Brother Basil Jones, Thanks for the clarification. By the way, Gambia L, I must tell you that I have always enjoyed reading Basil Jones' insightful articles on business and economics issues, since he was writing for us (The Daily Observer) a few years ago. Well, Mr Jones, you said that it was not fair for me to compare the Gambia and the developing countries, but I can tell you that according to the indicators I have seen, The Gambia is still lacking far behind in a number of sectors, even if you compare it with the rest of Africa. Nonetheless, I have taken note of your advice. Anyway, I have decided - if I am less busy one of these days - to do another piece on the Gambian economy. In this piece, I'll cite the major constraints, risk and challenges facing the Gambian economy in the 21st century; but be rest assured that I'll incorporate your concerns, or the valuable points you raised, next time I am doing a piece on the economy. Meanwhile, below is a reaction to my piece, sent to me in private, by a concerned Gambian. I have decided to delete the name of the person because, as I said earlier, the reaction was sent in private. Ebrima Ceesay, Birmingham, UK. >To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: Jammeh's first 5 years in Office(Part 1 ) >Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 06:37:30 -0800 > >Dear Ebrima, >I have read your Part1 contribution on the G-L and I have the following >comments/observations:- >The Economy- I appreciate the fact that you have highlighted the >significant >progress made on this front as depicted by the economic indicators. >Although the target of 4.0 per cent was exceeded by 0.5 per cent, the >overall deficit seems to be under control and should register further >decline in fiscal '99. Maintenance of fiscal discipline is a must if >further progress is to be registered. Increase debt burden is of concern >and prudence must be exercised in contracting future loans. The policy to >limit Gambia to grants and concessional loans ( excluding private sector >and >commercially-oriented public sector projects) has been in place since the >ERP in 1985/86. Your piece seems to imply that the policy is a recent >development. On the size of the debt, although there has been a significant >increased registered during the past 5 years, the figures are comparatively >better than most on the continent giving rise to Gambia's ineligibility for >debt relief under the HIPC Initiative. May I quickly add that I am not >advocating for fiscal indiscipline. Govt. must continue to select >appropriate projects; defined as those that will successfully address the >issues of poverty, employment, gender etc. >POVERTY- The figures you have quoted are current and I have no queries. >However, as I indicated before, unless the annual rate of growth of our >population is brought below the GDP growth rate, the poverty indicators >will >continue to worsen. >HEALTH- Primary Health Care should continue to be the strategy for the >sector as opposed to building Referral Hospitals. >ENVIRONMENT- The cause or causes of coastal erosion are not yet >scientifically known. It is suspected that sand mining is a contributing >factor but the jury is not yet out on this very complex matter. The entire >West Coast of Africa is currently plagued with the problem. This is just a >matter of precision. >TELECOM.,ENERGY & TRANSPORT- Energy cost is one of the highest in the WORLD >not just the sub-region. The problem? Outdated transmission and >distribution system. How can you loose 35-40 per cent of the power >generated before it reaches the households and expect to break-even without >passing on the cost to consumers. The T&D must be addressed simultaneously >with any increase in the generating capacity at NAWEC. >Please excuse my typing and sorry for the rush in reacting to your >contribution. I can afford the rush since this a private message to you. >Thanks and I look forward to the reaction to your piece from the G-L >membership. > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------