Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues

Issue No. 53/2005, 7-10 July 2005

Editorial

JAMMEH LOSES HIS BEARING

The position of a president of a republic is a position of integrity, dignity and wisdom. Presidents of nations often become statesmen or stateswomen who serve as sources of inspiration to their respective peoples or peoples of the world. A president cannot say whatever he or she likes. He or she must strategise and from a tactical point of view calculate every word that flows out of his or her mouth. He or she must know what to say, how to say, when to say it and where to say it. Uttering the wrong words can be very costly at times. Statesmen of the calibre of Nelson Mandela are people president Jammeh needs to learn from.

Describing NADD as the “National Association of Desperate Donkey Drivers” is to make himself look petty in the eyes of the people. Jammeh is still living in the past. He doesn’t realise that the days of character assassination, insults and subterfuges are over. A new Gambia is in the making, a Gambia in which the politics of issues prevail.

Yaya Jammeh was elected as president by Gambians in 2001 and to be re-elected in 2006 he has to convince the people that he deserves to be re-elected. He will undermine his chances of being re-elected if he keeps insulting while his political opponents continue to deal with issues.  He need not become angry and frustrated, ranting and raving about the performance of Opposition National Assembly Members, or the exclusion of The Gambia from the list of countries to benefit for debt cancellation.

In fact his talk about extending operation no compromise to the National Assembly simply strengthens the position of his political opponents that he has monarchical tendencies.  His desire is to control all three arms of the state.

The National Assembly is an independent institution with constitutional powers to remove even the president or a secretary of state from office.  Therefore to boast that he dictates what goes on in the National Assembly is to suggest that the majority of members of the National Assembly are philistines who wait for instructions from a master or mistress.

This does not augur well for the National Assembly and strengthens the allegation of his political opponents that the National Assembly is a rubber stamp.  In short, section 112 of the Constitution states that “All members shall regard themselves as servants of the people of The Gambia, desist from any conduct by which they seek improperly to enrich themselves from the people and shall discharge their duties and functions in the interest of the nation as a whole and in so doing shall be influenced by the dictates of conscience and the national interest.”

President Jammeh needs to remain calm, cool and collected, think soberly and maturely and act wisely.  Mark your word Mr. President. Tread on safe grounds and avoid falling in a ditch.



OPPOSITION SEATS DECLARED VACANT

The Supreme Court on Thursday declared all four seats of the Opposition National Assembly Members vacant.  The court also asked the Independent Electoral Commission to carry out its constitutional responsibility to conduct by elections in the four respective constituencies, namely Serrekunda Central, Wuli West, Uppers Saloum and Jarra West.

According to the court, National Alliance for Democracy and Development is not an alliance but a political party;  that the four NAMs therefore belong to two political parties, the political party which they belong to and NADD which is considered by the court to be a political party.

According to the court the constitution and the law does not permit a person to belong to two political parties.  The court argued that the four NAMs have abandoned their parties to form NADD.  It held that by doing so they have contravened Section 91 (1) (d) of the Constitution and have therefore vacated their seats. The court concluded by declaring the four seats vacant.

If the four NAMs decide not to file an application for review by the court it would mean that the legal battle for the mind of the Supreme Court is over, we will now then look forward to the battle for the hearts and minds of the people in the four respective constituencies.  They are the final arbiter of who should occupy those four seats in the National Assembly.

The IEC has 90 days from the date of the seats became vacant to conduct by elections in the four respective constituencies.

As it stands there is not a single opposition seat in the National Assembly, not because of the decision of the electorate but because of legal technicalities as to whether NADD is a political party or an alliance.

In the by elections the people have to decide whether they want the four seats to remain opposition seats that will continue to keep the government on its toes or whether they want a defacto One Party State.  The people are supreme and their decision is supreme.



CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE

ON THE ISSUE OF CENTRAL BANK



By Abdoulie G. Dibba

In his contribution to the adjournment debate on Friday, the Minority Leader and member for Serrekunda Central, Hon. Halifa Sallah, asserted that there are contradictory information coming from the Executive regarding the financial situation of the Central Bank. Hon. Sallah indicated that he raised questions about the Central Bank and that they were told by the Attorney General that monies that should have been paid to the Central Bank were being pursued and that the Secretary of State for Finance indicated right there in the Hon. Assembly that it amounted to more than D400 million. Hon. Halifa Sallah indicated that recently he raised a question and that they have been told that the audited account does not reflect any form of mismanagement. He emphasised that there are contradictory information coming from the executive and that they need to raise more questions, so that they may be given consistency. Halifa stressed that the Attorney General even emphasised in the August Assembly
 that they would not be prosecuting those individuals; rather they are developing mechanisms of recovering what they have taken. Halifa therefore said that if that has not reflected in the audit exercise then he wonders how accountable the auditing exercise was. On the currency, Hon. Sallah indicated that they have talked about it but it is clear from the constitution that the Central bank is responsible for the issuing of currency, and that the Central Bank is also accountable to the National Assembly. Halifa pointed out that section 162 (10) of the constitution states very clearly that “Within three months, following the end of its financial year, the Central Bank shall submit to the National Assembly, a report of its activities and businesses for the previous year.” Halifa stressed that the Members of the National Assembly must insist on this and that the Secretary of State for Finance should be informed because he is responsible for the Central Bank. Halifa concluded that they
 must insist on this so that the reports would be before them in order to scrutinize the reports as they should and prevent the abuses they heard at the Central Bank. At this stage, the Deputy Speaker Hon. Belinda Bidwell took the floor: “Hon. Speaker, I want to inform the Hon. Member for Serrekunda Central that the committee I chaired wrote to the Central Bank to submit their report which they never did.” The Speaker then enquired: “Was the copy of the letter sent to the Speaker’s office? If the copy of letter was sent to the Speaker’s office, then the Speaker’s office would have pursued the matter vigorously.” The Deputy Speaker answered: “We do not know that Mr. Speaker. Next time we will send it through your office. Halifa: that is the message and we must insist that the constitutional provisions are respected.



D45 MILLION SPENT ON CERTAIN KEY ROADS IN KMC

During the question and answer session at the National Assembly, the Minority Leader and Member for Serrekunda Central Hon. Halifa Sallah, raised the following questions regarding the roads constructed under the auspices of the Department of Works in KMC and the cost involved: “Mr. Speaker, would the Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure indicate to this National Assembly, all roads constructed under the auspices of the Department of State in the KMC area since 2002 and the cost involved in constructing each road?” In response, SoS Sock, deputising for SoS Bala Garba Jahumpa, said that improved access to both urban and rural areas are central to government’s efforts to provide transport infrastructure for the Gambian people; that it is in this respect that certain key roads in the KMC area were recently constructed to the highest standards under the auspices of the Department of State for works, Construction and Infrastructure, at a total cost of forty-five
 million, seven hundred and twenty-five thousand, nine hundred and thirty dalasis (D45, 725, 930); that these roads and the cost of rehabilitating each of them are as follows:

1.         Garba Jahumpa Road in Bakau – D4, 410, 450

2.         Atlantic Road D5, 410, 100

3.         Maroun’s Supermarket – Radio Gambia Road – D4, 388, 256

4.         Old Cape Road and Bridge – D9, 202, 850

5.         Kanifing Road Network – D4, 767, 000

6.         widening and extension to the road junction at Sting Corner, widening and extension of the Badala/Old Jeshwang junction; construction of roads and roundabouts near Ndeban Hospital, widening of the junction at Maroun’s Supermarket in Bakau and widening of shoulders to the Atlantic Road in Bakau, between the IBC Bank and the African Village Hotel – D3, 735, 683

7.         Stadium Roads complex – D10, 855, 184

8.         Main Road through Old Jeshwang from Banjul/Serrekunda Highway via the prison to Badala Highway – D3, 355, 407

These give a total of D45, 725, 930.

In a supplementary question raised by the Hon, member for Upper Saloum Hon. Hamat Bah as to whether FIFA has contributed to the construction of these roads, SoS Sock said that the construction and rehabilitation of these roads was solely done by government. Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta raised his concern as to why the construction and rehabilitation of roads in KMC are concentrated only in one particular area instead of the whole municipality? In response, SoS Sock said that the other part of the project when implemented will address the Hon. Member’s concern.



