Njie Jatta Njie, Thanks for your Foroyaa forwards. I always look forward to them. All the best, Bailo. >From: Amadu Kabir Njie <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Fwd: Foroyaa Burning Issues >Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 12:43:27 +0000 > >Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues > >Issue No. 10/2005, 7-9 February, 2005 > > > >Editorial > >ARREST AND DETENTION WITHOUT TRIAL > >The arrest and detention of National Assembly members, Imams, senior public >servants, businesspersons and other family men have been a subject of >discussion everywhere. The latest arrest and detention of the Imam of the >Airport mosque is a clear testimony of the trend of impunity that has >developed. People have expressed their bitterness but appear helpless. They >want FOROYAA to explain how this problem can be overcome. > >The lesson that people can draw is simple. > >First and foremost, we must demystify power. Secondly, we must challenge >unlawful exercise of authority to test the validity of oversight >institutions like courts. Thirdly, if oversight institutions perform their >duties but are defied by constituted authority there should be public >outcry to expose such constituted authority nationally and internationally. >Finally, the people should vote against any constituted authority which has >no respect for the constitution, the laws of the country and public opinion >at large. > >The laws of the country on arrest, detention and trial are very clear. The >limit set to the authority of the executive, legislature and judiciary are >very clear. > >Section 1 subsection (2) of the constitution states: > >"The sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from >whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and >for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be >exercised in accordance with this constitution." > >The facts are clear. The authority of government is derived from the >people. It should be exercised to promote the people’s welfare. The limit >in the exercise of this authority should be based on what the constitution >stipulates. > >In terms of arrest and detention section 19 subsection (3) states: > >"Any person who is arrested or detained?b) upon reasonable suspicion of his >or her having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under >the Laws of The Gambia, and who is not released, shall be brought without >undue delay before a court and, in any event, within seventy-two hours." > >It is therefore abundantly clear that no one should be detained for more >than 72 hours without being taken before a court for judicial review. > >Only a court can order a person’s detention after 72 hours in public >custody without court appearance. This is the law. Anybody who violates >this, even if the order comes from a higher authority, must be seen to be >contemptuous of the authority of the constitution and the courts. Such a >person is an outlaw, pure and simple. > >In a country where there is true respect for the rule of law, the law >enforcement officers are bound to listen to the dictates of the law, not >the dictates of might. > >All should work for a Gambia where authority is derived from the people and >exercised according to the law in their interest. > >SYLVA’S TRIAL STILL LINGERS ON > >By Surakata Danso > >The trial of the former Managing Director of Social Security and Housing >Finance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Sylva, which was schedule for Thursday, 3rd >February 2005 did not proceed. When this reporter asked a court official >why the case did not proceed he indicated that the head of the prosecution >team was before the Chief Justice on administrative matters. > >It could be recalled that when Mr. Sylva appeared before the Paul >commission he was asked about a standby generator owned by Ocean Bay Hotel, >which is a subsidiary of the Social Security and Finance Corporation. Some >days later Mr. Sylva was arrested and subsequently brought before the >Banjul Magistrates Court on a charge of perjury. Since Mr. Sylva’s first >appearance in December 2004, the case has been adjourned several times upon >the application of the prosecution. > >When Foroyaa contacted ASP Dibba of the prosecution he confirmed that he >was engaged with the Chief Justice. On the next adjournment date ASP Dibba >told this reporter that his office is to see the defence team of lawyers >and fix a date. > >GAMBIA’S SUPERIOR COURTS LACK JUDGES > >By Sarjo M. Camara > >The three superior courts namely the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and >High Court are having difficulties in satisfying the constitutional >requirements regarding their constitution and operation. > >In an interview with this reporter, Mr. B. Y. Camara, the Master of the >High Court disclosed that none of these three courts meets its legal >mandate to be operational. He said section 121 of the constitution states, >"There shall be the Chief Justice and not less than seven (7) other judges >at the High Court," but that at the moment they do not even have the >minimum requirement by the constitution; that they have only six (6) judges >at the High Court. The Master said that the High Court has only one Gambian >born judge, Justice A. K. Savage, Justice M. A. Paul, employed by the >Gambian Government, two others from the Commonwealth