Gambian Government has approved the expansion of Banjul Port and the construction of a deep seaport at Sanyang village in the West Coast Region within two years.

In a press release, signed by Ebrima G. Sankareh – Government Spokesperson & Presidential Diaspora Adviser, the Gambian Government notes that the approved public private partnership (PPP) concession agreement seeks “to increase the handling capacity of the country’s only seaport and decongest terminals”.

In an effort to uphold transparency, government has disclosed the various parties to the said development projects.

“The PPP concessionaires are Albayrak and Negmar Consortium of Turkey with The Gambia Port Authority (GPA) serving as both a Guarantor and Shareholder in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Maritime Transport Business Services (MTBS) of Netherlands is the Transaction Adviser which assisted the Government in the bidding process through the PPP Technical Evaluation Committee comprising representatives from OP, GPA, GPPA, GRA, MOJ, MTWI, MOFEA, MOTIRIE, GIEPA and the PPP Directorate at the Finance & Economic Affairs Ministry.

“Albayrak and Negmar Consortium will be appointed as the Lead Arranger of the SPV Joint Venture (JV) with the responsibility for the construction of the facilities, while the other two Preferred Bidders, Red Sea Gateway Terminals of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yilport of Turkey, would hold equity in the SPV, to leverage on their respective competencies and investment opportunities,” the press release explains.

According to the President Adama Barrow led government, “the PPP arrangement is expected to address the need for sustainable management and operations of The Gambia’s port facilities given the climate risks associated with sea-level rise, perennial dredging required due to increased sedimentation in Banjul and the limited capacity for expansion and congestion in the capital city.”

Giving the span of the projects and time they will practically commence, the release discloses that, “the construction of the Deep Seaport in Sanyang and the expansion of the Banjul Port are to run concurrently and be concluded within 24 months (2 years). Once the identified lead PPP concessionaire commits to the Award instruments, work will begin in earnest”.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Following reports of the Niger Junta attempting to charge ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on high treason, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the attempt in a press release dated August 14, 2023.

The West African bloc, having previously considered the possibility of military intervention to reinstate President Bazoum, described the move by the junta as an indication of their lack of willingness to restore constitutional order.

“ECOWAS has learned with stupefaction attempts to bring charges of high treason against HE. Mohamed BAZOUM, President of the Republic of Niger… ECOWAS condemns this move as it represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means,” the press release stated.

Despite increasing public support for the junta in and outside Niger, ECOWAS maintains that President BAZOUM remains the democratically-elected President of the Republic of Niger, as recognized by ECOWAS and the international community.

The West African bloc further condemns Bazoum’s “illegal detention” and calls for his immediate release and reinstatement.

By: Alieu Jallow

Mamudou Jallow, 24, from Tanji, attempted to migrate to Spain in 2020 by buying a boat. However, after 15 days and nights, they landed in Morocco where they were intercepted and deported to Mauritania. Jallow was imprisoned for two days before finally being repatriated to The Gambia through the Gambian embassy in Mauritania.

In 2019, at least 62 young Gambians died when their boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania while attempting to reach Spain. Despite the risks and fatalities, the Central Mediterranean route to Europe remains the primary entry point for irregular migrants from Africa.

According to Jallow, he felt compelled and challenged by limited opportunities and economic hardship his family faced as the firstborn.

“I work at the seaside to make ends meet for my ageing parents. However, the lack of fishing boats for the youth in Tanji is forcing me and many others to embark on the journey,” he said.

Amid government’s slow response to addressing youth unemployment and economic hardship, Mamudou remains determined to embark on the perilous journey once more.

“Having spent D45,000 in 2020 and couldn’t make it to Spain, I am still determined to embark on the journey once the opportunity prevails itself because here, we work on Senegalese fishing boats, therefore, confining us to when our services are needed”.

This irregular migration pattern from Gambia reflects lack of economic opportunities and a mindset that Europe is the promised land to eradicate poverty. Lucky ones send remittances and upgrade status quo.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded more than 22,400 migrant deaths between 2000 and 2014. The number of such deaths has been increasing between 2014 and 2019, with more than 19,157 migrant deaths in the Mediterranean.

It is not very surprising that in a country where economic opportunities are missing, and poverty is widespread, potential irregular migrants are willing to accept substantial risk of death.

