Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues Issue No. 91/2004, 18-21 November, 2004 Editorial What Is Happening At Ocean Bay Hotel Insecurity of Tenure The highest tragedy in current day administration is the lack of job security. Who would have told all the managers of public enterprises like Mr Deen, Mr Sylva and co. that they will wake up one day and be told that they are sacked without any disciplinary procedures entitling them to a fair hearing? Now the disease of staff attrition is beginning to rip Ocean Bay Hotel. Insecurity has become the order of the day. Supervisors, waitresses, waiters, stewards, bar tenders, cooks and drivers are leaving because of the lack of predictability of the type of management. It is claimed that many experienced hotel workers decided to come to the new hotel because of their hope that the Gambian management would have conviction to motivate the workers to ensure that the investment of their money would not go in vein. The president also gave the impression that the hotel would be staffed and managed by Gambians. He has repeatedly criticised Gambians for not accepting leadership role. What is strange is that despite all the capable Gambian managers they preferred to hire a manager from outside. Some felt that the reason was to free the person from any more influence. This view was shattered when the General Manager was removed without any explanation given. Now there are rumours that a manager is to be mobilised from Kairaba Beach Hotel to establish the same chain link that once was at Kairaba when its ownership was a matter of speculation. What we now wish to ask is simple. Is Ocean Bay a public enterprise? If so, what laws should govern its administration? If the president was not managing the country according to his whims and caprices the operation of the hotel would have been in accordance with the requirements of the constitution. Every public enterprise has a Board. Section 175 of the constitution states: "The members of the Board of a public enterprise shall be appointed by the president after consultation with the Board of Directors and the Public Service Commission." The president is therefore fully responsible for what is happening at Ocean Bay. He claims that Gambians do not like themselves and do not give each other opportunity. Interestingly enough competent Gambians are now being marginalised from the position of chief executive. To make matters worse even the chairperson of the Board had been a subject of interrogation which breeds' insecurity. Does the president really want to promote Gambians of integrity, competence and sound judgment to handle top managerial posts or does he want tools who would say "yes" to his every command? The type of board and management of the hotel in the near future will enable us to answer this question without any fear of error. Ocean Bay Chairman Speaks Out Was the Generator Bought or Borrowed? When FOROYAA contacted the Ocean Bay Chairman, Mr. Amadou Samba to find out whether the generator that was taken to Kanilai had been returned he categorically denied that any generator was borrowed. He claimed that the generator was paid for the day after it was taken away from the hotel and there is documentary evidence to prove this. FOROYAA cannot at this stage deal with the veracity of the Chairman's claim that the generator was not borrowed but was bought because that is the issue before the court in the trial of former SSHFC Managing Director, Andrew Sylva and it would be sub judice to do so. We shall wait for further revelations at the trial. Meanwhile Mr. Samba revealed that the cash received was used to order the same generator from Japan, which he believed had already arrived at the time of the interview. For the same reason FOROYAA thinks it would be sub judice to delve into the question why they sold the generator only to buy the same thing again. Mr. Samba emphasized that two standby generators each of capacity 750 KVA were available. One was sold and another of the same specification ordered. HALIFA ON THE PRESIDENT'S DISCUSSION WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS FOROYAA: President Jammeh issued a challenge that no one can legitimately dismiss his claim to have done more for his country within ten years than any president in Africa. What do you have to say to this? Halifa: He added that self-praise is no recommendation when he coined the Wolof proverb that "Soap cannot clean itself." In my view, one should not argue with opinions that are not backed by facts. The fact that Gambia is not producing even a candle confirms the lack of development of the productive base. Even the rice and sugar given by the President is derived from abroad. For ten years we have been unable to attain self-reliance in food production. Last year we exported only 73.7 million Dalasis worth of goods and imported 4 billion Dalasis worth. Only Gambia had reached the debt service crisis where 75 % of our annual budget was targeted for debt repayment that is 1.5 billion Dalasis. In fact, the President had to apologise for the horrible electricity shortage, which is compounded by high tariffs. Only President Jammeh can be proud of such a record. Anybody has the right to look at the sun and call it the moon. He is free to pair underdevelopment as development. We will leave the facts to indict him. FOROYAA: President Jammeh criticized the youth in particular and Gambians in general for not participating in national development but praised the women for their hard work. Do you agree to this? Halifa: The President specifically mentioned the fishing sector. At this very moment I have experienced Gambian youths who have been waiting to join fishing trawlers for the past 2 years. Many youths are registered with the seamen unions but are yet to have the opportunity to go on board trawlers. I cannot understand what the President means. Imagine the number of students who are enrolled at the GTTI to do construction, welding, auto mechanics and other subjects relating to the technical field. The President is far behind time in saying that young people shun technical professions. Thousands of young people are yearning to be enrolled at GTTI, but do not have the financial means to pay. Thousands have graduated since UTC came into being decades ago but many lack the investment capacity to establish enterprises of their own. Those who are in touch with the realities of the young people in the country know that they are ready to scratch the earth for survival. Let the President ask those who are in the construction industry. Hundreds of youths come to offices like ours to get recommendation letters to take to employers on a daily basis. This is why labour is extremely cheap in the country. In fact, one has to look at the construction taking place on the Brikama / Serrekunda Highway. One finds very few masons being engaged. There is surplus labour but few people are being engaged to the maximum to maximize profits. What the President should say is that labour power is abundant, least engaged and unrewarded because of the backward economy his government has put in place. He should stop antagonizing the helpless youths with his unsustainable allegations. These are just means of finding excuse for the failures of his own government. FOROYAA: The President said that he is trying to provide electricity supply for the rural areas and would not intentionally deprive the urban area of electricity. He accused saboteurs for refusing to provide proper maintenance of the new generators he has bought. He claims that he had to restructure the management of NAWEC to deal with the saboteurs. Do you accept the President's explanation? Halifa: The President is in charge of the energy sector. He has given up Agriculture and should fire himself from the energy portfolio. What the President should tell the people is there is total mismanagement of the energy sector. First and foremost, he invested heavily on generators but did not work on the transmission lines, which should transmit the energy generated to the consumers. We had to take a loan of 500 million Dalasis from Taiwan to change the transmission lines. One would have thought that after getting new generators and transmission lines the public would have regular supply of electricity. This did not happen. The public enquired and were told that fuel prices have increased and NAWEC was unable to meet the fuel cost. This led to increase in tariff by almost 100 %. Despite the high cost of electricity the supply is still erratic. What the public wants from the President is acceptance that his government lacks the competence to manage such a major institution. One wonders why he has not utilized the supernatural powers of the Malian magicians to discover the saboteurs if they really had such powers. What the President should do is to make an inventory of the number of people who are currently the customers of NAWEC and make a hypothetical calculation of the amount of money that should accrue to the institution annually, calculate the generator cost and determine whether NAWEC is viable or not. In our view, the customers are paying the highest cost of electricity ever but are receiving the poorest service ever. FOROYAA: The President warned that people should take what belongs to them; that he is doing all the cleaning up exercise for the good of the nation. What do you have to say to this? Halifa: I have the conviction that a system which lacks transparency and accountability can never succeed in controlling corruption. The seed of corruption is the byproduct of the personalization of power. What we are seeing regarding the ultimate fiasco associated with the YDE, Millennium Airlines, the Central Bank and so on are just the fruits borne by the personalization of power. He started with the claim that there was an Allah's World Bank, which provided resources for the development of all infrastructures instead of telling the public that loans were being taken to finance infrastructural development. This personalization of power is still the order of the day. It is manifested by the statement issued by the Director of Press at the President's office when he told the Press to receive the gift of rice and sugar without asking for the source. This gift has been allocated to all sectors of society and everyone simply praises the President but no one knows where it is coming from. This has given rise to speculation. Many ask where the President can get the money to provide all these gifts. For example, it was announced that he gave D40, 000 and two bulls to the religious leaders. This should amount to over D60, 000. Everyone knows the income of the President