Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue Issue No. 016/2007, 9-11 February, 2007 Editorial WHO CHOSE THE SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT OR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY? Separation Of Powers Is The Casualty If one were to ask The Gambian people who selected the Speaker of the National Assembly many would indicate that it is President Jammeh who did the selection as announced over GRTS. The actual constitutional position however is that, it is the National Assembly who should elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Once new deputies are elected and the National Assembly convened for the 1st time, Section 93 Subsection (5) of the constitution states that “No business shall be transacted in the National Assembly other than the election of Speaker or Deputy Speaker when either of those offices is vacant.” Hence when the newly elected members to the National Assembly first met on Thursday 8th February 2007 their first task was to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker and then take their oath. The Chief Justice appeared precisely to preside at the election of Speaker. This is confirmed by Section 93 Subsection (2) of the constitution. It states that “the Chief Justice shall preside at the election of a Speaker.” The unfortunate thing about The Gambia is that before the National Assembly members met to elect a Speaker the announcement had already been made as to who the occupier of the seat would be. The members finally discovered that they were there just to endorse what had been announced. This is the dilemma of the National Assembly of The Gambia. It has been systematically accused of being under the grip of the Executive. Will it succeed in redeeming its image? The future will tell. Notwithstanding this what it should be is clearly stipulated in the Constitution. The preamble of the Constitution of the Republic states that “The functions of the arms of the government have been clearly defined, their independence amply secured with adequate checks and balances to ensure that they work harmoniously together toward our common good.” The Executive, the National Assembly and the Judiciary are expected to function as separate branches of the state. They should be independent of each other. The Gambia has a constituency system instead of a system based on proportional representation. Since all members are representing constituencies the constitution created the possibility of nominating people to parliament so that a Speaker and Deputy Speaker could be elected form the ranks of the nominated members. The issue of nominating members to the National Assembly should infact be a matter of National debate. It is a colonial legacy which was retained in the First Republic and is still retained in the Second Republic. While, it appears reasonable to have a Speaker and Deputy Speaker who are not representing constituencies, how nominated members are to be selected to prevent them from being partisan is of fundamental importance. In short, no executive should have the power to control 5 members of parliament which is equivalent to the representation of the whole of the Kanifing Administrative Area. Those who have retained this system of nominating members to parliament utilize it to involve federation of trade unions, federation of youth organisations, federation of women organisations, federation of employers organisations and other heads of professional associations. As we focus on the beginning of a new term for the National Assembly, the Executive should realise that the National Assembly is the oversight institution that should exercise scrutiny on how the Nation is managed. A state without a legislature that is empowered to criticize, scrutinize and restrain the executive to bar violation of the Constitution, misappropriation of public funds and general misconduct is a failed state. HALIFA INTERVIEWED ON THE QUESTION OF THE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES, THE UNOPPOSED SEATS AND THE RELEVANCE OF NADD Foroyaa: Can you explain what happened to many of the independent candidates NADD aimed to support and why they did not simply stand as NADD candidates? Halifa: NADD had the strategic objective of facilitating an elected majority of Non APRC members in the National Assembly. Initially, we had the motive to form a tactical alliance between NADD, the other opposition parties and independent candidates. However when this failed we decided to employ our tactics unilaterally. We therefore put up candidates where NADD committees meet and put up their choice. We gave support to independent candidates where it appeared that they could win. We tried not to put up candidates where they could spoil the chance of other opposition parties. Foroyaa: Why did you not condition the Independent Candidates to stand under a NADD platform? Halifa: No person could stand as a NADD candidate without being selected by a NADD constituency committee. Notwithstanding, we recognised that in The Gambia some vote for parties irrespective of candidates or for individuals irrespective of parties. Those individuals who could win without being under the umbrella of a party stood as Independent Candidates. Foroyaa: You initially mentioned 13 Independent Candidates but many did not complete