and the rest from >Nigeria. > >On the Appeal Court, Mr. Camara said that section 129 of the constitution >states that there shall be a Court of Appeal with the President of the >Court and not less than three (3) appeal judges constituting it but, that >as at now Justice Wallace Grante is the only Gambian Appeal Court judge who >is also the Provisional President of the Court of Appeal. He said the >former President, Justice G. B. S. Janneh is now appointed as a Supreme >Court judge. Mr. Camara informed this paper that at times they draft judges >from the High Court to sit as Appeal Court judges temporarily if there is >any court. > >On the Supreme Court which is the last court of resort, section 125 of the >constitution states, "The Chief Justice and not less than four other >justices of the Supreme Court of The Gambia shall constitute the court." He >said apart from the present Chief Justice, Mr. Brobbey only one (1), a >Gambian judge, Justice G. B. S. Janneh sits there; that when cases are to >be heard at the Supreme Court they get judges from Supreme Courts in the >sub-region like Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. > >He told this reporter that at the last two Supreme Court sittings they >brought Justice Ali from Nigeria, Justice Wood from Ghana, Justice >Mambilima from Zambia and Justice Joko Smart from Sierra Leone. > >He concluded that the present Chief Justice is striving very hard to ensure >that the requirements of the constitution are met regarding the >constitution and operation of the courts. > >WORKSHOP ON LOCUSTS > >By Tombong Jadama > >The Department of State for Agriculture is very much worried about the >invasion of locusts in The Gambia. As the swarms are now frequently coming >into the country in their millions, it appears that the department is >losing the battle. What actually surprises the farmers and Gambians at >large is that The Gambia was seen making preparations to prevent the >locusts invasion well before their arrival but now locusts are here and we >cannot remove them. > >On Wednesday 2nd February 2005 a two days workshop was organised by the >Department of State for Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and >Agricultural Organisation (FAO) at the Wellingara Agricultural Camp, >Serrekunda. Participants were drawn from all the Divisional Agricultural >Offices in the country. According to sources, the aim of the workshop was >to enable participants interact and familiarize with the locusts >coordinators at the divisional level so as to know the problems affecting >their work, especially in terms of fighting the menace. The workshop also >focused on the constraints during the course of the campaign. Team leaders >were also given the opportunity to highlight the dangers during the >spraying like the risks involved in using the chemicals or pesticides. The >workshop called the attention of donors for assistance or support in >fighting the locusts. > >Efforts to get in touch with the National Coordinator for the locusts >campaign, Mr. Bai Secka proved unsuccessful due to the official’s busy >schedule. FOROYAA will get in touch with the authorities to shed light on >the issue. > >INTERVIEW WITH HALIFA SALLAH > >FOROYAA: You went to South Africa immediately after the signing ceremony to >establish the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD). What >was your trip about? > >Halifa: The bureau of the Pan African Parliament met to plan the next >ordinary session of the parliament which should take place in March. Since >I am responsible for writing the report on our trip to Darfur I had to give >a parliamentary briefing to the bureau. The final report will be submitted >to the parliament at the next session. > >FOROYAA: Can you measure the impact of the visit of the Pan African >Parliament taking that the crisis seems to be raging? > >Halifa: There are many institutions of the African Union. There is the >Assembly of Heads of State chaired by President Obasanjo. They are >responsible for policy making regarding Darfur. There is the Commission >headed by Chairman Konare. They are responsible for implementation of the >decisions of the heads of state. There is the Security Council which is >responsible for technical advice. All these institutions have collaborated >to establish an AU mission in Sudan to promote ceasefire and negotiate >settlement. > >The Pan African Parliament is an oversight institution. It sent us to >monitor the policies and their implementation on the ground and give advice >regarding their viability or otherwise. The impact of our trip comes after >we submit our report for debate by the Pan African Parliament and sent to >the other organs of the AU, the Sudanese government and the other regional >and national parliaments. I am confident that the report will help evoke >the right thinking on how to address the Darfur problem. > >FOROYAA: In your absence people like Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay took a few >shots at NADD. Would you like to comment on this? > >Halifa: I had already given a reply through the medium she used to lodge >her criticisms. I believe that most people considered my response to be >adequate. > >FOROYAA: In response to your comments she insisted that Jammeh will still >be contesting in 2011? > >Halifa: Well, that is her opinion. Jammeh has been in office since July >1994. If he were to be elected in office in both 2006 and 2011 he would >have stayed in the office of President for 22 years by the year 2016. I >still maintain that any president who does not subscribe to the 2 terms >limit will be a pariah by 2010. > >The new standards of governance being set on the continent would require >being part of the Africa Peer Review mechanism before any continental >office is held. Presidents must conform to democratic norms or be isolated >for the monarchical or dictatorial tendencies. Any person who wishes Jammeh >well should drive this lesson to him. > >FOROYAA: She also said that the Alliance is being driven by one ideology? > >Halifa: Politics operates at a mature plane when people on different sides >of the political spectrum focus less on trivial issues and more on issues >of policies and practices. I am expecting a mature intellectual response to >the MOU which may try to analyse its content with the view to expose >inadequacies. > >FOROYAA: Is the Alliance driven by one ideology? > >Halifa: Look at the decision making and technical organs of the Alliance. >Each party is represented by two persons. How can any party dominate the >others? For example, I am in certain committees at the level of the >National Assembly. When they accept ideas from me could one say that the >committees are driven by one party? Correct and sound ideas belong to all >those who are willing to accept them. I have emphasized that the Alliance >is based on the lowest common denominator of democratic principles that >could bind all the parties without any bowing down to the other. Maturity >and democratic debate enabled us to reach unanimity in views. This only >confirms that NADD will be able to build an open and tolerant society where >the media will convey divergent views. > >FOROYAA: How do you see the continuous arrest and detention of even Imams? >Is President Jammeh not trying to suppress dissent? > >Halifa: One thing is clear to me. No one possesses personal power. We >should condemn impunity and refuse to be cowered by it. In short, at one >time Sana Sabally had equal voice with Jammeh and was feared by many. Where >is he now? It is situation that gives power. Once situations change people >become as humble as the situation demands. Look at the white South Africans >today. Compare them during the time of apartheid. State power can be abused >to dominate people. However such domination does not last and no society >can build a foundation of peace, stability and security on the pillars of >oppression and impunity. > >FOROYAA: How is this to be checked? > >Halifa: Well, I was speaking to some ANC members of parliament. They >indicated that even though the opposition is weak in numerical terms in >South Africa, the mature democratic institutions have given rise to a >vibrant press and civil society organisation such as trade unions which >wield their power to check excesses in governance; that a person high in >office as the Vice President had her cut to size by the press and civil >society for allegations of corruption. Hence a country need strong and >viable institutions that can hold all authorities accountable. In the >Gambia civil society organisations are still quiet while efforts are being >made to the muzzle the press in the name of promoting responsible >journalism; even though the executive can use all the terms it outlaws to >caricature others. > >In my view, what is necessary now is to have a very strong opposition that >can enlist the confidence and support of the people. This is bound to put >pressure on the government to take the road of good governance as a coping >strategy or be very easy to defeat at the polls in 2006. The people should >really give their support to the Alliance so that it can serve to check the >uncontrolled might of the executive. > >At the National Assembly > >FOROYAA maintains that with knowledgeable National Assembly Members, >coupled with a responsive and accountable executive, the people would truly >become sovereign. The people need to know how their representatives are >performing. > >This column is reserved for National Assembly Proceedings and Interviews >with National Assembly Members. > >NAMs ON THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE > >SIDIA’S CONTRIBUTION > >"CATTLE TAX PAYMENTS TO COUNCILS MUST STOP!" > >During his deliberation on the adjournment debate, the National Assembly >member for Wuli West, Hon. Sidia Jatta, indicated that even though there >has been a Local Government Act, the Councils, as they are now, are under >the control of Divisional Commissioners. "Councils are not decentralized in >any way and they are not rendering services to anyone in their localities >who are putting money in their coffers," said Sidia. "A member has said in >the National Assembly that drugs for animals are expensive because of the >tax levied on the products, but that the people are paying money for >services in the form of tax but as it has always been, these taxes are >collected by people who are not competent to collect them because they do >not have the technical know-how to render those services to the people who >are paying the tax," Sidia said. He told the Assembly that come next >meeting, they will either come with a private member’s bill or a resolution >to put a stop to Councils collection of > cattle tax from