derived from the state. This is why many will wonder where the gifts are coming from. If there is no explanation then how can one be convinced that they are from his legitimate earnings? The first task of a state is to establish a proper auditing system to ensure that its annual statements of accounts are properly audited. Since the APRC came into being it has been unable to present an annual audit report of the statements of accounts of the government. It is also the duty of all elected representatives to declare their assets. We will wait and see what the President is going to declare before standing as a Presidential candidate in the next election. We will demand that all these declarations be made public so that people will be able to gauge whether he truly has the type of investment that would enable him to give the type of gifts being dished out. The office of Ombudsman is empowered to receive declaration of assets by public servants every two years. This has never been the practice even though now a commission of inquiry is established to look into the assets of those public servants by presidential decree. Power is personalized. That is the major defect of the system of governance in the country. Everything is waiting for one person's command. This does not spell efficiency and good governance. FOROYAA: The President said that the position of Imamship is God ordained; that some refused to concede to leadership. He argued that the position of Imam Ratib is a national position in that he is like the President of Imams of The Gambia. He also mentioned that his government will install the Imam Ratib and gave a copy of the Quran and two praying mats as gifts. What do you have to say to this? Halifa: His comments went too far. When there is division and there are attempts to heal wounds you do not make new allegations that some are creating difficulties. A post that each is entitled to belongs to all. What is important is to establish an honest, just and transparent way of selecting the occupant based on the fundamentals of a faith or the principles of an organization. There was no need for the President to give a diagnosis of the problem. He should have simply acknowledged the developments so far and leave the religious leaders to work on how to heal their differences based on the fundamentals of the Islamic religion. One fundamental mistake he made is to politicize the function of Imam Ratib by equating his position with that of a President. Such dynastic notions can only promote power rivalry. Faith is the power behind religion not post. The religious leaders should take charge of their own destiny and be ready to work with any government that the members of their congregation decide to put in office in a free and fair election. They should be able to distinguish that the seat of government belongs to the people. Representatives come and go while religion and the seat of government remain. It is therefore necessary for religious leaders to be able to distinguish the seat of government and those who occupy the seat periodically in accordance with the will of the people. I am confident that Gambians generally see religion as the depository of the moral values of humanity. This gives religious leaders tremendous clout, which has to be respected and recognized by all governments. What religious leaders should bear in mind is that the congregation behind them do not subscribe to one political party or idea. They should appreciate the respect accorded by government without endorsing all their actions in public. They may express their own personal convictions when they are speaking for themselves alone and not the members of their congregations. If they adhere to this they will continue to earn the respect of all governments, which come into office. FOROYAA: President Jammeh indicated that he does not have any evil intention against even his opponents; that the position of President can only be occupied by one person at a time; that those who want to occupy the position should not create difficulties for others occupying it but should work in the interest of the nation until God puts them in the position. What do you have to say to this? Halifa: There are two elements to consider in President Jammeh's speech. The first element is a change in his comments regarding opponents. We have always maintained that the people own the country. Who then should lead the country? The answer is simple. All those who own the country should decide who should lead them. This is what democracy is all about. Each leader is capable of misrepresentation. Where there is misrepresentation there must be possibility of rectification. This cannot be unless there is an option. This is what legitimizes the establishment of opposition parties. They are alternative governments in waiting. A genuine democratic society should have a responsible government and where it fails to be responsible an alternative should be in place to provide the people with a choice. Any leader who does not want to be a facist would have to give respect to his or her opinion and expect the same in return. Secondly, the President refuses to acknowledge that the people are responsible for putting him in office. He is constantly perpetuating the anachronistic, discredited and monarchical doctrine of the divine right to rule. Even common