The following is from Burning Issues (FOROYAA Publication) Friday, 16 February
2001
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Dembo Bojang Takes On Secretary Of State For Agriculture

The government of Italy gave 28, 130,fifty kilogramme bags of rice to the
Gambia. Mr. Dembo Bojang asked the Secretary of State for Agriculture
whether the rice was distributed to the public or put on sale.

The Secretary of State indicated that the rice was put on sale "through
tender to the highest bidder." According to the Secretary the highest bidder
offered D175 per bag  amounting  to D4, 922, 750. The   proceeds of the
monetization are used to finance projects aimed at agricultural development
as mutually agreed between the Government of The Gambia and Italy
When asked in a supplementary question whether the whole sum has been paid
for, the Secretary of State indicated that a sum is still outstanding.
One would have thought that the highest bidder would immediately pay cash
and not engage in another form of credit buying,
FOROYAA will do further investigation.

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