D33.9 MILLION SENT ON SEEDS AND FERTILIZER

In response to a question raised by the Member for Jarra West Constituency regarding the amount spent by the Department of State for Agriculture on the purchase of groundnut seeds and fertilizer for the 2004 cropping season:- SoS Sock, deputizing for SoS Yankuba Touray, the current holder of the agriculture portfolio, said that the Department of State for Agriculture spent D21, 840, 000 (twenty-one million eight hundred and forty thousand dalasis) on the purchase of groundnut seeds for the 2004 cropping season. However, SoS Sock said that with regards to the purchase of fertilizer, the Department of State for Agriculture spent the sum of D12, 135, 000 (twelve million one hundred and thirty-five thousand dalasis) for the 2004 cropping season. In a supplementary question, the National Assembly member for Basse, Hon. Momodou Selu Bah, raised the following question: “Mr. Speaker, would the SoS inform this Hon. Assembly, which area(s) benefited from the seeds and fertilizer?” In response,
 SoS Sock said that he would refer the question to the SoS for Agriculture.



IN-DEPTH ON OPPOSITION NAMs CASE

The Supreme Court consisting of the Chief Justice Steven Alan Brobbey, Justice Tahirr, Justice Savage, Justice Belgoreh and Justice Georgina Wood on Monday commenced the hearing of the civil suit filed by the four opposition National Assembly members against the clerk of the National Assembly, the Independent Electoral Commission and the Attorney General.

The four National Assembly Members, namely: Halifa Sallah of PDOIS, Sidia Jatta of PDOIS, Hamat Bah of NRP and Kemeseng Jammeh of UDP are challenging the authority of the National Assembly clerk who wrote to the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission informing him that the seats of the four National Assembly members are vacant and that he should hold by-elections in their various constituencies.

On Friday morning Emmanuel Fagbenle representing the clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General, filed what he called a memorandum of issues. Below are the issues raised by Fagbenle;

(1)        Whether NADD is a registered political party.

(2)        Whether the plaintiffs have become members of another political party other than the political parties they belonged to at the time of their election to the National Assembly.

(3)        Whether the alliance formed by the plaintiffs with others on the 17th January 2005 is authorised by their political parties constitutions.

(4)        Whether in the circumstances of this case, the plaintiffs’ seats in the National Assembly have not become vacant.

(5)        Whether the clerk of the National Assembly pursuant to section 91 (3) of the 1997 constitution of the Gambia as amended, has a duty to inform the Independent Electoral Commission of the vacancies in the National Assembly.

In paragraph 21 of their statement of defence, the defendants have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the plaintiffs’ (The National Assembly members claim and declare (a) The seats of the plaintiffs in the National Assembly vacant having become members of a new political party other than the one they were members at the time f their election in to the National Assembly.

(b) that the seat of a National Assembly member can become vacant if any of the conditions stipulated in section 91 (1) (A) (E) of the constitution arise and the clerk of the National Assembly informs the IEC pursuant to section 97 (3) of the constitution.

(c) that the letter in reference 3-7, 0-1 (71) dated 16th June is valid and effective.

It is important to note that the letter referred above is the letter written by the National Assembly clerk to the Independent electoral Commission.

(d) an order directing the second defendant/respondent (The IEC) to carry with his constitutional responsibilities  pursuant to paragraph (c) above.

When the case was called on Monday before a crowded court room, Ousainou N.M. Darboe stood up and announced his appearance with Borry Touray and Mariam Denton for the plaintiffs. Emmanuel Fagbenle later stood up and announced his appearance for the clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General while Sidney Riley announced his appearance for the Independent Electoral Commission.

In his argument, Mr. Darboe argued that the plaintiffs objected to the relief sought by the clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General. He argued that the court is incompetent to hear the reliefs sought by the clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General. Going further, Mr. Darboe who is heading the defence team, argued that the first defendant (the clerk) and the third defendant (the Attorney General) are seeking relief by relying on the constitution. He said the defendants cannot seek relief by relying on their statement of defence, while noting that the reliefs sought by the defendants in paragraph 21 of their statement of defence should be separated from the statement of defence. He argued that the said reliefs sought by the defendants should be brought to court by way of a counter claim. He noted tat the reliefs sought by the defence are reliefs that can be sought by invoking the original jurisdiction of the court. At this juncture, the learned counsel
 decided to cite section 5 of the constitution to back his claim. He noted that the un-inclusion of the word declaratory relief in section 137 of the constitution does not bar the court from granting declaratory reliefs. He noted that declaratory relief can be sought by invoking the original jurisdiction of the court. The learned counsel at this stage cited a case that was before the Supreme Court to support his position. He also cited Rule 45 of the Rules of the Supreme Court to support his position. Going further, Mr. Darboe cited a case involving the UDP and the Attorney General. He also cited another case involving one Opong and the Attorney General and others before the Supreme Court of Ghana.

