FYI

>From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
>Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:22:35 +0000
>
>
>
>Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
>
>Issue No. 63/2006, 9-10 July, 2006
>
> 
>
>Editorial
>
>It Is Unconstitutional To Subject IEC Commissioners To Police Or NIA 
>Enquiry
>
>The reports FOROYAA that Mr. Ndondi Njie, Mr. Ebrima Sanneh and Mr. 
>Sulayman Mboob are being subjected to interrogation by law enforcement 
>agents are quite alarming. The former IEC Commissioners are accused of 
>misconduct.
>
>The constitution does not want the Executive to interfere with the work of 
>the Commission. It does not want the members of the Commission to be 
>arrested any time while performing their duties. The Constitution wants the 
>Executive to respect the independence and impartiality of the Commission.
>
>This is why it says under section 43(3): “In the exercise of its functions 
>under the constitution or any other law, the Commission shall not be 
>subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.” What 
>should happen when the members of the Commissison are accused of 
>misconduct?
>
>According to section 42(6)(c) before being even removed from office for 
>one’s misconduct, “The President shall appoint a tribunal of three judges 
>of a Superior Court to inquire into the matter and report on the facts. A 
>member of the Commission shall be entitled to appear and be legally 
>represented before the tribunal.”
>
>Nothing is more derogatory to the office of Chairman and Commissioner of 
>the Independent Electoral Commission than to treat them like common 
>criminals while allegations of misconduct are under investigation.
>
>We call on the President to constitute the tribunal if he indeed has 
>information that the ex-members of the Commission are involved in 
>misconduct. We also call on the IEC Chairman to investigate and nullify any 
>electoral practice that emanates from whatever misconduct is alleged and 
>proven.
>
>The Executive must not be a complainant, prosecutor and judge at the same 
>time. It should not punish or threaten to punish. It should allow the law 
>to take its course without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. 
>
> 
>
>UDP SUPPORTERS IN COURT
>
>By Modou Jonga
>
>Five supporters of the United Democratic Party were on Monday 7th August 
>2006, arraigned before magistrate S B Tabally for unlawful assault thereby 
>causing their complainants bodily harm at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court. 
>Cadet A.S.P Badjie represented the IGP, while the defendants were said to 
>be represented by Lawyer Jobarteh, who was not present in court.
>
>According to the first charge sheet, Jerreh Fatty, contrary to section 179 
>of the Criminal Procedure Code, on the 15th of May 2006, at Pirang village, 
>Western Division, was found armed with a cutlass in public. The later 
>meanwhile pleaded not guilty to the first charge. Secondly, Jerreh Fatty, 
>according to the second charge sheet, on the 15th May 2006, at Pirang 
>village, assaulted one Lanuri Secka. When the charge was read to him, the 
>defendant pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, the accused was granted bail in 
>the sum of D30, 000 (thirty thousand dalasis) with one Gambian surety with 
>a correct contact address.
>
>In the same courtroom, Lamin R Darboe (the UPD candidate in the Kombo East 
>by- election) and Buba Darboe were also charged for assault. According to 
>the particulars of offence, the second accused Buba Darboe was charge for 
>assaulting one Kawsu Gibba, thereby causing him bodily harm. When the 
>charge sheet was read to him (the accused) he pleaded not guilty. He was 
>granted bail in the sum of D20, 000 (Twenty thousand dalasis) and the 
>person to bail him should provide a Gambian ID Card and a correct contact 
>address.
>
>Thirdly Maimuna Jobarteh was also charged for unlawfully assaulting one 
>Sainabou Touray, thereby causing her bodily harm. The accused person 
>pleaded not guilty. She was granted bail in the sum of D20, 000 (Twenty 
>thousand dalasis) with one Gambian surety who has an ID card and a correct 
>contact address.
>
>Lastly, Momodou Demba pleaded guilty to the assault charge preferred 
>against him. According to the particulars of the offence, the accused, 
>unlawfully assaulted one Awa Jatta. He was however granted bail in the sum 
>of D10, 000 (ten thousand dalasis) with one Gambian surety who has an ID 
>card and a valid contact address. The case was adjourned to the 17th August 
>2006 for hearing. 
>
> 
>
>DETAINED NIA OFFICERS RELEASED
>
>By Yaya Dampha
>
>The three detained National Intelligence Officers who were arrested and 
>detained at the Mile 2 Central Prison following the escape of the former 
>ADC to the president, Major Bajinka, have been released with conditions 
>attached. The arrested OCs includes Bamba Manneh, Samba Sowe and Nuru 
>Secka.
>
>According to the families of the detained officers, the 3 OCs were arrested 
>since the 22nd of July2006. Sources close to the NIA informed Foroyaa that 
>the three NIA Officers were among the team of officers who were sent to 
>arrest Major Bajinka and failed to do so.
>
>When contacted, the family members of one of the officers confirmed the 
>release of their loved ones. They further informed Foroyaa that the 
>officers were asked to stay at home. However, it is not clear why they were 
>asked to stay away from work.
>
> 
>
>NDONDI NJIE AND OTHERS RELEASED
>
>By Yaya Dampha
>
>The Former Chairman of the IEC, Mr. Ndondi Njie and two other commission 
>members, namely Sulayman Sait Mboob and Ebrima Sanneh, were arrested by the 
>National Intelligence Agents last Wednesday. They were all arrested after 
>being sacked. Readers would recall that when the new IEC Chairman, Mustapha 
>Carrol, was taking oath the President told the nation that he had given his 
>money to the IEC to buy films for the supplementary registration of voters. 
>The President claimed that the IEC boss had mismanaged that money. The 
>President did not say how much he gave to the IEC. However, during the last 
>budget speech, Gambians were told that the amount of one hundred and twenty 
>million dalasis was allocated to the IEC for them to be able to carry out
>their functions. When contacted, the NIA Officer refused to talk to 
>FOROYAA. FOROYAA was been reliably informed that the three former IEC 
>Senior Officers were later transferred to the Serious Crimes Unit of the 
>Police where they were detained for two days before being released on 
>Monday night. Our efforts to speak to the Police Public Relations Officer 
>on why the three were arrested and on what conditions they were released, 
>proved futile. 
>
> 
>
>FUEL SHORTAGE HITS BASSE AND SURROUNDING
>
>Reports reaching Foroyaa indicate that Basse and the surrounding villages 
>have been experiencing fuel shortage. This, according to our sources, is 
>because of the high demand for both petrol and diesel fuels, as a result of 
>the increasing number of motorcycles and household generators being used as 
>the people’s main source of electricity.
>
>In an Interview with a petrol station manager in Basse, the manager 
>expressed concern over the shortage of fuel, which according to him, is a 
>creating both financial and social problems for families in the area. In a 
>similar interview with another petrol dealer on the Basse Mansajang 
>Highway, he said the perceptual shortage of the fuel in Basse is a cause 
>for concern, which he said, needs to be addressed. A local fuel dealer at 
>the Basse MRC Highway said the shortage of fuel is contributing to the 
>setback of so many
>businesses in the areas. He stated that many businessmen and women in Basse 
>entirely depend on fuel either directly or indirectly for their daily 
>source of income. However, when this reporter made a phone call to Basse 
>before going to press, he was told that a consignment of fuel arrived from 
>Senegal.
>
> 
>
>TOURISM AREA FLOODED
>
>Thousands of Dalasis Lost In Damages
>
>By Bubacarr K. Sowe
>
>A heavy down pour of rain in the early hours of Tuesday morning, has left 
>the Kairaba and Senegambia Hotel, Bars, Restaurants and Offices flooded to 
>almost window level. The Standard Chartered Bank branch in that area was 
>also affected. Among the damages at the two major hotels included 
>computers, chairs, sofas, beds, electronic equipment and several other 
>items. The wall that borders the Kairaba and Senegambia Hotels, also fell 
>down because of the water.Abdel Hakim El-Nahry, General Manager of Kairaba 
>Hotel, said it is too early to assess the level of damage, but that he 
>believes it will be high. “By seven o’clock in the morning, it was not 
>possible to see the garden. The water level was so high that it reached the 
>electric plugs and I am
>sure, most of our computers and telephone lines have been affected. A wall 
>was knocked down by the storm.” Mr. El-Nahry told Foroyaa.
>
>Memunata Junisa, Human Resources Manager at the Kairaba Hotel said that 
>their stores, hall and conference rooms, guest rooms including the 
>Presidential block were seriously flooded. Madam Junisa indicated that in 
>most part of the hotel, the water level was above one metre, blocking most 
>toilets. The hotel’s swimming pool was turned into a stream. “All our staff 
>were called to come on board to clear the mud and pushed the water back. 
>Most of our computers and equipment got wet. We have to turn off the 
>electricity for safety, because everything was wet,” Junisa told our 
>reporter.
>
>At the Senegambia Hotel, the same picture emerged. A staff at the hotel 
>said that more than twenty glass doors were broken by the surging water.
>
>A manager who beg for anonymity said that inadequate drainage at the hotels 
>area could be the cause of the floods. “The way the drainage is designed in 
>this area is not good,” the man said. Another manager said: “There was 
>serious flooding in all the offices and the reception area. The water was 
>between fifteen to seventy centimeters high and in some areas it was up to 
>a metre. We had to call all workers to come.
>
>The rooms in the garden and all the shops were affected.” The staff added 
>that they cannot presently assess the level of damage, since it is so 
>prompt.
>
>However, an eye witness to the scene has indicated that the damages in the 
>two major hotels and surrounding shops and bars, will amount to hundreds of 
>thousands of dalasis.
>
>A British Photographer, Haward Pain who took several shots in the affected 
>areas, said that the beach was eroded.
>
>Diana Bolton and Lyn Grant, both British school teachers on holidays at the 
>Kairaba Hotel said most of their belongings were soaked in the flood waters 
>but showed gratitude to the hotel staff for taking care of them during the 
>flood.
>
>Another area seriously affected is the Wedad’s Building which houses the 
>Standard Chartered Bank, MJ Financial Services, Palm Real Estate and the 
>Chinese restaurant. The Wedad generator room was also one metre deep in 
>water. Alagi Gaye, a security guard at the Standard Chartered Bank said 
>that their bank also suffered a minor flood last season.
>
>The Gambia Tourism Authority has attributed the flood to poor drainage.” 
>This is a natural disaster. The drainage system is inadequate and we will 
>jointly work this out,” said Amadou Ceesay, Acting Director General of 
>G.T.A.
>
>However, Foroyaa has learnt that a meeting between the GTA, the Kairaba and 
>Senegambia Hotels was held on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the floods that 
>hit the area.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>FLOOD IN EBOTOWN AREA
>
>By Annia Gaye
>
>Heavy rain has caused serious flood in Ebo Town. The rain which lasted for 
>more than two hours has destroyed several compounds and roads in the area. 
>On Tuesday evening, the downpour that was accompanied by thunder left 
>several people struggling to empty their compounds which were inundated 
>with water.
>
>Speaking to some of the compound owners, Mr. Alhagie Marega said that the 
>water flooded all their houses. He said that all this happened because the 
>road constructors did not provide gutters that would allow the free flow of 
>water to the creek. He thanked God that no life was lost during in the 
>terrible floods but said that many of their materials perished.
>
>He called on government to give a helping hand to them and empty gutters so 
>that the water can flow freely through.
>
>Jerreh Ceesay an old man, whose compound was seriously destroyed, said the 
>inundation brought down the fence of his compound and is presently 
>undermining the foundation of his house, where it dug a big hold.
>
>He stated that he has lived in that place for over a decade but had never 
>seen a disaster like that. “We put sand bags by the house to avoid further 
>erosion there,” he said. Yankuba Bah, a shopkeeper, also said that the 
>water has entered his shop and destroyed many items like rice, soap, and 
>many other commodities.
>
>Many victims of the flood, who spoke to this reporter, expressed similar 
>sentiments. Infact in some compounds, the water rose to a meter high. The 
>mark could be seen on the alls of the houses. The people bitterly 
>criticised the road constructors.
>
> 
>
>FISHERMEN BEMOAN HIGH ENERGY COST
>
>Bubacarr K. Sowe
>
>Fishermen engaged in large scale fishing have complained that the high cost 
>of electricity is making them unable to compete with fishermen in the 
>neighbouring Countries.
>
>The fishermen made these statements on Friday at the Sun Beach Hotel in 
>Bakau during a meeting organised by the Gambia-European Commission 
>Cooperation.
>
>“The high cost of energy makes us unable to compete with fishermen in 
>Senegal or in other countries,” said the fishermen. Another one added: 
>“Ghanaian and Senegalese fishermen are building storey buildings. They are 
>not poor as us.”
>
>However, the construction of infrastructures such as landing sites was 
>another aspect that the fishermen pointed out as among their need.
>
>The Director of Fisheries, Abiatou Njie, said that a fishing port will be 
>established soon and ICE plants have been built in Bakau, Tanji, Banjul and 
>Gunjur.
>
>Mr. Njie also expressed shock over a scene he witnessed in which a large 
>amounts of bonga fish was dumped back into the water due to lack of market 
>or proper handling. 
>
> 
>
>DARBOE REBUTS FJC AND BALA
>
>Fabakary B Ceesay
>
>The Leader of the UDP/NRP Alliance, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, has countered 
>the claims made by Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay and SOS Bala Garba Jahumpa at a 
>recent APRC rally held in Wellingara. 
>
>Nominated Member Fatoumata Jahumpa has challenged the UDP/NRP leader to 
>take heart and join the APRC.  She reminded Darboe of his congratulatory 
>message to President Jammeh after the October 2001 polls in which the 
>UDP/NRP leader conceded defeat to President Jammeh.  “So why be an 
>opposition to the president still?” She asked Darboe.  She noted that one 
>day the UDP/NRP leader will finally join the APRC and rally behind 
>President Jammeh.
