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Date: Fri, 03 Sep 1999 00:26:24 -0400
From: "Habib Ghanim, Sr" <[log in to unmask]>
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Thanks Brother  O B Sillah,..

You hit it right on the nail.
It is not only the customs officers that are the problem . Dishonest
businessmen are part of the problem. It takes two to tango.
I agree let us give this new entity a chance but please let us do it
gradually.
God bless you for such a positive attitude .
I am really proud that we have intellengent young people that are
capable to take over the reins of leadership.
Your words say a lot
please keep in touch and whenever you are in the Washington Dc area I
would like to meet you too.
Habib

Brother Habib,

Let me for a moment bet to defer with you on the supposed creation of a
Quality Control System, a means of checks and balances for both the
Customs
Department (Government) on one hand, and the Businessmen (Consumers) on
the
other.  I think to say the least, it is a bit naive from my point of
view
(correct me if I am wrong) to lay the blame squarely for the funds being

pilfered from import/export duties on the door steps of Custom
Officials.  I
made this deduction from your statement that Government should instead
employ
"HONEST" officers as if that will solve the problem on its own.  My
point is
this,  both the Businessmen and Custom Officers are into these frauds of

under-valuing these proforma invoice prices and altering the relevant
information as to quality and quantity to their advantage.  So as
envisaged
by Government in establishing BIVAC and until the contrary is proven, I
think
the raison d'etre sounds economically prudent, why not give it a shot.
Let
me also say at this point that, for a start the experience for all and
sundry
will be excruciating and this is no under statement, for we are moving
from
what we already know to the unknown and as usual half the time, human
beings
in general and Gambians in particular are hesitant to boldly and
decisively
accept change until the benefits start dripping in.  All I am saying is,
give
it a try and see, if it did not work or bear the desired fruits we can
always
go back to the former system. For, if not for anything else, it is these

flexibility, agility and adaptability which are few uncompromising
beauties
and good qualities of being Human.  It is worth reiterating here that
this is
a layman's analysis and it may not necessarily hold grounds.

As to the start date of operation, this I think will take effect on
October
1st, 1999; which coming to your question about grace period would lend
us
sometime to get prepared.

To conclude, thanks as always for this thought provoking topic, one
thing is
manifestly clear now a days, the ego of liberty, popular participation
and
freedom of expression are spreading their proud wings and tentacles over
the
people of Gambia.  Therefore, take it or leave it, this is very
fundamental/crucial to the success of our Government back home.

God bless us all in this struggle.

Au voire,
OB.