In his argument, Emmanuel Fagbenle said Mr. Darboe has mistaken paragraph 21 with the issue that is to be determined by the court. At this juncture, Justice Georgina asked Fagbenle whether he is asking for relief. The state counsel at first said it was not a relief but later answered in the positive. He went on to say that there is no provision in the Rules of the Supreme Court for cross action. At this juncture, Justice Belgoreh butted in to tell Fagbenle to tell the court the direction he was heading to.

Justice Georgina at this stage urged the State Counsel to make up his mind.

“If you (Fagbenle) say you want to counter claim, say so and support your case,” she remarked.

At this point Mr. Fagbenle regarded paragraph 21 as a relief. He said that the Rules of the court do not call for the filing of a counterclaim, noting that the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is unique. Going on, he argued that once a writ of summon is filed in court, the jurisdiction of the court is invoked, and the counterclaim attached to the statement of defence is proper.

Mr. Darboe stood up and cited Rule 45 of the Supreme Court to advance his argument. He noted that the defence’s position cannot be transferred into an action. He said the authority does not give the court the power to allow a suit that should have been filed. He asked the court to strike out paragraph 21 of the statement of defence.

In his response, Fagbenle posited that the practice at the High Court is that statements of defence and counterclaims are not separately filed. The State Counsel also relied on Rule 7 of the Rules of the Supreme Court to support his position. This rules allow the Supreme Court to make decisions where the rules do not make provision. He said paragraph 21 in the statement of defence is talking about the determination of the issue before the court.

When Mr. Darboe was asked to consider Rule 7 by the court he indicated that it was not applicable in this case, noting that what the first and third defendants have done is to transform their defence into action. He opined that Rule 7 does not give the court power to accept suits not properly filed, noting that following the correct procedure is not a mere formality.

Mr. Fagbenle, on the other hand, argued that unless there is provision ousting the jurisdiction of the court, the court has jurisdiction to determine a matter. He further argued that since there is no express provision barring the court from accepting the relief as filed, then the court can invoke Rule 7 of the Rules of the Supreme Court. Fagbenle then submitted that the defence can come before the court with a counterclaim without filing a writ of summons and the court can look at both the plaintiffs’ claim as well as the relief of the defendant.

Mr. Fagbenle further opined that part 4 of the Rules of the Supreme Court, counting Rules 45-53 is geared towards the determination of issues based on merits.

In his reply Mr. Darboe submitted that the defendants cannot talk about substantial justice when the matter is not properly before the court. Mr. Darboe urged the court to dismiss paragraph 21 of the statement of defence, while Fagbenle urged the court to overrule Darboe’s objection.

The judges later stood down the matter for some minutes in order to rule on the preliminary objection made by Darboe. After some time, the judges who were in their chamber resurfaced and informed the court that they have unanimously decided to incorporate their ruling on the final determination of the substantive suit. The judges later asked Mr. Darboe to file a statement of defence or reply to paragraph 21 of the defence’s statement of defence.



Proceedings of 5th July

When proceedings resumed on Tuesday, Ousainou N.M. Darboe announced that he is appearing for the Plaintiffs together with Borry Touray, Mariam Denton and Neneh Cham.  The counsel informed the court that his clients are of the view that the National Assembly Clerk acted in a manner that is inconsistent with the Constitution.  He noted that the 1997 Constitution has a provision that brings separation of powers between the three arms of government.  He noted that the separation of powers between the three arms of government is outlined in the preamble of the 1997 Constitution.

Mr. Darboe said the Clerk of the National Assembly is part of the National Assembly. He said the first and third defendants have contended at paragraph 12 of their defence that the National Assembly through its acting clerk informed the IEC that the seats of the plaintiffs are vacant.  Going further, Mr. Darboe argued that the letter written by the clerk does not in any way make reference to directives by the National Assembly.  He noted that the decision contained in the letter is not the decision of the National Assembly but a decision taken by the clerk.

According to Mr. Darboe, even if the National Assembly was the authority that instructed the clerk to write the letter to the IEC, then it would mean the National Assembly acted in a manner that is not in line with the Constitution, noting that the functions of the National Assembly is to legislate laws for the country.

Darboe at this stage cited Section 120 Subsection (2) of the Constitution deals which deals with judicial power.  He said Section 127 of the Constitution confers original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court whilst Section 128 confers appellate jurisdiction to the same court.

Going further, Mr. Darboe argued that the exercise of power under Section 128 of the Constitution is the exercise of judicial power.  He said the determination of whether a seat has become vacant in the National Assembly is reserved for the Supreme Court under Section 127 Subsection (1) Paragraph (2c) of the 1997 Constitution.  At this juncture, Mr. Darboe produced the letter written by the clerk and read it.

He remarked “whoever that does this action whether it is the Clerk or the National Assembly, has arrogated himself and that is not their function.”

Mr. Darboe cited a case in a bid to show that one arm of government cannot encroach into the purview of another arm of government. He noted that the said case is reported in the Supreme Court of Ghana, Law report 2000.  In his argument Mr. Darboe noted that where there is no controversy over the seat of a National Assembly Member, the clerk can write to the IEC to inform it of a vacancy, but in a situation where there is a controversy, it is the Supreme Court that has the power to decide.  Continuing his argument, the learned counsel said if the Supreme Court were to accede to the reliefs sought  by the first and third defendants, then it means the Supreme Court will be surrendering its jurisdictional function to the first and third defendants, and that will open room for the executive to interpret the laws for themselves and do whatever they wish.

Mr. Darboe said it is the view of the opposition alliance that NADD is not a political party.  Mr. Darboe said the document brought to court by the defendants have not created NADD.  According to Darboe, the documents brought to court by the first defendants emanated from the office of the second defendant (the IEC) and cannot be used to whipple down the Memorandum of Understanding of NADD.

“What we created was an Alliance of political parties and not a new political party.  That is what is contained in the Memorandum of Understanding,” Darboe argued.

Mr. Darboe said if NADD is a political party, then there won’t be delegates from the member parties to select the flag bearer of NADD.  He further noted that the Constitution of NADD states that all political parties will be represented in the executive of NADD.  Mr. Darboe further argued that the Memorandum of Understanding and the Constitution of NADD is what was used to register the latter.

Mr. Darboe said Section 107opf the Elections Decree makes it a requirement for political parties to submit a manifesto to the Independent Electoral Commission, but NADD did not submit a manifesto to the IEC.

Mr. Darboe said the Constitution of the National Reconciliation Party opens membership to Gambians but prohibits a member of a rival party from joining the NRP.  According to Mr. Darboe, it is political parties with the same objectives that came together to form an alliance in order to bolster their support base and revenue.  He noted that the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General still acknowledge that the plaintiffs are members of their various political parties.  He noted that the first and third defendants have not produced any evidence to show that the plaintiffs have resigned from their political parties, adding that there is no evidence to show that the plaintiffs have been expelled from their parties.

“It is a blanket statement to say that they have ceased to be members of their parties.  There is no evidence to show that any of these parties have deregistered”, he said.

Mr. Darboe noted that it is the IEC that is in a better position to say whether any of the parties has passed a resolution dissolving itself.  At this juncture Mr. Darboe cited series of authorities to support his argument.  The learned counsel further posited that the plaintiffs party’s constitutions does not bar them from being members of an alliance, and that their membership of an alliance does not affect their functions as National Assembly Members.  He noted that the name of the fourth plaintiff, Kemeseng Jammeh does not appear in any document.  “However, there is no doubt that he is member of a party that is in alliance with other parties.  On the totality of the materials before your lordship, I urge you to grant the reliefs sought.  The second defendant has agreed that the plaintiffs have not vacated their seats.  Second defendant also stated that the letter of the Clerk is invalid and in effective,” he remarked.

The Counsel for the IEC, Sydney Riley in his turn said the Clerk has not got the authority to declare the seats of the plaintiffs vacant.  He said the Clerk has not cited any authority that declares the seats of the plaintiffs vacant.  He noted that there is no evidence before the court to show that the plaintiffs have resigned from their various parties nor is there any evidence to show that they have been expelled by their parties.  He said the plaintiffs have registered a political party.  He further said it is the Supreme Court that can interpret Section 91 (d) of the Constitution, noting that the Supreme Court is yet to make a declaration on Section 91 (d).  He noted that the letter of the first defendant cannot be valid.  He said it is the duty of the IEC to conduct by-elections but that is provided a proper pronouncement has been made.  Mr. Riley told the court that NADD complied with the law.  He said the constituent members of NADD still remain in a party recognized by the
 IEC.

“They are subsumed in an umbrella party.  What the second defendant has done is to register a political party of parties.  The constituent member in such a situation cannot contest elections side by side with NADD.  The second defendant in line with Section 108 of the Elections Decree has not deregistered the political constituent of NADD.  It therefore means that the plaintiffs have not lost their seats.  If a constituent member decide to withdraw its membership of NADD, nothing stops it from reactivating itself.  The second defendant registered NADD as a political party”, he said.

Emmanuel Fagbenle, counsel for the Attorney General and the Clerk of the National Assembly said the contention of his clients is that the issue before the court is narrowed down.  He said one such issue is whether NADD is a registered political party, noting the only person who can authoritatively inform the honourable court is the IEC who is empowered in law to register political parties.  Fagbenle posited that paragraph 4 and 5 of the second defendants’ case clearly admit that the plaintiffs never explore the possibilities of registering an alliance as opposed to a political party.

“After the second defendant was satisfied, it went and registered NADD as a political party,” he posited.  Mr. Fagbenle further noted Section 105 of the Elections Decree places responsibility on the second defendant to register political parties.  He cited Section 60 and Section 43 (1) (A) and (E) of the Constitution to support his argument.  He also cited Section 104 of the Election Decree.

“It is my humble submission that the attempt to register NADD was a demonstration of what the Election Decree requires,” he noted.

He referred to the first and third defendant’s state of case.  He said the application supplied to NADD was well understood by those who requested it and that they paid for the registration of a political party.  He said a letter confirming the registration of NADD as a political party was issued by the IEC, noting that a Press Release was issued by the IEC for the registration of a political party.  He said NADD has contested in two by-elections, one of which they have won.  He said going by the plaintiffs assertions; they have asserted that Kemeseng Jammeh is a member of NADD, noting that there is no express denial that Kemeseng Jammeh is not a member of NADD.

He said there is nothing authorising the merger of the various political parties.

“The seats of the plaintiffs have become vacant in the circumstances of the case.  The plaintiffs affirmed that they were elected into the National Assembly on the political tickets of PDOIS, NRP and UDP.  It is for the court to determine whether the plaintiffs can belong to two political parties.  The documents before this court shows the activities of NADD in which the plaintiffs have participated in,” he remarked.

TO BE CONTINUE



Hon. Halifa Sallah on the Flooded Compounds



By Sarjo M Camara

The Minority leader and National Assembly Member for Serrekunda Central Constituency, seen in the rain visiting flooded homes in his constituency after a heavy rainfall on Sunday.  In a subsequent interview I had with him he said

“The complainants live at Papa Sarr Street.  They came to me on Monday morning to lay their complaints about their over flooded compounds. Halifa Sallah said there were two compounds which were seriously affected, “I went to see the compounds for myself on that very day,” he pointed out.

The people who stayed in those compounds were not comfortable at all, because all their mattresses, carpets and other households were soaked. He commended the communities in that area for giving self less assistance to the victims by using buckets, containers throw out water in the compounds.

He said the flooding of compounds is attributed to a GAMWORKS road project. He said apparently some of the compounds are at a lower level than the road, and there was no adequate drainage system; it was therefore difficult for the water to run effectively. He mentioned that after he visited the scene, he contacted the Department of State for Works and Construction to come and see what was going on and they eventually made recommendations.

He pointed out that the compound owners have been informed, since the occupants of the compounds are their on tenants.



EROSION IN REHABILITATED COASTAL AREA

The National Assembly Member for Banjul South, Hon. Alex S. Carvalo, raised the following question regarding coastal erosion at the National Assembly, during question and answers. “Mr. Speaker, the coastal area rehabilitated few years ago is eroding once again. Would the Secretary of State for Environment tell this August Assembly what move his Department is making to remedy the situation?” In response, SoS Edward Singhateh said that his Department of State is aware of the fact that certain parts of the coastal area rehabilitated a few years ago have started eroding again. He said he would like to indicate that coastal erosion is a natural phenomenon and it is indeed a global problem and Gambia is no exception to this. “Therefore”, he said “this is not much of a surprise. However, to address the issue, my department of state has set up an inter ministerial committee to develop appropriate responses to address the problem at the affected sites. Among the immediate actions to be
 taken”, he went on, is the mobilization of earth moving machinery and equipment in readiness for the arrival of one of the consultants from Haskoning in July, to help guide the mitigation process.”



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