Jammeh Lashes At Opposition



Daily Observer (Banjul)

October 18, 2000

Kalifa Sanyang on tour
Banjul

President Yahya Jammeh has described as undue and irresponsible, opposition
demands for him to disclose the source of the 39 tractors he gave out to farmers
in the country at the start of the rainy season.

Speaking at meeting in Sika, Upper Niumi, Monday, on the first day of his annual
'Meet The Peopleıs Tour', President Jammeh described the oppositionıs demands
as, "a portrayal of their disregard for the advancement of farmers.

I gave the tractors freely and never sold or lent them out."

President Jammeh said the delay in the purchase of seednuts after the last
harvest was basically the result of "a deliberate misrepresentation by a former
government official who was assigned to create the basis for proper groundnut
marketability. It turned out he intended to discredit the government for
political reasons."

He said the government had to step in at the eleventh hour "because some private
firms wanted farmers to sell the nuts to them at give-away prices."

The president said the price for groundnuts in the next season will come as "a
pleasant surprise" to farmers but said it was premature to disclose it.

"My government will always defend the interest of farmers and no dishonest group
should make you believe otherwise," he said.

Talking on the same issue earlier, the APRC chief mobiliser, Yankuba Touray,
said the millions of dalasis government spent on buying groundnuts was a pointer
to governmentıs interest in Gambian farmers.

He said the APRC has succeeded in increasing the price of groundnuts.

The National Assembly member for Upper Niumi, Ousman Jallow, and the district
chief, Lamin Jammeh, thanked President Jammeh for his commitment to the overall
development of the North Bank Division and spoke of their high level of support
for the president in Upper Niumi.

Tako Taal, the female alkalo of Juffureh, called for the provision of a high
school, health centre, telephone facilities cattle watering points, and a better
road for the Buniadu-Jokadu stretch.

In response to the pleas of the people, President Jammeh said the request will
be considered but that the people of Upper Niumi should consider him.

"Otherwise, I will concentrate more on those who voted me into power," he said.

A similar meeting was held at Kerr Jarga, Jokadu. President Jammeh donated
D10,000 to the villagers of Kerr Jarga for the completion of a mosque under
construction.

The tour continued yesterday with meetings in Kaur, and Panchang with a night
stop at Janjangbureh.

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