sense cannot accept this notion. In short, where there is the right to choose the person has the free will to make things happen. For example, a farmer has the right to choose between a good seed and a bad seed. If he or she chooses a bad seed it would be dishonest and immoral to accuse God of making him or her choose a bad seed. This is entirely left to his or her good judgment and free will. The same principle applies in selecting a good leader or a bad leader. It is a matter of good judgment and free will. FONI KANSALA CHIEF AND NAM CASE NOT ENTERTAINED By Surakata Danso The case of the Foni Kansala Chief, Mr. Momodou Lamin Nyassi, the National Assembly Member, Kawsu Gibba and members of the constituency executive was not heard by Magistrate Mboto on grounds of jurisdiction on Friday 12th November 2004. It could be recalled that the Chief and the members of the constituency executive were arrested by members of the State Guards of Kanilai for stealing 100 bags of rice from the Ramadan rice and sugar gift donated by President Jammeh. The accused persons denied the allegations, noting that they simply sold 100 out of the 2000 bags to raise the D40, 000 needed to transport the rice to Bwiam. According to reports, a day after the completion of the distribution on Monday 8th November 2004, one Corporal Bojang with some members of the State Guards from Kanilai came to Bwiam to say that they received information of theft against them regarding the Ramadan gift. The Chief and others were arrested and taken to Kalagi Police Station where they claimed to have spent the night without food even though they spent the day fasting. The reports further claimed that early in the morning the following day they were taken to the east of Mile Two Central Prison known as Maximum Wing where they were each taken into a cell; that this was from Tuesday the 9th to Thursday the 11th November when they were moved to the Serious Crimes Unit of the Police Headquarters following their charge and appearance before the court on Wednesday, the 12th November 2004; that while at Mile Two on Thursday before they were moved to the police they were joined by their NAM , Kawsu Gibba. The accused persons continued their detention at the police even after the dismissal of the case by the court. At the time of going to press the accused were still detained by the police in contravention of the constitution. Another By-Election By-elections have been quite frequent in The Gambia this year. Three have been held so far this year and a fourth one is scheduled by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to be held on Thursday, 30th December. This time it is the vacant seat of the old Jeshwang Ward in the Kanifing Municipal Council that is to be contested. The returning officer will receive nomination of candidates at the IEC office in Kanifing on Monday, 13th December 2004. The past three by-elections were contested between candidates backed by the Coalition and APRC sponsored candidates. The APRC lost the first two but won the last one. CONDEMNED EGGS DESTROYED By Surakata Danso On Thursday the portion of the condemned eggs unfit for human consumption and the balance of the consignment left in the warehouse were destroyed publicly at the Bakoteh Dumpsite. The destruction, which was conducted by Public Health Officers under the leadership of Mr. Darboe of the Environment and Safety Section of the Public Health, was graced by members of the police, NIA and the press. Speaking earlier Mr. Darboe indicated that with proper mobility for the members of his staff they will follow up the eggs nationwide and all other functions of public health issues. Mr. Darboe acknowledged that public hygiene is key to proper health. He called on the health authorities to look into the mobility issue of public health officers to enable them function better. He also called on all those living in The Gambia to support and co-operate with the public health inspectors, noting that with the proper functioning and cooperation of the public, a lot of bad health issues, e.g. diseases will be under control. Speaking at the site, an old man, Ebou Sisay pinpointed at some sanitary and health issues such as sewage flowing at backyards and on the roads and the sale of items, both imported and locally produced. He also called for the setting up of a food inspection laboratory in order to enhance the spread of certain diseases. He opined this to be long over due considering that Gambia is nearly 40 years old. The Paul Commission By Abdou FB Boye Monday 8th November 2004 TESTIMONY OF MOMODOU JAGNE Testifying before the Paul Commission on Monday 8th November 2004 the Managing Director (MD) of Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC), Mr. Momodou Jagne said that he was appointed Managing Director of GPTC on the 1st October 2003; that in 1994 when he was at the Gambia Airways, he was paid D7, 948.16; that when he was at the Gambia International Airline (GIA), he was paid D4, 544.00; that as Director of Corporation and Technical Services he was paid D11, 007.00 net salary and finally as Director of GPTC he receives D14, 497.00 gross salary monthly. Mr. Jagne added that in his IBC savings accounts he saves his pension and board allowances. He said that his pension is D693.00 and board allowance as D500.00; that in November 2003 he was paid