cattle owners because they are not providing any services >to cattle owners. > > > >"MAGGOTS EAT PATIENTS BEFORE THEIR DEATH!!! > >In his 2005 budget, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic >Affairs, Hon. Musa Bala Gaye indicated in paragraph 67 that the actual >total poverty reduction expenditures amounted to D382.8 million and D369.3 >million, respectively; that of this amount D194.3 million (50 %) was >allocated to Education, D134.3 million (34 %) to Health and Social Welfare, >D44.3 million (11%) to Agriculture and D17.6 million (5 %) to National >Resources and the Environment in the year 2002. Similarly, he said, "In the >year 2003, D208.6 million (45 %) was allocated to Education, D172.9 million >(37 %) to Health and Social Welfare, D63.9 million (14 %) to Agriculture >and D17.2 million (4 %) to National Resources and the Environment." > >In reacting to this statement, the National Assembly member for Wuli West, >Hon. Sidia Jatta stated that he would want to ask the Hon. Secretary of >State how these millions that have been spent on Education, Agriculture, >Health brought about poverty reduction; that for him the investment in the >health sector has neither increased the amount of drugs nor has it made >drugs cheaper for the people. The National Assembly member for Wuli West >said that the millions that are spent on health have not improved any >conditions in health centres. He cited the Basse Health Centre as an >example where toilets are stinking and maggots are eating patients even >before they die! Sidia emphasised that this is no exaggeration, the >problems have aggravated because you can hardly go to a health facility >without a prescription to buy drugs. > > > >Issue No. 11/2005, 10-13 February, 2005 > >USA’S MOST DIFFICULT DECISION > >FOROYAA’S HUMBLE ADVICE > >The new US Cabinet is without cautious Collin Powell and Ms. Rice is >treading on the most uncertain political grounds that the US has ever >walked on since it started its external interventions. The first diplomatic >error is to focus on Iran while Iraq is a powder keg waiting to explode. >The US administration sees election in Iraq as a success instead of a new >dilemma for the US administration as long as it aims to continue its >military presence and political influence in the country. > >The correct interpretation of the Iraq situation is that two centers >against US presence have been created, that a legal one which will emerge >at the wake of the election results and an armed opposition which >demonstrated its invincibility by being present even at the highest level >of security presence and alert. > >The differences between most members of the armed opposition and those who >participated in election contest are tactical and not strategic. Most of >them want the US military presence to end. The armed opposition were trying >to discourage the Iraqi people from participating in the elections by >calling it a sham that will not bring an end to the US occupation. Those >who participated in the elections were convinced that the ballot is the >easiest way to realise Iraq’s sovereignty and independence. Hence after the >elections the attitude of the US will determine which side will claim >victory. > >If the US takes the hard decision of leaving Iraq to the Iraqi people to >decide all matters of their life, promote multilaterism to help a new Iraqi >government to take charge and be seen not to be a puppet of the US >government then the election will be seen as a serious success in Iraq. >However, if the US maintains its political and military presence and >dominance in Iraq, the armed opposition will claim victory and the election >will be seen as a sham. > >FOROYAA sees the ultimate outcome to be significant to international peace >and security which should be the common concern of all members of the >international community. We therefore hope that our humble reflection will >be given the consideration due by the US authorities via their embassy in >Banjul. > >FORMER HIGH COURT ACCOUNTANT PLEADS GUILTY > >Baba Gassama, a former High Court accountant who was charged with thirty >eight counts ranging from theft, personation, economic crimes, >falsification of records and destruction of public records has pleaded >guilty to three counts of theft, one count of economic crime, one count of >fraudulent false accounting and one count of personation. > >Baba Gassama appeared in court on Monday and Tuesday with his co-accused, >Papadadour Senghore Joof, who is facing theft and economic crime charges. > >The accused persons are arraigned in court for causing loss of revenue to >the state amounting to D1, 520, 000 (one million five hundred and twenty >thousand dalasi). > >The case did not proceed on Monday. However, when the case was called on >Tuesday, the prosecution team led by Mary Wood averred that the prosecution >met on Monday with the defence team. Mary Wood noted that the prosecution >agreed with the defence’s proposal to reduce the charges preferred against >the first accused person, Baba Gassama to six counts. She noted that >Gassama did make up his mind to change his no guilty plea. She noted that >the prosecution had decided to reduce the charges preferred against Gassama >to six. > >Lamin Jobarteh, counsel for the first accused person later stood up and >applied to the court for the six counts preferred against his client to be >read in court. > >Antouman Gaye, counsel for Papadadour Senghore Joof said it was agreed at a >meeting held at the Attorney General’s Chambers between the defence team >and the prosecution that the two sides will take a date for an adjournment >after the first accused takes his plea. He said the purpose of the >adjournment is for the prosecution and Lawyer Jobarteh to address the >court, whilst in the meantime the state will consider its position vis-?vis >the second accused person. > >The court later granted Mary Wood’s application and struck out the other >thirty-two counts preferred against Gassama. The six counts of theft, >fraudulent false accounting, economic crimes and personation were read in >court for the first accused person, and he pleaded guilty to all of them. > >The case continues today. > >IGP BADJIE/SoS BAH ADMONISH POLICE OFFICERS > >The Inspector General of Police, Landing Badjie has urged senior police >officers to restore public confidence in the police force whilst noting >that supervision of stations is falling behind. > >IGP Badjie made this remark on Monday during the decoration of thirty-six >senior officers who were promoted to the ranks of Assistant Superintendent >of Police, Superintendent of Police, Chief Superintendent of Police and >Commissioners of Police. IGP Badjie paid homage to the Commander of the >mobile division of the police whom he said took three hundred and thirty >six offences to court, and succeeded in having the culprits convicted. >However, the Inspector General of Police was not pleased with other senior >officers whom he said failed to produce reports of crimes committed in >their jurisdictions. He expressed his disapproval of the performance of >officers responsible for checkpoints. He said the failure of the officers >to measure up to expectation prompted him to ban traffic checkpoints. The >Inspector General of Police also paid homage to the ex-police officers and >urged them to advise the police officers where necessary. > >According to IGP Badjie, his office in consultation with the Department of >State for the Interior and Religious Affairs, forwarded recommendations for >the promotion of senior police officers for the year 2005. He said >following the submission of the recommendation, the Police Service >Commission with effect from 1st January 2005 approved the promotion of >thirty-six senior officers to various ranks. Those promoted to the rank of >Commissioners of Police are the following: chief Superintendent, Ousman >Gibba, Biran Mbye, Edward Sambou and Famara Jallow. Those promoted to the >rank of Chief Superintendent of Police include former Police >Superintendents Pa Amady Jallow. IGP Badjie told the newly promoted >officers that their promotions should be conceived as an added challenge in >that their responsibilities will definitely increase, coupled with high >expectations in terms of their approach to duties. > >The Secretary of State for the Interior, Mr. Samba Bah urged the officers >to work hard in order to restore the image of the police force, whilst >urging them to supervise the junior officers. He said around 1981, the size >of the Police Force was under one thousand people. > >"I can safely say, things were better-off those days than now," he >remarked. > >He said the Police owe responsibility to the public and government, whilst >noting that some vehicles ply our roads without number plates. > >SoS Bah urged the promoted officers to be steadfast, dedicated, loyal, and >above all support the government in the execution of their duties in a >professional and efficient manner. He noted that the officers will be >measured against their performance vis-?vis their new assignments and >tasks. > >RVTH LACKS STAFF VEHICLE > >By Yaya Dampha > >Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) is the major referral hospital in >the country and offers services to many patients. It is also where our >major ill-health cases are treated. It is also a fact that people always >find it very hard to get transport to take them to work every working day. >This problem of transportation does not exclude the nurses and doctors >whose services are of immense importance to the communities. > >According the PRO of RVTH,Mr.Baboucar Ngum, they are facing a lot of >constraints when it comes to transporting staff to work. He said that it is >always very necessary to have the services of a nurse or doctor available >at any time when needed; that the hospital at the moment has only one bus >and it is the only vehicle they use to collect their workers some of whom >are living very far from Banjul. The PRO said that the X-ray department and >theatre are very important units which need vehicles for their staff; that >this will make service delivery to the public very easy and accessible. He >cited instances where the films in the X-ray department are finished during >the weekend and the member of staff responsible is not at work and needs to >be collected to supply the materials and there is difficulty to collect him >or her because of lack of transport; that if there is a vehicle at their >disposal they will then be able to collect staff who are needed during >emergency situations. > >The PRO said he is calling on the government and private donors to help his >department with vehicles in order for them to be delivering