Issue No. 65/2004, 16-18 August, 2004 EDITORIAL WHY ATTACK JOURNALISTS? On Sunday the 15th of August 2004 the home of Mr. Ebrima Sillah was attacked and his valuable properties destroyed. There is claim that letters have been addressed to Mr. Sillah and Mr. Jawo the Chairman of the Press Union to threaten journalists. A review of Mr. Sillah’s report over the BBC reveals that his last report was on the threatening Locust Invasion. This is clearly in the National interest. Even though the members of the prospective Alliance/Coalition held a press conference the external radio stations have not given the content full coverage. Infact, the Gambian Media has been preoccupied by the court cases regarding the Youth Development Enterprise and the current commission of enquiry. The results of the auditing exercise at the Central Bank is yet to fully reach the media practitioners. What then are the threats geared to achieve. Who is responsible for these threats? Would someone bent on creating chaos to destabilize the regime go to the extent of harming those who are scrutinizing the regime by destroying their properties and causing them bodily harm? This would be hard to believe. On the other hand, would anyone interested in protecting the regime attack journalists to try to silence them. Clearly such activities raise doubts regarding the stability of the country and does undermine the integrity of a state. In either case, it is a no aim situation for the terrorists. The terrorists should therefore rethink their strategy. Nobody can now blame Baba Jobe. No terrorist action is taking place because of what the press has said about him. If the contents of the letter sent to the Chairperson of the press union is to go by the culprits are claiming to have sympathy for the President. This imposes a burden on the state to capture and dissociate itself from the campaign of terror against media houses and practitioners. In the mean time, those who are bent on terrorizing their citizens to silence and submission should know that that era has passed. This is the era for open debate on national issues and not for some to be first class and others second class citizens depending on which side of the state they stand. They are not scaring anyone, they are simply tarnishing the image of what they represent; if they are even discovered their families will live in internal shame and regret. FOROYAA will try to get documentaries of the truth and reconciliation commissions elsewhere to show it at home for general information. This may help the unthinking mind to become rational and the brave hearted to become just. ARSONISTS ATTACK AGAIN By Surahata Danso On Sunday the 15th day of august 2004, there was yet another mysterious attack on the home of a Gambian born BBC reporter Ebrima Sillah at Jamburr, Kombo South, between the hours of 2.30am- 3am. According to Ebrima Sillah some assailants removed the wire gauze on one of the windows of the sitting room. They also removed the louvers glass of the window poured fuel into the sitting room and lit it. Mr. Sillah further added that he was asleep in his bedroom. When the fire started the smoke and the heat woke him up. He indicated further that he jumped through the window to the backyard and then into the main yard. He reported that the assailants ran out of the compound through the gate. Saw the assailants came with a transport, which they packed, on the way to Latri-ya. Upon further questioning, Ebrima Sillah said he has no suspects in mind but he could remember that sometime ago unknown Gambians wrote a letter to the BBC. The letter urged the BBC to warned Ebrima Sillah to change how he reports on the Gambia or be taught a lesion. Mr. Sillah also added that this particular letter was taken to the IGP. Recently a similar letter was written to Demba Jawo the President of GPU in which Jawo was told that very soon his fellow journalists would have their lessons. Among the articles burnt were his furniture, Laptop, Video, Television set, Video Cassettes, Audio Cassettes, Journalism and other household belongings. Mr. Sillah finally said that he believes that the actors are cowards since they only act in darkness and run away. Halifa On The Attack Against Ebrima Sillah FOROYAA interviewed Halifa Sallah on the attempt to burn down Ebrima Sillah’s home. He was asked how he sees the incident, especially when one considers the case of Radio 1 FM, The Independent and now Ebrima Sillah’s house. Halifa: The pattern is clear. It is gas oil and fire. These have been the weapons of the terrorists. The letters they have sent are instructive. We should however, bear in mind that the letters can give leads but sometimes they are sent to mislead. All letters must be studied and taken for their worth. FOROYAA: How is this problem to be handled? Halifa: Democracy is about convincing people. Fascism is about coercing people. Those who have open minds to be convinced are democratic minded people. Those who submit to coercion submit to fascism. The question before every Gambian is whether to submit to fascism because of fear or defy fascism and live in an open society. My view is that those who abandon their principles because of the threat of death were not committed to them in the first place. Gambians should never allow a few persons who hide in the dark to hit and run to be seen to be so powerful as to suppress the vast majority to silence. Injustice becomes strong only if the just bows down to its dictates. Media practitioners