In this interview, Mamudou is discussed as a potential migrant. However, many of his peers at the Tanji seaside are also likely to make the risky journey to Italy or Malta via Libya, Algeria, or Tunisia in due time.

By: Dawda Baldeh

As part of their three months pilot project dubbed “Innovate to Combat Irregular Migration”, the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) has earlier today, August 14, 2023, engaged media practitioners on how they can help in combating irregular migration.

The day-long workshop convened media workers from various outlets to discuss the underlying reasons for irregular migration and offer recommendations to the academy for addressing the issue.

Mustapha Ceesay, the Project Coordinator, underscored the significance of engagement with the media as part of the project component. He said the media and related fields have a key role in combating irregular migration.

The three-month project aims to combat irregular migration by providing MAJaC with first-hand information and training suggestions from CSOs, migration organizations, NGOs, and international organizations.

Officials said they plan to engage youth and media for a comprehensive three-year project promoting youth and citizen participation in change-making, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

They said the objective is to find out how innovative training programs can help address the causes of irregular migration which include poverty, unemployment, and low salary scale among others.

“Irregular migration is an issue that needs to be addressed as a lot of people have travelled and some are media workers.

“The project has skill development training for media-related fields in film and photography, videography, communication. With these skills, people can be self-employed.

“People can set up their communication consultant companies and get paid by doing consultancy for others,” Ceesay told journalists.

He revealed that young people in the media and related fields need to be empowered to change the status quo. Mr. Ceesay added that the project will help equip journalists and media-related fields with knowledge and skills to be self-employed in the areas of film, photography, and communication.

He believes with such skills people don’t need to embark on irregular migration because they can employ themselves.

At the end of the project, MAJaC and partners are expected to come up with a proposal with information gathered to develop a document and seek approval for a project that will run for three years.

Participants, Paul Steven Priererra and Seedy B. Kanyi, commended MAJaC and partners for coming up with such an initiative, saying it will help people to understand the risk involved in embarking on irregular migration.

They described training journalists on migration issues will help them in their daily reporting. Paul suggested that MAJaC engage other government institutions and migrant returnees to share their stories to help portray migration in a better way.

Paul further urged the government to support the project and create employment for the young people who often embark on the irregular migration route.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Scores of women vendors in the Brikama market have complained about slow sales due to stagnant rainwater, despite the Brikama Area Council’s recent support in draining water from the market.

Due to stagnant water during rainy seasons, vegetables and food sold by vendors at the Brikama market have raised health concerns. Women vendors, who rely on sales to support their families, have been affected.

Fatou Fofana, a 57-year-old cassava seller in Brikama market, expressed that the stagnant water around her stall has negatively impacted her business. She acknowledged that the stagnant water is unhealthy, but she has no other place to sell her products.

“This water here has impacted my business. Whenever it rains, it alters my business. Most of the time, I will not even get half of my normal income. Some customers will prefer others because where I sell, the place is full of stagnant water and that is not healthy for me and even the cassava that I sell,” Mrs. Fofana told The Fatu Network.

She added that she depends on cassava selling to take care of family affairs.

Fatou Drammeh, who lives in Farato, goes to the Brikama market at the break of dawn every day to sell bitter tomatoes. She has a place just near the bus stop at the entrance of the Brikama market around the fish market.

According to her, stagnant rainwater mixed with dirty water from the fish market attracted ants, which harmed their businesses last year.

Despite complaining of low sales due to stagnant rainwater, she said the market has received help from the Brikama Area Council which sporadically sends trucks to drain the water.

“Our business is not working. You see these waters; they are preventing customers from coming to buy from us. This is a challenge, but this year is better because the Area Council comes time to time to drain the water.

“But still, you can see the water. Nobody is coming to buy from me,” she lamented.

Mrs. Drammeh further explained that she has no other place to go and sell, so she has to sit in that stagnant water and try her luck.

Binta Ceesay, a vendor who sells onions and garlic, called on the Brikama Area Council to double their efforts in helping them fix the market because they pay tax (duty) every day to the council.

The Fatu Network attempted to contact the market manager of Brikama Area Council for comments, but he was unavailable at the time.

By: Alieu Jallow

Victims of the 2022 Mandinaring oil spill have accused authorities of disregarding and failing to compensate them for the significant damages incurred.

In May 2022, a pipeline rupture caused the main fuel depot in Mandinaring, Kombo North, in The Gambia, to spill over 70 metric tonnes of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) into the river and surrounding areas. The spill spread across the riverbanks of the Gambia and reached as far as Pirang in the Kombo East district.

Even with the implementation of modern safety regulations, the depot remains a source of danger for nearby residents, particularly children. The dangers include ground-level ozone from gasoline fumes and potential groundwater contamination from petroleum products leaking into the soil.

The coastal village of Mandinaring is a vital economic hub and a breeding ground for numerous fish species. Banjul’s fuel storage capacity is limited, which led the government to establish new fuel storage in the village on May 24th, 2008.

Alasan Pam, a fisherman and victim, expressed his frustration over the lack of support and protection from those who are supposed to provide it. He stated that these individuals are suppressing and destroying their property without compensation. Mr. Pam also mentioned that he and other fishermen had a meeting with Gam Petroleum to discuss compensation for the damages, but unfortunately, the meeting was unsuccessful.

Alluding to what his colleague Alasan revealed, Mamadou Pam explained that for a week they were unable to access their fishing boat and materials due to the toxic and flammable nature of the water. This made life unbearable for their poor families, as their survival depended on how much catch they could get from the river.

Mustapha Ceesay, an elderly man, mentioned how inhaling spills’ scent can lead to respiratory diseases, forcing them to get checkups.

Mr Ceesay further revealed that providing for their family was extremely challenging during the spills and clean-ups.

“In the past, one [fishing] net used to catch up to 10 kilos of scrimps, but now 7 [fishing] nets combined can’t catch such a quantity,” Ceesay said.

Musa Pam emphasized that they are tax-compliant and pay their yearly dues to the maritime department. However, they have never received any government support and allege being used as a tool to gather funds, saying: “Government failed to turn up since the last visit”.

Isatou Secka, a fishmonger, spoke on behalf of women affected by the oil spills. She explained how the oil spills rendered many husbands unable to provide for their families, causing women to take on unfamiliar work.

“We are forced to leave our houses at around 5 a.m. and head to Tanji or Banjul to get fish to sell and later return home to head to our vegetable gardens,” Secka said.

In the far north along the riverbank, women oyster farmers in Kubuneh are being forced to abandon their only source of income due to riverbank spills.

Jariatou Gibba decried of challenges meeting family demands and paying their children’s school fees.

“Our oysters smell and [get] sticky and [they] can’t last for two days, thus [we] find it hard to sell in the market in order to pay our children’s school fees,” she said.

Many women echoed the same sentiment, calling for support from authorities and philanthropists due to the devastating impact of oil spills on their lives and livelihoods.

The Fatu Network could not reach both the Petroleum Ministry and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for comments.

By: Alagie Cherno Suwareh

The Kafuta-born Brikama-based chef is a multiple award-winning Chef. Saikou Bojang, famously known as Chef Bojang, has been re-elected, owing to his competency, as President of the West African Chef Alliance. The revered chef was also honored and named Director of the Africa Chefs Alliance – a multinational organization uniting the chefs of Africa on a common platform as part of the bigger picture of chefs throughout the world. According to the organization, it “has been a collaborative forum and shared platform to facilitate the sharing of information, knowledge and expertise.”

Speaking to The Fatu Network from Lagos, Nigeria, the Chef said that he “felt honored, happy, and at the same time humbled” for these leadership responsibilities which were bestowed upon him within West Africa and Africa as a whole. It can be recalled that for years, Chef Bojang has served as President of the West African Chef Alliance with merit, helping grow its membership from 19 to 50 countries.

He highlighted that he will encourage new ideas and propose fresh approaches in the sub-region, while championing healthy indigenous heritage cuisines, and promoting our African (including regional) cuisines to reach global awareness.

He concluded by thanking The Gambia Tourism Board for helping secure team Gambia’s flight tickets to the ongoing Chef Competition in Lagos, Nigeria, where he is serving in the panel of judges. He also thanked The Fatu Network for publishing their journey, while advising us Gambians to come together and to embrace our healthy traditional dishes.