D4, 000.00 as gratuity by GIA when he retired; that when he returned from studies in the USA he came with nothing less than $50, 000. Mr. Jagne admitted benefiting from loans at IBC since 1994 to date and also a building loan of D300, 000.00 and D90, 000.00 as building and car loan respectively from the GIA in 2001. He said he bought a Mercedes Benz car 190 with registration number BJL 9088A from the loan; that he later sold it for D45, 000.00 and bought another Mercedes Benz 190 with registration number BJL 7788B. He said his wife also accessed a loan from her work place, GIA for her own property at Kanifing Housing Estate allocated to her in 1989 by the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC). Asked whether he is maintaining somebody's education in or outside The Gambia, he answered in the positive; that he maintains his children's education, but in The Gambia. He immediately furnished the commission with their (children) names, schools they attend and fees paid per term. Mr. Jagne said that apart from his Wellingara property, which was given to him by the late Alkalo in 1978 and was leased in 1984, he did not have any other one. Mr. Jagne denied making any financial contribution towards the renovation of their Kaur family property. He explained that the property was renovated by his younger brothers now are in the United States whom he had brought up and whose schooling he had paid for. He told the commission that they (brothers) told him that he (Jagne) can rest, they (brothers) will take care of the family, and to which he responded, " they (brothers) are doing." Continuing his testimony the GPTC MD told the commission that he started developing his Wellingara property in 1999 and had spent D600, 000.00 on the building, but said it is not yet completed. He denied making any financial contribution towards is spouse's property in Kanifing. He revealed that he is banking with the Arab Gambia Islamic Bank (AGIB), Trust Bank, Standard Chartered and International Bank for Commerce (IBC). Mr. Jagne said that when he was coming to the GPTC he found few vehicles for the transportation of the general public. TESTIMONY OF PETER TOURAY The second witness to testify on this day was one of the Principal Revenue Collectors at the Customs and Excise Department, Mr. Peter Touray. He told the commission that he was appointed to this post on the 1st January 2004 and is paid Grade 10 level equivalent to D35, 624.00 per annum. He explained that his net salary is D2, 952.00 plus D6000 allowance. Mr. Touray said that his Kotu East property was a government allocation, but that he has mortgaged it to one Mr. Alieu Jallow at D20, 000.00 in 1995; that he cannot provide the document to the commission and does not remember how much he had put into that property, but valued the property at D6, 000.00 Mr. Touray promised to provide receipt for his DS TV but said that he could not provide receipts for most of his assets. He told the commission that his generator cost him D2,500.00; that he has a Nissan Sonny car that cost D60, 000.00 that was shipped to him by his cousin in Germany. Mr. Touray added that he has a current account at IBC since before 1994. Mr. Touray admitted making savings of 1, 500 Pounds from his UK trips and spent his per diems on family affairs. Mr. Touray finally told the commission that, "My revenue collection is superb", because he used to collect about D100 million in a month. Sitting of Tuesday 9th November 2004 TESTIMONY OF BALLA MUSA CHAM Appearing before the commission, Mr. Balla Musa Cham, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brikama Area Council (BAC) said that since 1998 he was at his current position up to now; that by 1998 he was paid Grade 11; that in 2002 he was moved to Grade 12 equivalent to D4, 468.00 monthly salary; that he also receives D1, 000 as responsibility allowance starting this year. Mr. Cham said he is a board member of Bottrop Senior Secondary School and that he receives D400.00 as sitting allowance; that he is also a board member of the Gambia National Lottery (GNL) and receives D1, 200.00 monthly as sitting allowance; that he sits on the Land Administration Board and Planning Committee and receives D500.00 from each board meeting monthly, as member. Mr. Cham denied having any property that he is renting. Mr. Cham admitted having a savings account at the Standard Chartered Bank and the International Bank for Commerce (IBC). Mr. Cham acknowledged making savings from his official trips per diems, but said that he used it on his family; that he has properties at Kololi, Kotu East and Lamin Village. He said his Kotu East property was allocated to him in 1992. He said he started developing it in 1993 and completed the building this year (2004), but did not know how much he invested on this building because he was not recording it. He told the commission that he built the property through his own income and support from family members; that his Lamin property was given to him by the then Chief of Kombo North in the 80s; that from 1999 to 2003 he converted his Kololi property boys' quarters to shops; that his Kololi property was bought in 1983. Mr. Cham said that he has a child who has a property in Brufut. He admitted supporting him (son). He also told the commission that he is supervising his nephew's buildings by the name Balla