should give each other solidarity. An alternative government should promise to mop up such pockets of terrorism and make every Gambian a patriot who loves his or her country and people and hates to subject them to terrorism even if they differ with them. In short, if such practices continue without the state stepping in it should be clear that the regime is incapable of safeguarding the national security of some sectors of its population. Such a regime is unfit to govern. FOROYAA: What advice do you wish to give? Halifa: We should acknowledge the threat but should not become alarmists. Terrorists want people to be in a state of alarm. People who hide around corners for fear of being hit. No person is immune to death. No one should ask for it. We should just live our normal lives and leave the terrorists to hide in the dark and live their abnormal lives. Our lives have a future. They have no future. The era of fright is no more. This is the era of empowerment of the people. Few individuals can never dominate an enlightened and organized people. I hope young people will text this slogan to each other, that is, a few tyrants cannot dominate and intimidate an organized people.” Teachers Complain Some teachers who visited our office have complained of the refusal of the Department of State for Education to pay them double shift allowance for the month of July 2004. They said that during President Jammeh’s Meet the People Tour this year, parents appealed for schools to be closed earlier so that children can help their parents on their farms. Schools were initially scheduled to close on 21st July. However, schools in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6 were subsequently asked to close on 30th June. According to the teachers who came to our office, three-quarters of schools in these regions were unable to respond positively simply because teachers and pupils have to get prepared for final examination, which determines promotion. They said that most of the teachers were in their school conducting examinations, marking papers, entering report forms and so on up till the 14th July. They pointed out that they were not informed that their July allowance would be paid until they went for their pay for the month of July, which they considered unjustified. They also opined that this is no encouragement to teachers who are far away, particularly teachers in Regions 5 and 6. They said they were disappointed with the Gambia Teachers Union for its inaction on the matter. When FOROYAA got in touch with the President of the Union he explained that they have been inactive in pursuing the matter because the teachers do not have a case. He further explained that the allowance was for double shifts, which they were asked to stop after 30th June. Since there were no double shifts in July there could be no allowance, he argued. When this was put to the teachers they pointed out that as it was impractical to combine the two shifts and remain effective, they in fact continued with the double shifts. They argued that combining two shifts is ineffective because it leads to overcrowding since would mean bringing 90 pupils together in one classroom. They further argue that it is ineffective because it would mean combining two levels, such as Grades 5 and 6. The called on the education authorities to reconsider their position and pay them. At the time of going to press, attempts to reach the permanent secretary were unsuccessful. Further attempts will be made to get the views of the department. The Paul Commission By Abdoulie G. Dibba and Abdou F.B. Boye SITTING OF WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST 2004 Momodou Nai Ceesay Testifying before the Paul Commission on Wednesday, Momodou Nai Ceesay indicated that between 1994 to May 1995, he was working with the Immigration Department as Director of Immigration. He pointed out that from May 1995 to October 1995 he served the Gambia as consul General in Hong Kong and that from October 1995 to May 2000 he was deployed to Immigration as Director General. He indicated that from May 2000 to January 2002 he served as Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands. He pointed out that from January 2002 to date, he has held no official position. He acknowledged receiving an assets declaration form, which he filled and returned to the commission. Mr. Ceesay indicated that as Director of Immigration, he was receiving between D3,000 to D4,000 per month and that as Consul General, he was receiving D13,000, taking into account the exchange rate of the dollar at that time. He indicated that there was not much difference in salary when he came to the Immigration Department for the second time because he was absent for only 5 months; so the salary was between D3,000 to D4,000. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that his emoluments as Secretary of State are as follows: Year 2000, his total emolument was D85,000; and that in 2001, it was D104,869.84 and in 2002, D22,32.07 since he served for only one month in 2002. Continuing his testimony, Mr. Ceesay indicated that during his time as Director of Immigration or as Secretary of State, he had no other source of income apart from his emoluments and the income generated from the rent of his Kotu East property. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he generated D60,000 from his Kotu East property between 1996 to 1998. He pointed out that in 1995, he cultivated peanuts and harvested 6 tonnes, which he sold to GGC and earned D17,000. He indicated that the person renting his property was a British national who left in 1998 and therefore from 1998 to 1999, he received no additional income other than his official emolument and this continued from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he does not receive any cash gift from anyone, whether inside or outside the Gambia, during the period under review. He said he does not engage any person to do business for him and that he does not receive any dividend from any company, whether within or outside the Gambia, during the period under review. Mr. Ceesay indicated that as Director of Immigration, he bought a Treasury Bill worth D5,000 for his children and again as Secretary of State he bought the same amount for his children. He pointed out that his wife was working as Secretary at the Department of State for Health and she managed her salary on her own. He said the salary of his wife does not come to him. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he travelled outside the Gambia several times as Director of Immigration and also as Secretary of State for local government and lands. He said he received per diem during these trips and that he made some savings from some of those per diems. He however pointed out that those savings were never done at the bank; that instead, he spent them. He pointed out that he has got his travel per diem with him as Secretary of State. In case they (the commission) need his travel per diem as Director of Immigration, he can as well fish them out. He was given 10 days to furnish the commission with all his travel per diem as Secretary of State as well as Director of Immigration. In responding to a question from the chairperson of the commission, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that the maximum number of days spent during those trips was 14 days and the minimum was 4 days. Continuing his testimony further, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that when he left the immigration department and was appointed as Secretary of State, he was paid all his entitlement from government, which amounted to D108,022.33 and that when he assumed office as SoS, he took a loan of D70,000 from Trust Bank. Mr. Ceesay further said, in 2001 “I took another loan from the same bank amounting D180,000 which am still servicing.” Mr. Nai Ceesay went further in his testimony to indicate that the pension paid to him as from 31st May 2000 to date amounted to D45,000. Mr. Ceesay further testified that during this period his only bank was and is still Trust Bank. He pointed out that he has no foreign account and questioned the rationality of having a foreign account while in the Gambia. The chairman told Mr. Ceesay that some Gambians have offshore accounts. Mr. Ceesay indicated that for him, he would not do that. He pointed out that he has a current and savings account with Trust Bank. At this stage, Mr. Nai Ceesay was asked by the commission to submit his statement of accounts from July 1994 to 31st December 1998 because the one submitted was from January 1999 to date. Mr. Ceesay indicated that his understanding was that the period under review was the period he served as Secretary of State and that’s why he brought the statement of account for that period. He however promised to furnish the commission with it. Continuing his testimony, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that while in Hong Kong as Consul General, he was not doing anything which could generate income but that he was not spending his emolument while there. He said he came with about $18, 000 which he did not put in a bank but spent on charity and family upkeep. At this stage, he was given a piece of paper to write the schools his children are attending and fees paid per term. Continuing from there, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he applied for land allocation at Kotu East layout. He indicated that being conscious of the principle of “one Gambian one plot”, he did not apply again and that he was never allocated any plot of land apart from the one at Kotu East. He indicated that he did not apply for land allocation as Director of Immigration, because according to him there were other Gambians who needed land. He pointed out that neither his wife nor his children were allocated land. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he has only one official plot and the other plot that he has is in Sinchu Baliya, which was bought from the Alkalo in 1989 and leased in 2000. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he returned to the Gambia in 1984 after staying in US for 13 years with a cash amount of US$15,000. Mr. Ceesay indicated that within 10 months upon his returned, he was enrolled in the Gambia Police Force as a Cadet Officer grade 14. He pointed out that in 1990, he secured a government loan amounting to D60,000, part of which he used to buy a Renault car. He indicated that he completed the construction of his Kotu East Plot in 1994 and got a tenant in it in 1996. He indicated that as he said earlier, the tenant was a British national who left the house in 1998 and no other tenant occupied the house. He said the house is a three bedroom Bungalow with a boys’ quarters and a kitchen. He indicated that he moved to his Kotu East property in 2000 when he was appointed Secretary of State. He pointed out that government wanted to give him a place and he said it was proper to move to his own place so that tomorrow if he is removed from office, there will be nothing like evacuating one’s residence. On his Sinchu Baliya property, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he is using that property for poultry activities. He indicated that he did the fencing in1991 or 1992 and also built a wire house, which cost him about D15,000 in those days when things were not expensive as they are today. Going back to his Kotu East Property, Mr. Ceesay indicated that the only work he did when he was about to move to this place, was painting. He indicated that he bought furniture and two freezers, which cost about D5,700. He was asked by the commission to produce the receipts. He however pointed that as for the furniture, these local carpenters do not have receipts but for the freezers he will go to the seller to get the receipts. On his poultry farm, Mr. Ceesay said that he got his birds from Senegal and that his first consignment arrived when he left office as Secretary of State which cost him D20,000. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that in 2002 he sold 1,000 birds at D80 per bird, which amounted to D80,000 and then bought 650 birds, which laid eggs at a price of D24 per bird. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he bought his feed from a local dealer at D450 per bag. He indicated that he got a second hand generator in his poultry farm, which he was using in his house but added that he has no tractor in the farm because the farm is a small farm. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he and his brother-in-law contributed D70,000 to construct a warehouse at Jeshwang in the compound of the Bah family. He indicated that no lease agreement was prepared between him and the Bah family because, according to him even if he died and the Bah family takes the property he will be more than happy because he knows what the late Bah did for him as a junior officer under him. He indicated that the warehouse was built to give support to the Bah family. He indicated that when the construction was completed, there was no activity in the warehouse but that few months ago, it was rented to somebody. He indicated that out of the rent fee, D20,000 goes to the Bah family and D35,000 to him and his brother-in-law. He pointed out that his brother-in- law asked him to use the D35,000 since he was not working now. He indicated that there is receipt to indicate that the Bah family has received the D20,000 but that if the commission calls them, they will confirm receipt of the money. Ceesay indicated that the car in his declaration was bought at a price of D57,000. He paid D18,700 as customs duty. He also indicated that he bought a Mercedes Benz 300 in 1999 and sold it in 2001. He promised to supply the commission with the receipt and transfer of ownership. He pointed out that he bought no car for his wife or children. He indicated that the total income from the poultry farm is D100,000 and out of this, D45,000 goes for overhead expenses, D15,000 to his brother and D40,000 to him. Mr. Ceesay indicated that Maraka Enterprise was incorporated in 2003 to take charge of the marketing of the poultry farm produce and to import feed for the birds but because of his liability at the Bank, Maraka cannot kick off. Continuing his testimony further, Mr. Ceesay indicated that apart from the loan indicated on page 8, he has not taken any other loan from an individual or institution. He pointed that during the period under review, he was not responsible for the education or maintenance of any person outside the Gambia. Mr. Ceesay indicated that the term of reference of the land allocation board is to review all the applications for land allocation sent to the lands department, vet them and make decision. Whatever they decided, would be forwarded to the technical department, then to the Permanent Secretary and finally to the Secretary of State for approval or otherwise. Mr. Ceesay agreed that he had the final say but had no responsibility to instruct any official. He agreed that he had created three layouts and they are Bijilo, Tanji and Brufut. He also agreed that these layouts are the most problematic ones, which required security investigation. He pointed out that he had overruled the decision of the board about three to four times and that the reasons were: (a) if a particular sector is ill taken care of or (b) if the application or extension is unreasonable and unjustifiable. He agreed that re-entry was done during his tenure but that he does not initiate them. He agreed no allocation or re-entry could be done without his knowledge. He indicated that before any re-entry, the Director of Lands will survey the plot and again Dodou Bojang will check and find out for him whether what is reported is what is on the ground. He pointed out categorically that neither his friends nor his relations were beneficiaries of any re-allocation or re-entry and that the records of all the beneficiaries are supposed to be at the land’s office. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that the entire requests he received, whether official or private, were referred to the board. He indicated that during his tenure in office, he had not converted green places for residential purposes. He indicated that he had never overruled an application for land allocation by non-Gambians. He said if at all a non- Gambian is allocated a plot, the blame should go to the board and lands department. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he will not be surprised if they show him forms which contain Jallows and Jallows, because he wouldn’t know if these Jallows were all related. He said there are some individuals who want everything for their families and whether you satisfy them or not, they will always complain. He indicated that the three layouts were to be allocated free and that nobody gave him money for allocation. He pointed out that nobody acted as agent for him on such. He indicated that during his tenure of office no one has queried him for an allocation of a plot to a non-Gambian. He pointed out that layouts are first demarcated by physical planning and then submitted to cabinet for approval. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he has not noticed any plot that was big size during his cause of approval. He said he would know if the number of plots in a layout is reduced or increased. He indicated that during his period in office, no commercial plot was converted into a residential plot or vice versa. He also pointed out that during his tenure of office, plots were not allocated to beneficiaries who do not apply. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that institutions only sent him tellers indicating the number of applicants from their side. He indicated that he has never instructed the allocating officers what to do and has never indicated name on the allocation lists. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that one Mustapha Jobe came to him for allocation of plots to his family, which was denied. He (Mustapha) then told him that he (Ceesay) will see what he will do to him and then started to work with some tycoons to get him out of office but then Ceesay said that thank God that everything is now clear and Gambians know who is who. Mr. Ceesay indicated that when Dodou Jobe was allocated a plot in Bijilo, he (Mustapha) wanted to use him and alleged that the plot was sold to him by he Mr Ceesay but that when Dodou Jobe was called by the NIA, he vehemently denied buying the plot. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he knew Dodou Jobe as a Businessman but cannot tell how many plots he has. He however pointed out that during his tenure of office, Dodou Jobe was allocated one plot at Bijilo. He said he does not know if his wife has a plot. He indicated that Dodou is not holding any property for him whether developed or otherwise. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he has no authority to allocate land in Banjulinding but that in Yundum they allocated TAF Holding and Bilal Quranic Boarding School. He said he has no property in Yundum and that he has no brother who is serving the Gambia Police Force now. He said his brother who was serving in the Police Force has passed away and that he has not help their children to acquire lands. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he has no property in Fajara and Busumbala. He indicated that the property in Bundung couldn’t be called his family property because he has no inheritance right in that property. Mr. Ceesay said he passes by Brufut every three days as he goes to Tanji to buy fish to be used as feeds for his birds. As to what he would say if somebody said he saw him at the seaside throwing something? Mr. Ceesay retorted, “throwing what? Juju or what? You call that person to tell you what he saw me throwing”. He indicated that when he goes to Tanji, he only stops at where fish is sold. He indicated that he has no property in Brufut. Mr. Ceesay said the only query he received was that of TAF Holding. He said he does not know why officials at the department of state for lands were sacked. Testifying further, Mr. Ceesay said he has never had a problem with the processing of passports as Director of Immigration. Concluding his testimony. Mr. Momodou Nai Ceesay indicated that he never gave instructions to his subordinates to do anything; he never wrote to them to take care of some institutions that are not proper to take care off during the allocation process. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he has never heard people saying that some people were selling plots that were meant for free allocation. He indicated that none of his friends or relatives was allocated plots during his tenure of office personally and that even if they are allocated, it must be by merit. SITTING OF THURSDAY, 12 AUGUST 2004 Joseph Henry Joof As the Paul Commission continues sitting at the Trade and Employment Department on Thursday 12th August 2004, the former Secretary of State for Justice, Attorney General and National Assembly Matters, Mr. Joseph Henry Joof testified before the commission. He admitted receiving a declaration of Assets form, which was filled and returned. Mr. Joof said he was appointed Secretary of state on the 30th January 2001. He stated that he resigned on the 19th September 2003. Mr. Joof then tendered his appointment and resignation letters to the commission. When asked whether he has the copy of his emoluments as SoS, he replied in the negative. Mr. Joof further said that before his appointment as Secretary of State, he served as a private legal practitioner for fifteen (15) years. He also said that in 1986 when he returned from his studies in the U.K he served as state council for nine (9) months. Mr. Joof said he does not have any other source of income, except his travel per diem. He said as SoS he received $150 per day as per diem. He also revealed that he travelled eleven times when he was SoS. He further said that he had written to the