effective >services as required. Mr. Ngum commended the private sector and the >Independent Newspaper for the support they are giving to the RVTH in >helping it in its development. > >The PRO also seized the opportunity to inform this reporter that over one >hundred nurse attendants are currently on a training at the hospital to >improve their capacities in service delivery. By promoting the skills of >these nurses, Mr. Ngum said, RVTH is fulfilling its mandate as a teaching >hospital and many staff have so far benefited from training packages. He >said the hospital and its staff need the help of those from government and >the private sector. > >WORRIES DEEPEN AS TRADE SEASON SINKS > >By Tombong Jadama > >As this year’s trade season sinks deeper in limbo, farmers are becoming >worried about their monies after taking their nuts to the various seccos. >The Department of state for Agriculture has allowed only one company >,Gamco, to operate accusing the others of not meeting the criteria to buy >nuts. > >According to other operators they have been operating in this country >seasonally for many years now without problems, but that this year they >were not allowed to operate by the government. An operator went on to >indicate that even though they are not allowed to operate, farmers?problems >are and should be the concern of every Gambian. He further indicated that >in previous years, there used to be more than four stakeholders in the >groundnut marketing business but still they were not able to meet the >tonnage expected. He said a single company cannot buy all the nuts in the >country; that the only thing they do is credit buying. He said the >government should allow other stakeholders to participate together with >other private operators so as to avoid the slow marketing characterized by >this year’s season. > >When this reporter went to Gamco, he found many small operators waiting for >their cheques. Many spoke of their utter dissatisfaction with this year’s >trade season; that for more than two weeks they had not received monies to >pay the farmers; that it is expensive to travel all the way from Basse to >come and spend weeks in Banjul without receiving their monies. However, it >has been disclosed to this paper that there will be a stakeholders?meeting >on Thursday 10th February 2005. Readers will be kept informed of >developments. > >At the National Assembly > >FOROYAA maintains that with knowledgeable National Assembly Members, >coupled with a responsive and accountable executive, the people would truly >become sovereign. The people need to know how their representatives are >performing. > >This column is reserved for National Assembly Proceedings and Interviews >with National Assembly Members. > >PEOPLE’S VIEW ON THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY > >By Abdoulie Dibba > >FOROYAA has been publishing in this column people’s views regarding the >National Assembly at the end of the report of the proceedings of the >National Assembly. In this publication, FOROYAA got in touch with Baboucarr >Njie, a teacher. > >FOROYAA: Can you tell our readers your educational background? > >Mr. Njie: I attended Serrekunda Primary, Nusrat High and then Gambia >College School of Education. > >FOROYAA: Are you conversant with developments at the National Assembly? > >Mr. Njie: Very well! You see, the National Assembly is the highest >democratic institution in the country. It is the institution that should >ensure proper scrutiny of the Executive and all government departments and >ministries, plus their law making power. So because of this, very >democratically minded citizens should be conversant with the developments >taking place in such an institution. > >FOROYAA: What is your view on the performance of the National Assembly >regarding the role it should perform? > >Mr. Njie: I must start by emphasizing the fact that in any National >Assembly (Parliament) where the majority of the members see themselves as >one and the same with the Executive, that National Assembly or Parliament >will be reduced to a rubber stamp Assembly or Parliament and The Gambia is >not exception. The National Assembly should be independent from the >Executive. And this is why the constitution stated clearly in the preamble, >"The functions of the arms of government have been clearly defined, their >independence amply secured with adequate checks and balances to ensure that >they work harmoniously together toward the common good." This simply means >that none of the arms of government should serve as an underdog to the >other or others as the case may be. I therefore call on all members of the >Assembly to master the constitution to their fingertips and serve the >national interest which is supreme to individual interests. > >FOROYAA: What is your message to the electorate? > >Mr. Njie: My message is simple. The electorate should follow the >developments taking place at the National Assembly by attending sittings in >order to better judge the performance of their representatives because to >be honest with you, there are some who are doing very well but then there >are some doing badly. > >FOROYAA: Thank you Mr. Njie. > >Mr. Njie: Thanks goes to FOROYAA which is giving voice to the voiceless. > > > > > >--------------------------------- > ALL-NEW Yahoo! 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