the race. What happened? Halifa: Three were late in submitting their nomination papers, one fell short of the standards for qualification. Two were discouraged by the APRC election machine to continue. Two reconsidered their position and decided to support the opposition candidate in their constituencies. One withdrew to increase the chances of another Independent Candidate. Foroyaa: Which Independent Candidates survived? Halifa: The Independent Candidates for Jokadu, Niamina East, Serrekunda East, Kiang West. We also called our supporters to give support to the independent candidates for Kombo South and Niani. Foroyaa: How do you assess the success of your tactics? Halifa: It worked very well. In Niamina East the candidate lost by 185 votes. If UDP/NRP supported him he would have won. In Jokadu, the 600 votes acquired by the UDP Candidate if added to the votes of the Independent Candidate the later would have won. The same goes for Kombo South. If the votes of the UDP Candidate were added to that of the Independent Candidate he could have won. Hence it was only in two constituencies that the independent candidate did not get their deposits, that are in Serrekunda East and Kiang West. Foroyaa: How many votes do you need to get your deposit? Halifa: One has to have 20% of the votes cast for the elected candidate. Hence you can see that the elections were keenly contested Foroyaa: How did NADD perform? Halifa: Out of the five seats, we won Wuli West. In Sandu the APRC election machine was so destabilised that the Chief decided to break the windscreen of the vehicle of the NADD candidate. He is currently considering whether to proceed with legal action or result to administrative action to reprimand him. In Wuli East and Serrekunda Central, few people felt that NADD could lose. In short, in both constituencies people voted with their mouths and euphoria and not with real tokens. It was only in Central Baddibu that the result was not considerable. Foroyaa: Why did you put up a candidate? Halifa: The candidate was asked to review the situation. We in the executive felt that NADD did not have a reasonable base in Central Baddibu. We anticipated that at best the candidate will stand as an independent candidate. His committee wrote to suggest that he stand as a NADD candidate. Personally, I was very uncomfortable and had imagined that once the UDP come up with a candidate he would have withdrawn. I understand that what initially motivated the candidate is the information that the APRC had rejected the sitting MP who is from the same village. Anyway, we stuck up with the candidate up to the end. He has also gained new lessons in the politics of voting in The Gambia. Popularity does not easily transform into votes in The Gambia. Foroyaa: What about Serrekunda East? Halifa: We received information that in both Serrekunda East and Serrekunda West the sitting MPs were facing massive opposition but that the electorate were also not willing to shift their support to the UDP. Many people gave support by mouth to the independent candidate in Serrekunda East. Here again words did not translate into deeds. There is voter apathy everywhere. Something is needed to wake Gambians from their political slumber. Foroyaa: What is needed? Halifa: This is what the NADD Executive will soon take up to discuss. Other parties would have to do the same. This is a period for serious reflection. Foroyaa: Some people have been asking why the opposition did not put up candidates in Kantora and the other four unopposed constituencies in Foni? Halifa: NADD put up candidates in Wuli East, Wuli West and Sandu in the URD. We decided to leave Kantora, Tumana, Basse and Jimara to the UDP, NRP or Independent Candidates. We have a very strong activist by the name of Ansu Saho in Kantora. He could have at least stood as an Independent candidate. There was no consultation. We also did not get any application for the constituencies in Foni. Anyway, this is the last time that any constituency will ever go unopposed in the Gambia. Foroyaa: Is it because the opposition considers Foni to be APRC territory because of tribe? Halifa: Foni is inhabited by all the tribes you find in the Gambia. The fact that an Independent candidate could win in Foni confirms that no part of the Gambia is immune to change once the right candidates are found. Foroyaa: How do you see NADD’s performance. Does it have a future in Gambian politics? Halifa: We should draw lessons from the past. Just compare the results of the NADD candidates during the by elections in 2005 and that of the UDP, NRP and NADD candidates during this National Assembly elections. This confirms that NADD was the alternative. In short, in Nianija there was a by election in 2005. The same candidate who now stands for the NRP in 2007 stood for NADD in 2005. In the by election, he had 1554 votes but as NRP in 2007 he had 693 votes. In 2005 Hamat stood as NADD and had 2454 votes. However as an NRP candidate in 2007 he received 3298. In 2005 Kemeseng stood as NADD candidate and received 3444 votes. He won the seat. In 2007 he stood as UDP candidate and received 2760 votes. He lost the seat. In 2005, I stood as a NADD candidate and got 5911 votes. In 2007 I stood as NADD candidate and had 4302 votes while UDP had 1548. This confirms that the opposition had more to gain by remaining as NADD than splitting. Foroyaa: Now can you tell us what you expect of the opposition, in the new National Assembly? TO BE CONTINUED UDP CANDIDATE RELEASED By Bubacarr K. Sowe Alagie Fatty, the defeated UDP candidate for Serrekunda Central Constituency in the recent legislative elections has been released from police custody. Speaking to Foroyaa on Thursday, Fatty said he was released last week Friday after a three day detention at the Yundum Police Station. He also said that he was not charged and nothing happened to him. TREASON TRIAL DRAGS By Bubacarr K.Sowe The treason trial involving Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe, Omar Faal Keita and Demba Dem could not proceed on Wednesday at the High Court, as defence lawyers are out of town. The prosecution team, involving Mr. Umar and Mrs. Marie Saine Firdaus applied for an adjournment since their learned defence colleagues are in Basse, where the High Court is sitting this week. The prosecution told the trial judge, Justice Avril Anin-Yeboah that they understand that one of the accused persons Demba Dem was sick. Sergeant Colley, a Prison Warden told the court that Dem is currently receiving medical attention at the Central Prison at Mile Two. Justice Yeboah adjourned the trial to the 14th of February. The four accused persons are standing trial for their alleged role in the March 21 abortive coup plot. FATOUMATA JAHUMPA CEESAY ELECTED SPEAKER The newly elected National Assembly Members, on Thursday 8th February 2007, elected Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay as Speaker of the National Assembly and Abdoulie Bojang as Deputy Speaker. The Chief Justice, Abdoukarim Savage, indicated to Deputies that his role is to preside over the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker and then called on Members of the Assembly to make nominations. At this stage, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Member for Serrekunda East, proceeded to nominate Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay as Speaker. The member for Wuli West Hon. Sidia Jatta indicated that according to the standing orders, Section 2(3) “A member addressing himself or herself to the Chief Justice shall propose a Nominated Member to the Assembly then present for the position of Speaker or Deputy Speaker and move that (naming the nominated member) do take the chair of the Assembly as Speaker or Deputy Speaker.” The Chief Justice thanked Sidia for calling their attention to that. At this stage, Hon. Adama Cham seconded the nomination of Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay as Speaker. There was no other nomination and therefore the Chief Justice declared Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay as Speaker. As for the office of Deputy Speaker, Hon. Momodou Sellu Bah member for Basse, nominated Abdoulie Bojang as deputy speaker, seconded by Hon. Abdoulie Kanaji Jawla. There was no other nominee, therefore Hon. Abdoulie Bojang was declared Deputy Speaker. After the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, all the forty-eight elected members and five nominated members swore to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of The Gambia as by law established and that they will execute the function of members of the National Assembly without fear or favour, affection or ill-will according to the constitution and other laws of The Gambia. After thanking the president, the newly elected Speaker called on her colleagues from both sides of the house to put partisan politics aside and work together to move The Gambia forward. She pointed out that the new dispensation henceforth shall put emphasis on noble values, challenges, opportunities and shortcomings of the Honourable Assembly. “We are to put emphasis on taking stock of our own shortcomings as representatives of the people,” she said. Hon. FJC indicated that they will set, uphold, and cherish standards, ethics and privileges that are equitable, responsive and responsible enough for themselves. She said their in house codes of conduct and practice shall henceforth be second to none and they will firmly put in place mechanisms to regulate the conduct of Hon. Members in both their private and public capacities. FJC indicated that it is their collective resolve and believe that they will only have the moral authority to scrutinize and perform oversight role over public life, public service and public officers if they themselves are to live by good examples. HOME IS WHERE THE MUSIC IS This is a continuation of Ousman Sillah’s interview with the renowned Gambian International Music Promoter, Momodou Oko Drammeh. As Oko reminisces the past glory days of music in The Gambia, he was asked about how to revive Gambian music to become a force to be reckoned with. We hope readers are enjoying Oko’s account of “those days” which is so interesting and can have the effect of nostalgia in some of those who witnessed the period. We stopped at where Oko Drammeh was saying that the Radio and Television have the responsibility to set the tone for our collective national efforts and endeavours to revive Gambian music. Foroyaa: How can the Radio and Television set the tone? What do you mean? Oko Drammeh: The Radio and Television have to set the stage for the exposure of the talents, both educated and non-educated. With TV, the education of music and its familiarity and presentation of news flash items will integrate our artists in the economic and cultural prosperity. Through TV programmes, musical education for schools can be presented and contest, called ‘Talent Search’ could also be encouraged. TV should also encourage senior talents to take part in programmes whereby the nation will be involved in the voting and selection of the stars of tomorrow. The music that the Gambians listen to nowadays is coming from only one country which is the United States. That music talks about American life and culture and it goes along with violence, extreme abusive conditions and the manifestation of jail life in both image and outfit. This stereotype does not match the Gambian character of art and music. You see every society has a character and it is this character that defines your music and art. As Haile Selassie put it: “A people without culture is like a tree without roots”. And you know a tree without roots cannot bear fruits. This is exactly what I mean by imitation music. In American Rap music there is not much cultural expression and depth of history and empires, as well as, holy sites and sacred grounds. And yet they want to conduct the spiritual anthem of the planet. The fact that we consume too much of American news from CNN, MTV, VOA etc, does not necessarily mean that we have to change our music and our culture to replace them with theirs. Foroyaa: How can you fit in the Super Eagles in this wider cultural realm and amidst these external cultural influences? Oko Drammeh: the Super Eagles have been there before and that’s how they decided to call themselves the ‘Ifang Bond; meaning in Mandinka ‘Bring out your true self. The concern was to showcase or project our true cultural identity. The art of poetry writing and music making is an interesting subject and hobby that have transformed into art form music. Many Rap artists have carved out a lifestyle that is either backed by the record companies and fashion houses. It is the fashion icons who will endorse these artists and create these rap stars as daily items of consumption. The way you cannot deny the existence of Coca cola is the same way you cannot deny the existence of Rap music. Rap artist are identified, coached and projected within a framework of money that guarantee immediate success which is manipulated through Television. This is what makes success an illusion. Oko Drammeh: The question I was talking about is whether the music can be revived to spark in the society. I said that this is not possible unless this generation continues for at least ten or fifteen years. Because when Youssou Ndour started, the songs he used to sing like: “woy na la” or I sing about you is different from what he says about Nelson Mandela because he has a succession and had developed layers and layers of experience. He knows how to use the words, he knows how to be political, how to be diplomatic, and how to reach a diverse and wide spectrum of society with ease and discipline. So these are all that made his success formidable. He’s not just a voice, but through experience he can maneuver his way through the child, the woman, the man, the marabout, the bishop, etc. We do not have the foundation anymore for this. It was only Super Eagles, like I told you, when they used to travel abroad or would return from these trips when you see everybody standing in the streets welcoming or bidding them farewell. That was the time when they were singing “Ya Marie tagu negn la ah nyu nga wori rew” a farewell song. Every Gambian was involved and when they returned from England the whole town was out to either cheer up or be part of the, somewhat, caravan like procession. My own late mother could not even understand why I had to take my new dress and paint “Welcome Super Eagles Band” on it. Every child, every young woman was out even if they don’t understand the music that these great guys were playing. So you wanna tell me: can we bring this back again? Of course I can help bring this back again. I have the formula. I have been coached by the people who had this success. They taught me what they did; they taught me how they did it. Sadly, many of them died, but I am still left with some few people whom together we can do the trick! Badou Jobe, Seneme Taylor, Abdel Kabirr-Lie Ngrm, Musa Ngum, Bai Janha, Ousu Njie Senor, some, members of “ Maga Dan Band” are all here. These are professional musicians who can teach, who can bring back the glory in the music and take Gambian music to again ascend and reach the stage of international acclaim. But remember 1981 was the big turning point. Music was abandoned in The Gambia. Like I told you, when the coup d’etat occurred, youths were out in the streets jumping which made the authorities of the day to think that they were behind it. They arrested people like Pa Touray because he used to sing songs like “Prices are rising”. Infact, before this event, the Ifang Bondi used to sing songs that made the government very edgy and which led to the withdrawal of the land they gave them to build a recording studio at Tobacco road in Banjul. The government started to break up with the band which was not loyal to it. They were singing radical songs, freedom and Pan –Africanist songs, songs like ‘Change the System’ which, although, came very lately. They were in conflict with the police very often, because they say their attitude is this and that, that they smoke explicit substances, and stuff like that. They would be arrested here and there that would evoke public outcry. Hence 1981 marked the crackdown. They stopped the music and even the football. The bars, discos and night clubs were all closed. My disco at ‘Tropical’ called the ‘Japala’ was even damaged by the police and I was locked in jail ha ha ha——I was locked in jail with Nyang’a Sallah, a famous footballer, who was with me the night before playing DJ at my discoteque. Unfortunately, he died in jail together with many of my friends. I was even announced dead but fortunately, I survived. But when I came out from jail I saw that everybody scattered, but we did not call it running away. We made a retreat. Guelewarr went to Ivory Coast with Bai Janha there and they took Albert along. Ifang Bondi didn’t have much money then so only four of them could escape at one time. They came to Holland with me and I continued my management. Very sincerely and humbly they started to direct me again, their Manager, by telling me: ‘Oko do this, Oko do that!’ so they directed me to do a festival like the ‘Hawarehs’ or Evening Jams that I used to organise back in The Gambia at the Tropical Night Club. They told me to bring back the ‘Hawareh’ again. So I brought back the ‘Hawareh’ but this time round it was on an international level. I brought Manu Dibango, the biggest African star. Later Alpha Blondy, Lucky Dube, Mory Kanteh, all these stars are my friends, and have all been part of these festivals. I am the only African in the music world who organises professional African music festivals and I can organise them cheap with quality and extensive media coverage. I was the first one who invited Youssou Ndour to perform in the paradis which is the biggest concert hall in Holland. Paradis is where Leg Zaplia and the Rolling Stones play when to come to Amsterdam. I took Youssou Ndour there, wow! From there he went to England where he got connected straight with Peter Gabriel. This is all my connection. Now during the rebellion, Pa Touray and myself were locked up in jail and this made him so distraught as he felt humiliated. We were charged with treason but later pardoned by former president Jawara and were released the same day. After the release, I realised that I have to use Ifang Bondi as my job because I almost lost my life in it and I believed what they stood for. They were almost the newspaper of the ghetto. They were loved by people who have no jobs, loved by all ethnic groups because they played in every major town and had songs in all the major languages in the country. Infact, Banjul was difficult for them as they lost their land and houses. We all moved out of Banjul except Paps Touray. People may recall the ‘Kaylebase Kunda’, the ‘Nyepeto Kunda,’ in Bakau. In those glory days, the Ifang Bondi used to fill stadiums in Senegal. At one time we played for the ‘Armee’ National du Senegal’ or Senegalese National Army. They came to collect us with a Bus from Barra and escorted to Dakar. Interestingly, the Army colonel came and say: I want to know the members of the band who smoke weed! we didn’t know that he had something for us because he told us nothing. We thought that he wanted to trap us. So we told him ‘we never heard this word’, we told him ‘we are all Muslims’. Ha ha ha.. I saw Paps Touray with his heavy voice” No, we don’t know that’, You know his voice. Then the officer told us that I am just telling you this because we’ve brought something for you so that you’ll not be going around town looking for it”. He said “then I’m sitting in front of the bus, now if you need it let me know’ (laughter)We were sitting on the bus to Dakar but I know they’ll ask him, they are brave. We were sitting, we were sitting going to Dakar and as soon as we got near to Dakar, Pa Njie Base intervened and perfected the story. He said “Commissaire, I do smoke that but only when I mixed it with cigarette” . The officer understood but kept silent. Later Paps, you know he was dignified, chipped in and said, “yeah, with cigarettes, with cigarettes”. (laughter). Our Success was held at bay by the 1981 events as Pa Njie ‘bass’ was gunned down and few years later Ali Warb ‘Alberr’ was dead. But with all these setbacks, the individual successes they achieved were so high that one of them Malang Gassama, the drummer, was in Hollywood. Malando did not only play with ABBA but with Rolling Stones and Aljaru, as well. He was more known with the famous Jazz Artist, Aljaru. Paps Touray’s compositions with the Sotokoto Band were also widely acclaimed. Sotokoto hires the top musicians in Hollywood because its partners are rich people and are always there to support because they love Gambian music. We are even planning something for the next year. I’ve just stopped recording for the moment because I am busy with other things. I just stopped doing the heavy things to be successful. Now I’m tired of seeing success. I’m more relaxed now and down to earth and trying to experience the details which were missed when one is growing fast. I said there is no place in the world than where one was born. Foroyaa: Do you know how the Super Eagles learned playing this imitation music? Oko Drammeh: Super Eagles was formed playing musical skills and chords like the European Pop artists. You remember Gambia was a British colony and the Ocean going vessel called Apapa used to come from London to the West African colony ports of Bathurst, Freetown, Accra Lagos and back. So this made The Gambia as the first and last Port of call and we got all these music from the seamen. We also used to get the magazines called the ‘Fabulous 208’ or the’ Fab, ’ the books of the Beatles and also a group called the Monkeys. We would study and copy the songs and sell them to other people to make money. The knowledge of music education was here. The Banjul of those days was well organised. The tailors were thriving as the Super Eagles and their fans were always coming up new dress styles and outfits that match the times. Men treat there women partners with respect and dignity. There was real social harmony and cohesion. Follow us in our next Foroyaa issue for the last part of the interview. POLITICS INTERVIEW WITH SUWAIBOU TOURAY ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN WULI EAST By Musa Barrow The Candidate of the National Alliance for democracy and Development (NADD) in Wuli East in the just concluded National Assembly Elections, Mr. Suwaibou Touray has attributed his defeat to what he called ethnic sentiments orchestrated by his opponents during their campaign and not based on genuine national or local issues. Mr. Touray said he has polled far more votes than the APRC in all other areas but when it comes to Baja Kunda, he had noticed that all those who are opposed to the APRC did not vote at all and those who did voted for his opponent Bekai Camara who is himself a Serahule by ethnicity. Speaking to Foroyaa in an exclusive interview Mr. Touray pointed out that the central element in this ethnic message was the appeal for Serahules to either vote for a person from own ethnic group or abstain rather than vote for someone who is not one of them. Touray further added that although NADD had approached the Serahule communities and presented its programmes before them, that could not prevent them from voting the way they did. He cited an example by saying that in the largest Serahule village, Bajakunda, out of over 2600 registered votes NADD managed to score only 28 votes. Touray said Serahules who were opposition sympathisers told him they were threatened and warned to abstain from voting to avoid being ostracized in the Serahule community. This he opined, clearly reflected in Baja Kunda where out of over 2600 registered voters only a little over 1200 actually took part in the voting exercise. Touray went further to state that apart from the propagation of ethnic sentiments, intimidation and harassment were also employed during the campaign. He noted that the APRC’s campaign team threatened his supporters of arrest and the dismantting of public structures such as schools and boreholes during their rallies if they should lose the election. He also said that the APRC went on threatening the people of Sutukoba that they would block the philanthropists who are helping them with their rice field project if they do not vote for them. He also indicated that several Secretaries of State, notable among them SoS Edward Singhateh ,were on the campaign trail telling people that development will not come if they should vote for him(Touray) because government cannot work with the opposition. Touray also noted that the Chief embarked on a clandestine campaign characterised by threats, mainly directed at the Fula community that their herds would physically be counted one by one which would increase their annual cattle rates that they pay to the Area Council. This has an impact because it has been raised by the people on several occasions during the campaign. When it was put to Mr. Touray what methods his party utilised to counter this intimidation and threat based campaign employed by his opponents, Touray said his party, being an organisation that sensitise the people, continued to enlighten the electorate on their rights and responsibilities. This he said has been their tactic against disinformation. Asked what he had to offer the electorate of Wuli East, if he was elected; Suwaibou Touray said he had made it extremely clear that if he was given the mandate, he would have created a constituency fund for the people of Wuli East geared towards aiding development in the area. This proposed fund, he said, would have come from his salary as he promised to give out three thousand dalasis every month. However, Mr. Touray stressed that the setting up of this fund would have been utilized to help communities and could have enabled them to attract contributions even from NGOs to acquire e.g., Milling Machines, etc or to help the youth with sporting materials or any other development related undertaking. Asked about what he thinks would rid the electorate of the ethnic sentiments in politics Mr. Touray said this is not an easy task; that what is required is to undertake extensive civic education that will fully sensitise the people on the issues of sovereignty which helps them to make informed choice for competent, dedicated and committed representatives. Finally, he said ‘as long as opportunist politicians continue to miseducate the masses, the process of liberating the people to own themselves will have to be a protracted one’. GAMTEL’S RECENT POOR SERVICE DELIVERY: By Bijou Peters The article captioned’ Share up at GAMTEL, GAMCEL’ in the Daily Observer of Tuesday 9th January was appropriate and timely. A share up was necessary indeed because in the past few months since GAMTEL announced a change in their telecommunications system, the consumer has been greatly inconvenienced and dissatisfied by the poor service meted out to them. The article reported a complete change of the senior members of staff of the corporation. The termination of the services of so many staff members is an indication that these employees were not performing their work efficiently or conscientiously. This unsavory situation has created disappointment and despondency for the consumer, especially, as GAMTEL used to be one of the leading telecommunications companies in the country and within the sub-region and had been acclaimed the best telecommunications center in West Africa. We recall that the managerial sector has changed frequently in recent months and new managers appointed, a situation which does not auqur satisfactorily for progress or meaningful development for the company. What is more, the public is informed of some major financial mismanagement within the company which has caused GAMTEL the loss of a great deal of money to the tune of millions of dollars and Euros. These discrepancies are inexcusable and unacceptabl., They have resulted in all their recent dismissals of officers involved in these demeaning practise dealing with the finances of GAMTEL. In the past months the public has endured a number of shortcomings in GAMTEL’ s general performance which has affected most telephones and caused the public a great deal of difficulties and inconveniences resulting in numerous complaints from the consumer. These shortcomings include the following: 1. GAMTEL’s billing system has gone haywire and is chaotic, Bills are not distributed monthly or regularly as they should, they are accumulated for reasons unknown and then huge bills are distributed which many people are unable to pay and they risk disconnection of their telephones. 2. Telephones are adversely affected recently, causing the public no end of problems. Many people complain that they cannot make local calls easily. Telephone conversations have often been interrupted, both locally and internationally. The latter being disconcerting and infuriating, particularly when one is speaking to a loved one or a business partner overseas. 3. Overseas callers are known to be unable to get through to the Gambia and some have reported that several attempts have to be made before a call to the Gambia can come through, or the caller has had to give up calling in disgust. 4. The lines to Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, the U.K and U.S are generally bad and it is difficult or almost impossible to hear each others voice at the other end of the telephone line. Most people have experienced these shortcomings enumerated from time to time and we wonder whether GAMTEL is aware of all these discrepancies being endured by the consumer? The public is completely disenchanted by these inadequacies of GAMTEL. As for the billing system it has become chaotic. Urgent measures must be taken to deal with these grave problems of telecommunications molesting the consumer at the present time. ARMED ROBBERS HIT BRIKAMA By Modou Jonga Reports have it that six men armed with machetes, on Sunday 4th February, 2007 attacked and broke into shops located around the main Brikama Garage. According to sources, the six armed men came late in the night on the said date. It added that a watchman in the affected area fought with the armed robbers but he was subsequently overpowered. According to a victim of the armed robbery, one Muktarr Faal, a Mauritanian National, the armed robbers went away with cash amounting to D3,600 (Three Thousand Six hundred), four hundred CFA Franc and twenty rolls of cloth. “I was surprised to found the door of my shop broken in the morning with the watchman waiting,” lamented the Mauritanian businessman. He explained that before the arrival of the Police Intervention Unit to the scene, the robbers had disappeared. In a related incident earlier in January, another Mauritanian businessman Seedy Muhammed reported that the robbers made away with a cheque amounting to one thousand dalasi, ten thousand dalasi worth of commodities and a cell phone. The Mauritanian businessman expressed shock over such criminal acts and noted his fear for the spread of armed robbery in the country. According to the same businessman, another group of armed robbers also earlier on, in January, broke and entered into another one of their shops close to the Brikama Police Station. However, when contacted to shed light on the purported armed robbery, the officer commanding the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Western Region, Mr. Biran Salieu Jobe, directed this reporter to contact the police PRO. Meanwhile, an insider at the Brikama police station (name withheld) said investigation into the said armed robbery is at an advanced stage and stated that the robbers have made away with commodities, valuables and monies. 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