Of Broken Promises
http://allafrica.com/stories/200307180409.html
The Independent (Banjul)
EDITORIAL
July 18, 2003
Posted to the web July 18, 2003
Banjul
For the past eight years, July 22nd anniversaries are characterised by wild
promises of improved social conditions spearheaded by Jammeh's revolution.
It is an occasion for President Jammeh to let loose his mouth on marathon
Castro-like speeches that wax vain lyrical about transforming The Gambia
into some paradise. These promises are mainly tied to developmental
projects, including rural electrification, which "will be enjoyed by all
Gambians". He also uses the occasion to speak scathingly of the West,
hauling them over the coals for insisting on their own version of democracy
for the African continent. However, in recent anniversaries, he has warmed
to the West, speaking in less eulogizing terms about George Bush being a
man of his words. But that is a different kettle of fish altogether, only
that it takes us closer to understanding His Excellency's inconsistencies
over what he says now and what he does later. Which takes us to his promise
characterised with some swearing that unless the rural electrification
project is done and dusted his revolution should be considered a resounding
failure.
What have we seen? A good chunk of rural folks are still groping in the
dark. Aggravatingly, Nawec has provided more blackouts than electricity to
urban Gambia and looking at the way things are currently, it is
inconceivable how Jammeh's electrification could be a reality. Many Greater
Banjul residents have forgotten what it is like to enjoy healthy supply of
power. Erratic ons and offs have put paid to many electrical devices, which
goes unaccounted for. The arrival of two life-size generators two years ago
has done nothing - absolutely nothing - to curb the menace especially after
realising how these machines had received too much media attention
sanctioned by a regime gloating over them.
Watching the generators slowly make their way to Kotu, one could be
forgiven that The Gambia would be going Ghana soon. Two years on, the
problem is still there. The wasted fortunes spent on those generators could
have been better utilized in other vital areas of our economy. It is hard
to buy the argument that those machines were brand new. But if they are so,
what the heck is the problem? Why are we constantly in the dark? Why are we
presented with heart stopping and throat cutting bills?
Why oh, why is our power supply the worst in the sub-region even after
Jammeh appointed himself to the task of handling it?
We join other Gambians in inquiring why President Jammeh has flopped with
the "power promise". We want to know why he is treating it with kid gloves.
Manning the power department has not left Gambians jumping for joy. It was
a bad old story before he took custody of the embattled department; it is
the same bad old story now that he heads it. If Jammeh wanted to show how
serious he was about the power problems by appointing himself head of it,
all has not been good enough. He has bitten more than he can chew. Actions
carry more emphasis than hollow promises made in every resplendent July 22
anniversary. Gambians are sick and tired of hearing that engine number 6 or
4 was going cranky or that Nawec were on load scheduling.
Another July 22nd anniversary is around the corner. As expected, Jammeh
will make more promises again. With him dying to get into the good sights
of the US, taking the West to the cleaners might be side stepped.
However, flopping in the rural electrification project is one thing that
Gambians will not forget in a hurry.
To have their promises put on a high by H.E only to be shattered to
smithereens is one nasty joke. In as much as it is human to err, the
president did not err. Those who err apologise but Jammeh has never
apologised despite his catalogue of wrongs.
Knowing him for who he is it would be the eighth wonder of the world if he
does.
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