solicitor general requesting for his per diem. The commission then gave him ten days to bring his per diem receipts. Asked whether he made savings from his trips, he replied in the positive, adding that he sometimes saved $100, but sometimes he had to use his own money to have a reasonable hotel. Asked about his highest savings from his trips he said nothing more than $400. Mr. Joof also said that apart from his sales dividend (shareholder) from his company (Trust Bank) of about D10,000.00 or D20,000.00 when he was SoS, he does not have any other source of income. He said as shareholder he used to receive loans, which he can endorse to someone if he wishes. He denied having any business or company outside the Gambia. He said he started acquiring shares since 1998. He admitted attending one of the shareholders’ meeting and the reason was, he was there as lawyer and at the same time a member; that this was before his appointment. He said in February 2004, after his term in office, he took a loan from the First International Bank (FIB). He said his wife is a higher scientific officer at the MRC, adding that he does not have any joint account with his wife. He noted that when he was SoS he didn’t receive any gift from anybody in or outside the Gambia; that neither him nor his wife or close associate has any business on his behalf. He said his wife does not have loan facilities. Mr. Joof went on to say that his wife does her own thing and he respects her for that. He also said as husband and wife they help each other. He further admitted buying something for his wife whenever he travelled and said that was not more than $50-$100 is spent in these instances. Mr. Joof told the commission that all his children are going to Marina International School. He was then given paper to write the names of his children, schools and fees paid per term, which he did. He denied being responsible of anybody’s school fees outside the Gambia. Mr. Joof said he banks with all the commercial banks in the Gambia. He said it is only in FIB and Guaranty Trust Bank where he has opened accounts during his term in office as SoS. It is only in Trust Bank where he has a savings account. He denied having any overseas account, noting that none of his children has an account. He further said that in 2002 he applied for a plot of land and was allocated one on the 31st October 2002. He said the property is fenced, the foundation had been laid and he plans to make it a self-contained bungalow. He said he spent D20,000 - D30,000 on the fence and nothing more than D30,000-D40,000 was also spent on the foundation. He said he also paid D100 or D200 for the purchase of the form from the lands office, which was processed based on the general allocation of land. He informed the commission that on 6th September 1991 he bought a compound in Kololi and gave it to his wife and children and that there are 3-4 bedrooms in that house. He said it was developed in 1995 or 96. He said he did not contribute any finance to that property, when he was SoS. He denied purchasing any property during his term in office, pointing out that all his properties were bought before his appointment. He said the one in Kotu where he lives was bought on the 8th September 1991 and he transferred there on the 29th June 1997 with his children at a time when his wife had travelled. He added that as a SoS he did not make any improvement on the house. Mr. Joof said he bought plots of land in Tanji, Sanyang and Banjulinding which he said cost D25, 000, D35,000 and D21,000 respectively. He said the Bijilo, Tanji and Sanyang plots were fenced in 2001-2002. He said between January 2001- December 2003 he did not purchase and was not allocated a plot of land as SoS, except the Kololi one. He denied handling another position in the government services before his appointment. Mr. Joof disclosed to the commission that he has two private cars, a Daewoo Vagansa and BW Bora for his wife and children, which he said was bought in December 1998 and 1999 respectively. He also denied receiving any query and does not remember hearing any query from his staff. Mr. Joof said he did not receive any gift from anybody for rendering services as SoS to that person. Mr. Joof said when he was in office he once led an investigating committee on the illegal allocation of land in the Tanji, Brufut and Kololi area. And that at the end of their investigation they submitted a report to the President whom he said set up that committee. He also said during their deliberation they spoke to people face to face. Mr. Emmanuel Fagbenle asked him whether it was true that the investigation affected the three allocations, entry and re entry layouts. He answered in the positive. He insisted that if the allegation that freely allocated land was eventually sold it would be in the report. Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe “I DON’T REGRET SERVING MY COUNTRY” Sedat Jobe tells commission The second witness to testify on Thursday was the former Secretary of state for foreign Affairs, Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe. Dr. Jobe acknowledged receiving a declaration of assets form, which he filled and returned. Dr. Jobe said he was appointed Ambassador between the 7th July 1995 to 1996 to the U.S.A, U.K, France and Morocco. He said between 15th July 1996 - 3rd October 1996 he was appointed Chairman, Commission for establishing the University of the Gambia. He said between 18th February 1998 - 28th August 2001 he was the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs. He further stated that during his term in office he did not hold any public service position. He also said that on the 30th September 1995, he requested for his early retirement from UNESCO’s Secretary General, where he was working before serving his country. He said had he not been given leave without salary from them (UNESCO) he would have retired on the 24th July 2004. He said before he was SoS his children were going to school and UNESCO was responsible for their (children’s) school fees until 30th September 1995, when he started serving the government of the Gambia. He then started paying their school fees. He was given paper to list his children’s names, schools, and fees per term, which he did. Dr. Jobe tendered his letter of appointment date 2nd March 1998 to the commission. He said his monthly salary as SoS was D12,000 but out of it D2,000 was going towards building construction, which lasted two years. He also said that he started receiving his early retirement benefits on the 30th September 1999. He denied receiving any money from anybody as a source of income. Dr. Jobe further said he does not have any fixed deposit account nor treasury bills, but his UNESCO staff helped him when he was he facing some financial difficulties. He said he used the amount between January 1998 and December 2002 to help his family and others. He said the support he receives from his UNESCO friends is almost the same as what he would have had when he was in UNESCO. Dr. Jobe further said he was paid $10,000 at UNESCO. He said he would have been materially rich if he stayed at (UNESCO). Mr. Jobe said he banks with a bank called B and B in France, BICI in Senegal, IBC in the Gambia and was also banking with the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), but stopped banking with them when he left office. He denied taking a loan from SCB and IBC when he was SoS. But that when he left office he took a loan from IBC, because his daughter was sitting to her examination. Dr. Jobe revealed that he had a property in Dakar (Senegal) from a mortgaged loan. He also admitted having savings when he returned from his official trips and used it to develop his five-hectare farm in Kesseri Kunda, CRD. He said the savings he made from those trips is not more than D70,000 - D80,000. He said he planted about 2,000-3,000 cashew trees there and has started commercializing it. He said it is a freehold property that was acquired between 1998 and 2002. He has fenced it. He further said it also has a 3- bedroom building, boys quarters and 10 other bedrooms. He said he also bought a milk machine for about D30,000 - D40,000 and that is equivalent to his one or two months pensions. He said the Alkalo of Kesseri Kunda was given D5,000 - D10,000. He said since the allocation of the land to him he had invested D800,000 on it. He said that in 1972 he was allocated a plot of land but during his time of appointment, between 1998 and 2002 he was not officially allocated a plot of land. He stated that his wife once bought an incomplete compound situated at Kotu from one Mr. Demba Komma in Brikama, in 2002. He said the Kotu property is now completed and rented for D60,000 per annum starting from the end of 2003. It is a 3 bedroom Bungalow building. The property was purchased for D900,000. Dr Jobe said between 1972 - 78 when he was a Professor at the University of Senegal, the late President Senghore said he could have land after staying there for long. That’s how he got that property in Senegal. In 1978 he left for France. He further said in 2001 he moved to his Fajara residence which was acquired in 1972. He also said he bought a brand new 18 kVA generator in 2002 from the Gambia Electrical Company at about D80,000. Dr. Jobe said he invested a lot in furniture and infact UNESCO did send him a container of furniture. He said the whole construction of the building costs about D1 million two hundred thousand, excluding the furniture. He further revealed that one Mr, Flowarr, who built the Supreme Court of the Gambia, constructed the building. He said all his radios were bought in 1998. Dr. Jobe said after his term in office ended in 2002, he bought a four-wheel drive Nissan Patrol. He also bought a four-wheel drive lorry (Mercedes Benz - Man) for his wife in 1999. He further said that he has a broken Mercedes 500, bought from France. He said since 1998 to this year he is paying his daughter’s school fees in the U.S.A. He also said his one month retirement benefits is the cost of his wife’s car. He denied paying anything from the Gambia to his overseas account. Dr. Jobe said there was a payment of his old generator sold at about D120,000 and his wife’s monthly rent collection to his SCB account. Dr. Jobe denied having any contract with Mr. Francesco Casso. He further denied having any personal or business relationship with Abdoulie Kujabi. Dr. Jobe threatened to sue Abdoulie Kujabi to court, if he found that he, Kujabi said this to the commission because since he left office he has not seen Kujabi in person. When asked about Kerr Al-Janna Hotel in Kubuneh, he denied knowing anything about that Hotel, but does know that his wife once had a garden there and was tempted by friends to acquire plots there, but that could not materialse. Asked whether he knows the Proprietor Frenchman of Kerr Al- Jannah Hotel of Kubuneh, Dr. Jobe said that he (the Frenchman) was sick. He should leave the country for treatment. The Frenchman wrote his office requesting for treatment and as a foreign SoS it’s his duty to draw the President’s attention it to and the President ordered him to leave. He pointed out that he doesn’t know whether the man was escorted by security personnel to leave or not. Dr Jobe finally expressed happiness in the exercise of the commission, noting its usefulness in the sense that people like him will now try to keep records of their activities and receipts. SoS Mboob’s Tour Promises To Deal With The Issue Of Marketing And Financing For Trade Season The Secretary of State for Agriculture, Sulayman Mboob, continues his two- week tour of the country, which should take him to all the divisions. The purpose of the tour is to assess the progress and performance of the cropping season and discuss mobilization and coordination of resources for the campaign against anticipated locust invasion. The tour started in the North Bank Division on 9th August and is expected to end on 21st August. SoS Mboob has been visiting farms and field projects, holding discussions with farmers, agricultural field workers, NGOs and cooperating partners, on the progress and performance of the cropping season. The imminent threat of locust invasion, preparations in hand for controlling any eventual invasion and the mobilization and coordination of resources for the impending campaign against any invasion were discussed with local authorities and farmers. The strategies adopted include the formation of a divisional coordinating committee chaired by the Commissioner with the responsibility for overall coordination and mobilization of resources for the campaign. At village level, Locust surveillance and control brigades comprising farmers and youths will be mobilized, trained and equipped. These will be supported by three mobile, fully equipped locust control teams. According to a preliminary report on the start of the cropping season issued by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit recently established by DOSA to monitor, evaluate and report on a fortnightly basis, the status of the cropping season, despite the generalized dry spell affecting the whole country from the end of June, which halted agricultural activities and resulted in poor germination, overall crop performance is satisfactory, due to subsequent good rains. On the first day of the tour, farms visited were groundnut, early millet, rice (NERICA), maize and two poultry projects. According to the Agricultural Communication Unit, the area put under various crops has increased compared to last year; the crops are highly promising as groundnut fields are flowering, early millet heading and rice and maize heading for the vegetative stage. SoS Mboob was impressed by the high level of agronomic practices adopted by farmers such as row spacing, fertilizer/manure application and high plant population, which is an indication of the use of good quality seeds. The emergence of big farmers within the division was observed. SoS Mboob suggested that these farmers should consider forming associations of commercial farmers, which should provide a basis for facilitating the acquisition of inputs and equipment for their members. On the second day of the tour, SOS Mboob and team visited fields in the Baddibus. In general, there is hardly any arable land in the North Bank Division that has not been put under cultivation. Farmers have indicated that there has been a definite increase in the area put under cultivation particularly groundnuts, millet and maize. A new phenomenon is an emerging class of Commercial Maize Grower. Most, if not all the fields visited by the team have fertilizer or manure applications and the team has observed a high consumption of fertilizers, which has led to an increasing demand for more fertilizer. An individual farmer in Daru-Rilwan is reported to have applied 300 bags of fertilizer. The SoS and his team also observed an increase in the number of Community farms. At Nawleru, as a result of their Community farm, the villagers have succeeded in opening a savings account with VISACA, which has enabled them to access loans for purchasing fertilizers for their members and established a Village Cereal Bank. At Jajarie and Jumansarba, farmers have diversified into Pumpkin and Watermelon production, which is apparently attracting buyers from Mauritania and Senegal and has led to increased income generation for the Communities involved. The third day of SoS Mboob’s tour took him to Central River Division North were he met more emerging commercial farmers. He expressed satisfaction at the level of cultivation in the area. He observed that given the unprecedented increase in the area planted this year and the quality of crops fields; a bumper harvest is envisaged if the rainy season remains favourable. Addressing a group of farmers at Ngayen Sanjal, SoS Mboob stressed the need for effective marketing of produce this year and assured farmers that government was addressing the issue of marketing all agricultural produce as well as financing for the trade season. He further assured farmers that the Department of Cooperative Development within the Department of State for Agriculture has been instructed to initiate a series of consultations with all stakeholders, in particular the Primary Cooperative Societies to ensure that the marketing of produce at Primary Society level is properly structured, rationalized, transparent and properly managed this season. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~