Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue Issue No.109/2006, 6-7 December, 2006 EDITORIAL A SOCIETY OF POVERTY WITHOUT BEGGARS? The Dilemma Of The APRC Regime!! 69% of the population are living in abject poverty. It is because of such poverty and indebtedness that made the World Bank and IMF to rank Gambia as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC). Many people depend on the income of one or two persons who are working. The APRC government should not close its eyes to the naked fact that many homes survive by one meal a day. That meal is often served in one big basin. It is not uncommon to find seven or more members of a family surrounding such basins to eats. Each has few mouth full and then proceeds to drink a lot of water to fill the stomach. This is why slight malaria leads to amaenia. Others simply boil the starchy rice and add sugar to have a meal. This is why diabetes and other nutrition related illnesses are on the increase. What is therefore surprising is for administrative measures to be taken to sweep all the beggars from the street. Some have been taken to court. The APRC regime should bear in mind that many beggars are now living in a state of destitution, fear and frustration. They approach everyone who open the door to seek for advice. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare should meet the representatives of all the societies of the disabled, many of whose members are terribly affected to discuss a way forward. Begging is part and parcel of the culture of poverty. The progressive way to fight begging is to eradicate poverty. The attempt to do so with an iron hand is not the just way to lead with a social problem. We hope the policy will be revisited and safe the poor from further humiliation, marginalisation and destitution. No Sitting At The Assembly Due To. . . There was no sitting at the National Assembly due to the fact that the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs was absent. The agenda for the day was the laying of the draft Annual Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure with Development Expenditure of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia for the Fiscal year 1st January to 31st December 2007. This motion however, could not proceed due to the absence of SoS, Bala Musa Gaye. The majority leader, Honnourable Churchill Falai Baldeh proposed for the Assembly to be adjourned. Reacting to the absence of SoSs at sittings, Honourable Sidia Jatta, National Assembly member for Wuli West, asserted that the attitude of the National Assembly members of accepting to come to the National Assembly only to be told that the business of the National Assembly cannot proceed simply because of the absence of an SoS should change. “We need to be given notice. This is serious! We cannot come here only to be told that Secretaries of State are not here like we are school boys,” Sidia said. The Assembly was adjourned to Tuesday 5th December. A Tax Based Budget The 2007 estimates was laid by the Secretary of State for finance on Tuesday 5th December 2006. According to estimates the total estimated revenue for 2007 is D3, 342, 670, 000 (Three thousand three hundred and forty two million six hundred and seventy thousand dalasi) while total expenditure and net-lending amounts to D4, 408, 343, 000 (four thousand four hundred and eight million three hundred and forty three thousand dalasi) leaving a deficit of D1, 065, 673, 000 (one thousand and sixty five million six hundred and seventy three thousand dalasi). Out of a total revenue of D3, 342, 670, 000 (Three thousand three hundred and forty two million six hundred and seventy thousand dalasi), D 2, 994, 370, 000 (three thousand nine hundred and ninety four million three hundred and seventy thousand dalasi) is derived from tax. “Don’t Raid Disabled Beggars,” By Yaya Bajo Following last week’s crackdown on disabled street beggars by the police and the subsequent conviction of 21 of them by Magistrate B.Y. Camara of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court for causing nuisance in the streets, the President of the Gambia Federation of The Disabled first reacted to the saga by calling on the Police not to raid disabled street beggars but to engage them in dialogue. Mr. Korah made this call while delivering a speech on the occasion of World Disability Day celebration, on December 3rd at the KMC grounds. The head of the disabled organisations’ federation urged the Gambia Police Force to show sympathy and solidarity in the process of clearing disabled beggars from the streets. He advised the Police officers not to raid street beggars but to advice them to quit the streets or distance themselves from the danger areas to avoid becoming victims of traffic accidents. Mr. Korah further appealed to the police officers to use the sensitisation approach when it comes to dealing with disabled street beggars. He said he feared that “as we celebrate World Disability Day, the stand off between the street beggars and the authorities might be negatively perceived by the international community”. He therefore urged the police not to clamp down on the beggars, but to simply advise them to abandon danger areas for their own safety. “ It is our desire to see that in the next ten years no disabled person will beg in the streets with the help of the Government and all the stakeholders,” he said. The GFD President also spoke about the long term plan of his organisation to ensure that physically disabled people including the visually impaired become computer literate as the theme for this year, E-Accessibility, calls for it. Counsels Cross Examine Detective Abdoulie Sowe By Fabakary B. Ceesay Lawyer Lamin S. Camara and Lamin Jobarteh have on Saturday 2nd December 2006, cross examined detective first class 1580 Abdoulie Sowe. Abdoulie Sowe is the first prosecution witness in the trial of Captain Bunja Darboe at the court martial. Detective Sowe told the court that he was present when Captain Bunja Darboe was brought before the panel. He said he cannot tell how many times he was brought before the panel. He said during the course of their investigations a cautionary statement was obtained from Captain Darboe. He added that he cannot tell the actual date when the statement was taken. He also said he cannot tell how many statements Captain Darboe made to the panel. Detective Sowe maintained that he doesn’t know the date that the preamble was written and the it’s recovery date. Counsel Camara told him that he said he was present all the time, and he responded in the affirmative. Sowe indicated that there is no name of Captain Darboe on the preamble but that his signature is there. Camara asked him how he knows that the signature was that of Captain Darboe. He replied that Captain Darboe has told him and also the panel that the signature is his but he said that he cannot tell the date. Camara ask him where did he recover the video cassette and how. He said he recovered it at GRTS and from Momodou Sanyang. He said that the micro tape and a small cassette were recovered from Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, during the course at their investigation. Sowe added that he cannot tell how long their investigation lasted, whether days or months, he cannot estimate the duration. He said he cannot tell how many times the panel obtained the statement of Captain Darboe, because Captain Darboe was brought before the panel on different occasions. Sowe noted that he had never found anything from Captain Darboe apart from the preamble. He said that Captain Darboe had made a statement in his presence. Counsel Camara asked him where and when did Captain Darboe made a statement to the press. Sowe said Captain Darboe spoke to the press at the NIA conference hall but he cannot remember the specific date. Sowe indicated that Captain Darboe was under the custody of the panelist when he spoke to the press. He explained that he and detective Boto Keita were present when Captain Darboe made a statement to the press. He added that two GRTS Staff, a cameraman and a technical operator were also present. He said the accused person requested to speak to the general public and to the commander in chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, but that he cannot tell the date. Mr. Sowe said out that Captain Darboe’s statement was obtained contained before he spoke to the media in the presence of the independent witness, Tijan Bojang, Boto Keita, himself and the armed officer who sitted at a distance for their protection. Counsel Camara finally put it to him that the preamble was not found with the accused person but that it was made at the panel. Sowe said, it was found with him and that it was not made at the panel but that it was found in accused person’s office drawer. During cross examination by Lamin Jobarteh, detective Sowe told the Court Martial that he has served The Gambia police Force for a long time now and that he is very good in doing his job. He said he is familiar with the conduct of diary of action. He noted that it is not all the time that they include in their diary activities such as who they went for, what they went for and what they recovered. Sowe indicated that their reports include the activities of Captain Darboe in their diary if action. He added that the best witness of a police officer is the station diary and the diary of action. He admitted that he is still maintaining the station diary. He also said that they don’t record the movements and affairs of the accused person in the station diary at all time. Counsel Jobarteh asked him whether he can produce the station diary, report of investigations and the diary of action before the court. He replied in the positive. Justice Agim asked him to bring the diary by the next sitting-sitting continues on the 7th December 2006. Government Urged To Value Migrant Women By Amie Sanneh The State of the World Population Report 2006, which was launched last week, focuses on Women and International Migrant and indicating that women migrants form up to half of all International migrants worldwide. “It is a call for greater cooperation by governments to ensure a win-win situation for all,” says Fadzai Gwaradzimba, the UNDP Representative in The Gambia when delivering a statement on behalf of the UNFPA Representative. The UNDP Representative said the 2006 population report call on governments and individuals to recognize and value the contributions of migrant women and promote and respect their human rights. She stressed the need for stronger cooperation between countries to make migration safer and fairer. “And there is a dire need for greater action to add the lack of opportunities and the human rights violations that led many women to migrate in the first place,” she said. Mrs. Gwarazimba said of the world’s 191 million international migrants, 95 million are women. She revealed that women often work behind the scenes and their work goes largely unrecognised. She said that the 2006 report shows that women migrants, contribute a great deal to the families and communities in their host countries and back home. “Yet despite their huge numbers and substantial contributions to both families and countries abroad and back home, women migrants are too often ignored, disenfranchised and abused,” she added. The UNDP Representative highlighted the background women migrants came from. She said they are domestic workers, caretakers of the sick children and elderly farm labourers, sex workers etc. Mrs. Gwarazimba revealed that human trafficking today is the third most lucrative illicit business in the world after arms and drug trafficking. “As you know, this is very closely tied to sexual exploitation and abuse, and many victims are forced into sex work against their will and held as virtual sex slave,” she said. The UNDP Representative contended that The Gambia has its own share of International Migration and its effect, like many other countries in the sub-region. She, however, said the unstable situation of the surrounding countries adds to the already significant migrant population of the country, which constitutes 7.7% according to the 2003 census. “It is in recognition of this that UNFPA supports the formulation of a comprehensive Migration Policy preparations of which have already begun”, she said, and added that the UNFPA also supported the Department of Immigration with data processing equipment and supplies to enhance the availability of reliable data on the flow of migrants. “Where Is Master Tamba?” Family Members Ask By Lamin Fatty Family sources close to Foroyaa expressed concern over the continuous detention of their beloved one, Mr. Tamba Fofana. Mr. Fofana was the headmaster of Kudang Lower Basic School, up to the time of his arrest and detention. According to a family source Mr. Tamba was arrested a week before the Presidential election by Inspector Jawo of Bansang and subsequently escorted by one Sawaneh to Banjul where he is still said to be in detention. No reason has been advanced for his continuous detention but according to sources he is said to be accused of giving access to the chairs and field of Kudang Lower Basic School to Mr. Ousainou Darboe and his entourage during the presidential campaign for them to conduct a meeting, as well as advising the students to assemble at the Kudang Army Camp in order to welcome the latter and his deligation. This reporter visited the compound of Mr. Tamba to find out, if he is still in detention, but according to his son, Musa Fofana, his father is still held in detention. He said they have access to him nor do know exactly where their father is. He said out that sometime ago they were told that he was at Sibanor Police but when they went to Sibanor, they were told that Mr. Tamba was not there. The son said that the continuous detention of his father is creating a big problem for the family because they neither have food to eat not to talk of going to school because of the lack of money due to the absence of the breadwinner. When this reporter visited Bansang Police, he was told that the Station Officer was out and when he asked the officer on duty about the whereabout of Mr. Tamba he said he cannot comment on the matter. This reporter contacted the PRO of Police, Aziz Bojang, concerning the arrest and detention of Mr. Tamba and who said he was aware of the arrest of Mr. Tamba but does not know where Mr. Tamba is held. Former NAWEC MD’s Case Drags By Bubacarr K. Sowe The ongoing criminal trial of the former Managing Director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), Abdoulie Jobe, has continued to drag on at the Banjul Magistrate Court. Prosecutor Landing Kinteh on Monday applied for an adjournment of the case in order for them to be allowed time to complete their investigation. However, the second accused, Tijan Bahoum, the company’s former supply manager was in court and represented by counsel, Lamin Jobarteh. On the other hand Abdoulie Jobe the first accused was not in court. The prosecution in a previous hearing informed the court that the whereabouts of Mr. Jobe is not known to them. They claimed that they could not give an account of him, since he was not arrested by the Police. The duos are standing trial, on two charges of economic crimes which they pleaded not guilty to. 216 Troops Leave For Darfur By Bubacarr K. Sowe In what it called a rotation of its troops in Darfur, The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has last Saturday and Tuesday sent a total of 196 troops and 20 military observers to Sudan. Lieutenant Lamin Gano, Spokesman for GAF told FOROYAA on Monday that The Gambia is maintaining a contingent of 196 troops and 20 military observers as part of the African Union Peace Keeping Mission in Darfur. “The first batch, consisting of 106 troops left on Saturday morning and another 106 returned to The Gambia on that evening. On Tuesday the second batch of 110 troops left and another 110 troops returned,” Lt. Gano said. This is the fourth contingent from The Gambia. The first was deployed in December 2005. Court Recommends Pardon For Convicts By Bubacarr K. Sowe Assan Jobe (alias Dirika) and Matarr Faal were on Thursday found guilty by the High court for the murder of a businessman in 1996. Justice Monageng ruled that the perpetrators were juveniles at the time of committing the crime, therefore, lesser punishment is necessary for them. She also said that both Assan and Matarr have already spent ten years in detention and that has to be incorporated to the sentence. Justice Monageng also indicated that the accused persons’ file will be forwarded to the Secretary of State to be recommended for pardon. The counsel for the first accused, L.K. Mboge, submitted that Assan has manifested that he will not break the law again. He also urged the court to consider the youthful age of Assan, who has a long way to go. “During his detention, he has studied the Holy Qur’an, a manifestation of change and fear of God,” Mboge said. Lawyer Riley who appeared for the second accused person, asked the court to show mercy on them. He said that they are going unmarried, first offenders and have shown remorse. 29 Admitted For Food Poisoning By Amie Sanneh Reports reaching this paper have it that 29 people were on Monday 4th December, hospitalised at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) due to food poisoning. According to the source, these 29 were said to have bought food (fufu) from a vendor at the RVTH who has been selling at there for years without any unfortunate incident. The 29 included staff of the hospital, patients and other customers. The source added that those who ate the said fufu started vomiting and experiencing running stomach and were quickly rushed to the hospital for treatment. When contacted, the PRO of RVTH, Alh. Baboucarr Ngum confirmed the story. He said they confirmed that the unfortunate incident was due to food poisoning but they still do not know what was the cause of the food poisoning which they will find out. He said the 29 who were admitted on Monday 15 are staff of RVTH, 27 were already discharged on Tuesday and the two others were still hospitalised and responding to treatment. PRO Ngum, however, commendered the staff of RVTH for their timely intervention, without which, he said it would have been something else. The PRO said that at the RVTH they have a rule that states that nobody sells there without a hygiene certificate from the public health authorities. The public health authorities he said normally screen them to see if they are fit to sell food before being approved to sell there. He advises vendors to resist from selling left over food to the customers and that people should also know where they buy their food from. THEY ARE STILL BEING DETAINED Buba Mendy - Gambia National Army Buba Jammeh – Gambia National army Chief Ebrima Manneh – Journalist Baba Saho – NIA Musa Dibba – NIA Ngorr Secka – NIA Kemo Balajo – NIA Alieu Singhateh - NIA Abdoulie Kujabi – Former DG NIA Vincent Jatta – Former Chief of Defence Phoday Barry – NIA Abdoulie Jobe – Former NAWEC MD Lamin Sanneh – former Permanent Sec. Works Babucarr Jobarteh – Former Protocol Officer Karamo Jaiteh – Department of Works Ebou Seck – Department of Works Sarani Hydara – Department of Works Ansumana Fadera – Department of Works Momodou Senghore – Department of Works Kebba Faye – Department of Works Alhagie Bunda Leigh – Forestry Officer Muhammed Jaiteh – Forestry Officer Faburanma Sanyang – Forestry Officer Omar Sidibeh – Forestry Officer Pa Demba Jeng – Forestry Officer Master Tamba – Kudang Lower Basic To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask]