
> >The case did not proceed on Monday. However, when the case was called on
> >Tuesday, the prosecution team led by Mary Wood averred that the prosecution
> >met on Monday with the defence team. Mary Wood noted that the prosecution
> >agreed with the defence's proposal to reduce the charges preferred against
> >the first accused person, Baba Gassama to six counts. She noted that
> >Gassama did make up his mind to change his no guilty plea. She noted that
> >the prosecution had decided to reduce the charges preferred against Gassama
> >to six.
> >
> >Lamin Jobarteh, counsel for the first accused person later stood up and
> >applied to the court for the six counts preferred against his client to be
> >read in court.
> >
> >Antouman Gaye, counsel for Papadadour Senghore Joof said it was agreed at a
> >meeting held at the Attorney General's Chambers between the defence team
> >and the prosecution that the two sides will take a date for an adjournment
> >after the first accused takes his plea. He said the purpose of the
> >adjournment is for the prosecution and Lawyer Jobarteh to address the
> >court, whilst in the meantime the state will consider its position vis-?vis
> >the second accused person.
> >
> >The court later granted Mary Wood's application and struck out the other
> >thirty-two counts preferred against Gassama. The six counts of theft,
> >fraudulent false accounting, economic crimes and personation were read in
> >court for the first accused person, and he pleaded guilty to all of them.
> >
> >The case continues today.
> >
> >IGP BADJIE/SoS BAH ADMONISH POLICE OFFICERS
> >
> >The Inspector General of Police, Landing Badjie has urged senior police
> >officers to restore public confidence in the police force whilst noting
> >that supervision of stations is falling behind.
> >
> >IGP Badjie made this remark on Monday during the decoration of thirty-six
> >senior officers who were promoted to the ranks of Assistant Superintendent
> >of Police, Superintendent of Police, Chief Superintendent of Police and
> >Commissioners of Police. IGP Badjie paid homage to the Commander of the
> >mobile division of the police whom he said took three hundred and thirty
> >six offences to court, and succeeded in having the culprits convicted.
> >However, the Inspector General of Police was not pleased with other senior
> >officers whom he said failed to produce reports of crimes committed in
> >their jurisdictions. He expressed his disapproval of the performance of
> >officers responsible for checkpoints. He said the failure of the officers
> >to measure up to expectation prompted him to ban traffic checkpoints. The
> >Inspector General of Police also paid homage to the ex-police officers and
> >urged them to advise the police officers where necessary.
> >
> >According to IGP Badjie, his office in consultation with the Department of
> >State for the Interior and Religious Affairs, forwarded recommendations for
> >the promotion of senior police officers for the year 2005. He said
> >following the submission of the recommendation, the Police Service
> >Commission with effect from 1st January 2005 approved the promotion of
> >thirty-six senior officers to various ranks. Those promoted to the rank of
> >Commissioners of Police are the following: chief Superintendent, Ousman
> >Gibba, Biran Mbye, Edward Sambou and Famara Jallow. Those promoted to the
> >rank of Chief Superintendent of Police include former Police
> >Superintendents Pa Amady Jallow. IGP Badjie told the newly promoted
> >officers that their promotions should be conceived as an added challenge in
> >that their responsibilities will definitely increase, coupled with high
> >expectations in terms of their approach to duties.
> >
> >The Secretary of State for the Interior, Mr. Samba Bah urged the officers
> >to work hard in order to restore the image of the police force, whilst
> >urging them to supervise the junior officers. He said around 1981, the size
> >of the Police Force was under one thousand people.
> >
> >"I can safely say, things were better-off those days than now," he
> >remarked.
> >
> >He said the Police owe responsibility to the public and government, whilst
> >noting that some vehicles ply our roads without number plates.
> >
> >SoS Bah urged the promoted officers to be steadfast, dedicated, loyal, and
> >above all support the government in the execution of their duties in a
> >professional and efficient manner. He noted that the officers will be
> >measured against their performance vis-?vis their new assignments and
> >tasks.
> >
> >RVTH LACKS STAFF VEHICLE
> >
> >By Yaya Dampha
> >
> >Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) is the major referral hospital in
> >the country and offers services to many patients. It is also where our
> >major ill-health cases are treated. It is also a fact that people always
> >find it very hard to get transport to take them to work every working day.
> >This problem of transportation does not exclude the nurses and doctors
> >whose services are of immense importance to the communities.
> >
> >According the PRO of RVTH,Mr.Baboucar Ngum, they are facing a lot of
> >constraints when it comes to transporting staff to work. He said that it is
> >always very necessary to have the services of a nurse or doctor available
> >at any time when needed; that the hospital at the moment has only one bus
> >and it is the only vehicle they use to collect their workers some of whom
> >are living very far from Banjul. The PRO said that the X-ray department and
> >theatre are very important units which need vehicles for their staff; that
> >this will make service delivery to the public very easy and accessible. He
> >cited instances where the films in the X-ray department are finished during
> >the weekend and the member of staff responsible is not at work and needs to
> >be collected to supply the materials and there is difficulty to collect him
> >or her because of lack of transport; that if there is a vehicle at their
> >disposal they will then be able to collect staff who are needed during
> >emergency situations.
> >
> >The PRO said he is calling on the government and private donors to help his
> >department with vehicles in order for them to be delivering effective
> >services as required. Mr. Ngum commended the private sector and the
> >Independent Newspaper for the support they are giving to the RVTH in
> >helping it in its development.
> >
> >The PRO also seized the opportunity to inform this reporter that over one
> >hundred nurse attendants are currently on a training at the hospital to
> >improve their capacities in service delivery. By promoting the skills of
> >these nurses, Mr. Ngum said, RVTH is fulfilling its mandate as a teaching
> >hospital and many staff have so far benefited from training packages. He
> >said the hospital and its staff need the help of those from government and
> >the private sector.
> >
> >WORRIES DEEPEN AS TRADE SEASON SINKS
> >
> >By Tombong Jadama
> >
> >As this year's trade season sinks deeper in limbo, farmers are becoming
> >worried about their monies after taking their nuts to the various seccos.
> >The Department of state for Agriculture has allowed only one company
> >,Gamco, to operate accusing the others of not meeting the criteria to buy
> >nuts.
> >
> >According to other operators they have been operating in this country
> >seasonally for many years now without problems, but that this year they
> >were not allowed to operate by the government. An operator went on to
> >indicate that even though they are not allowed to operate, farmers?problems
> >are and should be the concern of every Gambian. He further indicated that
> >in previous years, there used to be more than four stakeholders in the
> >groundnut marketing business but still they were not able to meet the
> >tonnage expected. He said a single company cannot buy all the nuts in the
> >country; that the only thing they do is credit buying. He said the
> >government should allow other stakeholders to participate together with
> >other private operators so as to avoid the slow marketing characterized by
> >this year's season.
> >
> >When this reporter went to Gamco, he found many small operators waiting for
> >their cheques. Many spoke of their utter dissatisfaction with this year's
> >trade season; that for more than two weeks they had not received monies to
> >pay the farmers; that it is expensive to travel all the way from Basse to
> >come and spend weeks in Banjul without receiving their monies. However, it
> >has been disclosed to this paper that there will be a stakeholders?meeting
> >on Thursday 10th February 2005. Readers will be kept informed of
> >developments.
> >
> >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.
> >
> >PEOPLE'S VIEW ON THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
> >
> >By Abdoulie Dibba
> >
> >FOROYAA has been publishing in this column people's views regarding the
> >National Assembly at the end of the report of the proceedings of the
> >National Assembly. In this publication, FOROYAA got in touch with Baboucarr
> >Njie, a teacher.
> >
> >FOROYAA: Can you tell our readers your educational background?
> >
> >Mr. Njie: I attended Serrekunda Primary, Nusrat High and then Gambia
> >College School of Education.
> >
> >FOROYAA: Are you conversant with developments at the National Assembly?
> >
> >Mr. Njie: Very well! You see, the National Assembly is the highest
> >democratic institution in the country. It is the institution that should
> >ensure proper scrutiny of the Executive and all government departments and
> >ministries, plus their law making power. So because of this, very
> >democratically minded citizens should be conversant with the developments
> >taking place in such an institution.
> >
> >FOROYAA: What is your view on the performance of the National Assembly
> >regarding the role it should perform?
> >
> >Mr. Njie: I must start by emphasizing the fact that in any National
> >Assembly (Parliament) where the majority of the members see themselves as
> >one and the same with the Executive, that National Assembly or Parliament
> >will be reduced to a rubber stamp Assembly or Parliament and The Gambia is
> >not exception. The National Assembly should be independent from the
> >Executive. And this is why the constitution stated clearly in the preamble,
> >"The functions of the arms of government have been clearly defined, their
> >independence amply secured with adequate checks and balances to ensure that
> >they work harmoniously together toward the common good." This simply means
> >that none of the arms of government should serve as an underdog to the
> >other or others as the case may be. I therefore call on all members of the
> >Assembly to master the constitution to their fingertips and serve the
> >national interest which is supreme to individual interests.
> >
> >FOROYAA: What is your message to the electorate?
> >
> >Mr. Njie: My message is simple. The electorate should follow the
> >developments taking place at the National Assembly by attending sittings in
> >order to better judge the performance of their representatives because to
> >be honest with you, there are some who are doing very well but then there
> >are some doing badly.
> >
> >FOROYAA: Thank you Mr. Njie.
> >
> >Mr. Njie: Thanks goes to FOROYAA which is giving voice to the voiceless.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >---------------------------------
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