>
>Addressing the same gathering, SOS Bala Garba Jahumpa blamed Mr. Darboe for 
>castigating the president on the vehicles he brought to host other guests 
>during the African Union Summit {AU).  He said that Darboe attacked Jammeh 
>for buying expensive Vehicles. “I think Darboe wanted the highly respected 
>personals to be carried by “gele geles” (large commercial vehicles),” he 
>said.
>
>Granting an interview with this reporter, Mr. Darboe brushed aside the 
>claims made by Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay.  Darboe pointed out that the 
>statement from FJC shows her level of maturity in politics.  
>“Congratulating one and accepting the results are a clear manifestation of 
>the tradition of Democracy,” Darboe stressed.
>
>On the issue of joining the APRC, Mr. Darboe responded thus: “If the pope 
>can perform the Hajj, then Ousainou Darboe and the UDP/NRP leadership can 
>join the APRC party.” 
>
>Mr. Darboe also countered the claims made by SoS Jahumpa with regards to 
>high cost of vehicles as not issues to dispute over.  He said that there 
>are fantastic Mercedes Benzes and brown new Pajero at the disposal of the 
>government and that the dignitaries can ride confortably in them.  Mr. 
>Darboe also said that even though he never expected the dignitaries to be 
>brought by “gele geles”, but that he never expected them to buy those types 
>of vehicles at the time that the country is suffering economically.  Darboe 
>faulted the government for spending such an extravagant expenditure when 
>poor Gambian farmers
>had their peanuts taken away from them and have not been paid.  “The   AU 
>was just a two days affair and we are now saddled with those vehicles. I 
>think SoS Jahumpa should be modest and honest to the Gambian people, 
>instead of trivializing issues,” he said.  The UDP/NRP leader accepted that 
>he accepted the guests to be given due respect and be accorded with 
>facilities, but not those types of facilities that the poor Gambian cannot 
>give them.  He noted that the AU dignitaries were not using those types of 
>vehicles when they met in Sudan.  He asserted that even though
>Sudan’s hosting cannot be compared to that of The Gambia.  “But people like 
>SoS Jahumpa will always try to explain the unexplainable and to justify the 
>unjustifiable,” he said.
>
>The UDP/NRP flag bearer also shrugged off claims made by Fabakary kolior 
>Camara, who claimed to be the assistant auditor of the UDP Youth Wing in 
>Lower River Division (LRD).  According to Darboe, he had no knowledge of a 
>UDP auditor in LRD or an assistant auditor.  He said that Mr. Camara is a 
>political opportunist shifting from party to party.  Darboe noted that the 
>defection of Mr. Camara will have no negative impact on his party as LRD is 
>already their stronghold. 
>
> 
>
>IMAM TAFSIR GAYE SPEAKS OUT
>
>By Abdoulie Dibba
>
>Imam Tafsir Gaye asserted that the visit of the newly ordained Catholie 
>Bishop of Banjul Ellison was an indication of a long standing Godly 
>relationship that exists between Christians and Muslims in Banjul. Imam 
>Gaye made this statement during an interview with Foroyaa at his Banjul 
>resident. Imam Gaye indicated that the relationship between Christians and 
>Muslims in Banjul started as far back as his childhood. He said due to good 
>neighbourliness, the Muslims and Christians were more particular about 
>their human relation than religion. Revealing his
>relation with Bishop Cleary to this reporter, Imam Gaye pointed out Bishop 
>Cleary has a strong relation with Imam Abdoulie Jobe who used to delegate 
>him (Gaye) to attend occasions on his behalf. This, Imam Gaye said, 
>cemented his relation with Bishop Cleary. Imam Gaye asserted that that was 
>precisely the reason why during the visit of Pope John Paul II, he (Gaye) 
>and the Late Imam Abdoulie Jobe went to the Airport to welcome him. Talking 
>about Bishop Ellison’s visit, Imam Tafsir Gaye said that Bishop Ellison was 
>given a warm welcome. Present at that warm welcome ceremony were the 
>following elders of Banjul:
>
>Ngaga Jah, Alhagi Babou Sowe, Dr. Dawda Manga, Alhagi Daddy Saloum Njie, 
>Alhagi Modou Mbye, Alhagi Malick Ceesay deputising for Mustapha Wadda of 
>Half-Die Mosque Alhagi Ngora Nyang, Aja Mariam Sowe, Aja Ramou Jobe, Aja 
>Ndey Leigh and Alhagi Bambo Jammeh.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>ED
>Don't just search. Find. MSN Search Check out the new MSN Search!
>

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
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]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