Musa Cham whose property is located at Sanchaba Sulay Jobe. Mr. Cham denied having any private car since 1994 to date, but that his wife has her own private car, which he said, was bought in 2000. He denied making any contribution towards the purchase of the wife's car. He said since 1994 to date he receives his monthly salary over the counter. The Brikama CEO revealed to the commission that he has many family members staying abroad who financially support him and he used some of the money to maintain his IBC savings account and his other sources of income; that he has five (5) children in Europe who are working, but the daughter is studying. Mr. Cham gave the commission a very long list of his nephews and niece's names, countries of residence abroad, who do normally assist him. Continuing his testimony the Brikama CEO said he is entitled to 90 Pounds per day during his official trips; that he met a person by the name Mr. Larry at his office and was introduced to him by the then Council Chairman; that Larry was a guest invited by the then Chairman for the Council without the consent of the Council; that the former Treasurer, Bakary Badjie and the current Financial Director, Fafa Kuyateh never reported to him any financial mishandling of Council funds. Mr. Cham revealed to the commission that after the report of investigation (audit report) on the scandal of financial mismanagement of the Council's funds last year by some of their (Council) revenue collectors, the Council now has an internal auditor, adding that those who were involved have paid the money back to the Council's coffers. He said prior to his current position at the Brikama Area Council, he was at Janjangbureh and Kuntaur Area Councils between July 1994 to August 1998. TESTIMONY OF WILFRED JAMES JOHNSON The second witness to testify was Mr. Wilfred James Johnson who said that by July 1994 he was the Senior Collector at the Head Office and was transferred to the Airport; that in January 1998 he was promoted to Principal Collector and earned D3, 322.00 as basic salary; that he also receives processing fees of D6, 000.00, residential allowance of D350.00 and car allowance of D500.00. Mr. Johnson said that his Kanifing Estate property was a Social Security allocation in 1990 and he started developing it in 1991. He added that he is still servicing the loan. He also told the commission that the Lamin Village property was owned by his late father and after his demise his mother administered it. He denied owning any property in Banjulunding. Continuing his testimony, Mr. Johnson said he bought a Peugeot 406 at D35, 000.00 in 2001; that he has a current account at IBC and denied any cross banking system with his account and wife's account. He also admitted benefiting from a loan from the International Bank for Commerce (IBC). Mr. Johnson revealed to the commission that he is the head of Customs at the Airport and he has been there for the past three (3) years. Mr. Johnson said that his Opel car was purchased before 1994 and is now not functional (and parked) at the garage. Wednesday 10th November 2004 sitting TESTIMONY OF JUNKUNG BAYO Testifying before the Paul Commission, the former General Manager of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Mr. Junkung Bayo said that by July 1994 he was the Internal Audit Manager; that between the 11th of October 1994 - the 15th October 1998 he was the General Manager; that when he retired in 1998 to date he is engaged in small farming activities and has a restaurant at Manjai Kunda; that as Internal Audit Manager, he was paid Grade 11 and Grade 12 as General Manager; that as General Manager he was paid D6, 688.80 per month. Mr. Bayo admitted sitting to the IBAS board meetings as Chairman for nothing more than one year and received D300.00 per sitting in 1994 before his General Manager position. Continuing his testimony, Mr. Bayo said that he receives rents from his Manjai Kunda and Kotu Layout property at D80, 000.00 per annum. Mr. Bayo denied selling any property or land during his tenure of office; that he has a farmland at Bata Kunku in Tujereng; that in 1997 he earned D10, 000.00 from his farmland. The former CBG General Manager said that in 1996 he sold one of his old Mercedes Benz at D25, 000; that he does not have any share from any bank or company and does not engage in treasury bills. He admitted having a fixed deposit account at the Standard Chartered Bank (SCBG) when he was a student. Mr. Bayo acknowledged benefiting from a car loan at the Central Bank in 1998 at about D150 - 154, 000.00 which he is still servicing. He further said that when he was leaving the Bank he was paid gratuity of D201, 956.00 and D138, 134.00 by the Social Security. Asked why he didn't pay the Bank when he was leaving since he could have done it, Mr. Bayo replied, "It was not my wish to do so." He admitted making 20 - 25 % savings from his official trips per diems. Mr. Bayo denied maintaining anybody's education outside the country but that he maintains those in The Gambia during his tenure of office. He was given a piece of paper to write down his children's names, schools they attend and fees paid per term, which he did. いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html 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] いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい