The United Democratic Party (UDP) Leader and Secretary General ANM Ousainu Darboe has congratulated the Mayor of Banjul Rohey Malick Lowe on her election as president of REFELA the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa.

“On behalf of the National Executive Committee, the Central Committee and all members of the UDP and indeed on my behalf I wish to express my heartiest felicitations to Rohey Malick Lowe, the mayor of Banjul, the Capital city of the Gambia for her election as the President of REFELA. This is not the first time that the Mayor of Banjul has garnered global recognition for her work and formidable leadership qualities,” Ousainou Darboe wrote.

He further noted that as a political movement they are extremely proud of the Mayor’s many accomplishments at home and abroad and believes that this newest accolade for the Mayor of Banjul is a fitting tribute to Gambian women leaders.

“Therefore this wonderful news is extended to the former Vice Presidents: Her Excellency Mrs Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang & Her Excellency Dr Isatou Touray. In the same vein, the happy news is extended to His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the Government of the Gambia.”

By: Dawda Baldeh

Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has disclosed that they collected Twelve Billion Dalasi in 2021.

Speaking to The Fatu Network at a tax compliance engagement with stakeholders at Metzy Hotel in Kololi, Mr. Darboe said that Gambia is a tax-based economy where government relies heavily on internally generated revenue for implementing national development projects.

He said GRA has made significant improvements and progress over the years.

“The annual revenue collected was not more than Two Hundred Million Dalasis (D200, 000,000) per year. But now, it is different. We collected over D12bn for government in 2021,” he disclosed.

He reiterated that GRA is committed to enhancing revenue collection for national development while urging business operators to register their businesses.

“We all know that the country is a tax-based economy. We know what is happening in the country. As such, we try to make our taxpayers our friends.”

“We work with them in terms of tax obligations. We could’ve closed businesses for not paying taxes on time but GRA is doing its utmost in terms of tax obligations. Even if you have tax liability of millions, GRA will work with you in terms of payment plans until you complete your tax arrears.”

Commissioner Darboe noted that tax collection remains their top priority, adding that GRA also organizes annual “taxpayers award” to recognize the efforts of the compliant taxpayers.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Elections Watch Committee (EWC) has disclosed that there was no major incident reported during the voting and counting processes in the recently conducted counsellorship by-elections in KMC and West Coast Regions.

The EWC made the disclosure at a press conference held at its head office in Kanifing on Monday 16^th May 2022 to update the media on their preliminary findings pertaining the said elections.

EWC elections preliminary report also disclosed that campaigns were peaceful but however confirmed low voter turnout during polling. According to the reports, Gambians peacefully participated in the said by-elections with few minor challenges.

According to EWC, over fifty-nine trained and accredited observers were deployed across forty-nine polling stations to monitor the voting and counting processes. These include six mobile and fifty-three stationed observers.

Ndegen Jobe, Deputy Speaker of National Youths Parliament, confirmed that they observed low turnout during polling.

“The EWC has observed key aspects of this electoral process beginning with the campaign period and released its findings about the pre-election environment with corresponding  recommendations to election stakeholders. Our observers noted low presence of security personnel during campaigns and low sensitization of Covid-19 prevention messages. Our observers also confirmed that most polling stations opened on time.”

The committee has been monitoring various election processes in the country ranging from presidential, parliamentary and local council elections.

It reports that political parties and candidates conducted their campaigns without restrictions, but however confirmed low presence of security personnel in various polling stations.

“One of the challenges we still faced is the lack of proper communication from the Independent Electoral Commission. Sometimes, they do changes without informing us and our people will be deployed to certain places and later found out about the unannounced changes. This is still affecting us,” Momodou Juju Jallow, National Coordinator, National Youths Parliament explained.

The report indicated that low level of messaging and adherence to Covid-19 health and safety protocols during the campaign period as well as on polling day were not observed. However, it confirmed that all eligible voters were allowed to cast their votes.

The committee recommended for political parties and candidates to utilize the prescribed legal process to pursue any complains and to ensure that party agents are trained on election procedures and understand their role in observing election processes.

The IEC is also recommended to publicly provide polling stream level results in a machine-readable format in a timely manner as a measure of transparency. They also give similar recommendations to the media and security personnel on elections matters.

The Elections Watch Committee (EWC) seeks to facilitate well-coordinated and organized mechanisms election processes and reforms in The Gambia. The Committee also seeks to increase citizens’ participation in electoral processes, thereby promoting a transparent and accountable democratic system in the country.

The Election Watch Committee comprises Peace Ambassadors – The Gambia, National Youths Parliament and ACTIVISTA.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

A vocal and renowned youth activist in the Central River Region, Muhammed L. Saidykhan has said that the rural communities in the Gambia have been marginalised from the national awards staged by different institutions in the country in recognizing the efforts of different people in different sectors.

He said this as a group of young rural descendants begin preparations for the first-ever rural awards night in The Gambia.

“Rural Gambia has been marginalised for far too long especially in awards and in recognising the efforts of Gambians. Almost 90 per cent of awards in this country have marginalised the work of people in the rural Gambia”, he claimed.

Speaking to the Fatu Network, Saidykhan explained that young people and women in the rural parts of the Gambia are doing well in the national discourse on agriculture, sports and entrepreneurship. He outlined that there are lots of vulnerabilities in the youth folks in rural Gambia compared to those in urban areas.  He described the alleged marginalisation of rural people in national awards as unfair.

Saidykhan further argued that almost 90 per cent of those making waves in the national discussion are all from rural Gambia. He said women in rural Gambia are supplying markets in the urban areas with their products from gardens he rural Gambia.

Amidst the claimed marginalization of rural people in national awards organised by different groups, a group of young people in rural Gambia are bracing up for the first rural night awards in October this year.

Muhammed L. Saidykhan told the FatuNetwork that the composition of a group dubbed ‘working group’, are young people from the rural areas who are ready to organise the events in acknowledging the efforts of people in the rural areas contrary to national awards.

“The composition is brilliant. They are young people that you will see on the spectrum of national discourse in education and development”, he said.

He explained that this ‘working group’ will roll out their plans on the  24th of this month to start mobilising resources.

He added that everything will be done in rural settings.   According to him,  the awards will start from region 2 to 6.

Saidykhan further encouraged young people and women in the rural communities to continue delivering the goods.

He equally told TFN that they are not into any sort of competition with those in the urban areas but standing for justice and making the voices of rural people heard.

Six people have been reportedly wounded after Senegalese Forces, believed to be stationed in Cassamance, reportedly shot a military drone in The Gambian territory, The Fatu Network can authoritatively report.

The victims at the time of gathering the report were hospitalized at the Bwiam General Hospital in the Foni Kansala District of the West Coast Region receiving medical attention.

The Fatu Network has been reliably informed that the victims are from Jakin Village in the Foni Bintang District of the WCR.

Almameh Gibba, the National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala who was contacted for comments confirmed the development, saying: “All the six individuals are from Jikin village and they are currently being transported to Ndemban Clinic for further medical attention,” he said

Narrating how the incident happened, Gibba further added: “We understand that the boys were in the bush to fetch firewood when the Senegalese forces reportedly fired a drone which resulted to their injuries.”

“I have called my follow national assembly members in the entire Foni districts and we are going to the hospital to ascertain what went wrong.”

The spokesperson of The Gambia Armed Forces couldn’t be reached for comments at the time of going to press.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Police Commissioner in Brikama and Banjulinding Police stations has held a mediation meeting at the Banjulinding Police Station with all parties involved in the ‘Brikama-Gidda taxi fare increment saga’. The essence of the meeting is to discuss and resolve the ongoing crisis which started following an increase in transportation fare by taxi drivers plying the Brikama-Gidda route

In attendance was the Executive Committee of the Brikama-Gidda Taxi Garage, Chairman of the Gidda Village Development Committee, Community Women Leaders and representatives from the Gambia Transport Union.

For over one week, the taxi drivers plying the route to Gidda have either stopped plying the route or insisted passengers pay the new fee of 13 Dalasi. Others have even gone to the extent to embark only on town trips which are quite expensive.

Yesterday, this medium reported that negotiations between the people of Gidda Community in Brikama and the taxi drivers came to a standstill leaving commuters with no choice but to either trek or pay ‘town trips’.

At about noon today Tuesday 17th May 2022 negotiations continued.

According to the Public Relations Officer of Gidda Youths For Development the Commissioner of Police in Banjulinding and transport union representatives on the ground made it clear that all town taxi fares are D10.

However, speaking to TFN, the president of the ‘dalasi dalasi’ garage, Buba Jallow said that the Commissioner of Police said they (police) will not impose on the drivers what to do, meaning they are free to either have a change of mind or continue with their town-trips.

“They did not say it will be by force. It is left to us to accept the D10 as transport fare. But at our level, if the people of Gidda still insist that they will pay only D10, my drivers will insist that they will only go on town trips. However, if any driver wants to go by D10, that’s fine”, he told TFN.

He insisted that as drivers they will stand by their previous statement which was that people pay 13D or opt for a town trip. He advised the people of Gidda to pay D13 or continue facing the challenges they currently face.

He explained that the reason why they are insisting on the D13 is because Gidda is off the road, and it is not a smooth route for drivers.

This means that despite the intervention of the Police Commissioner and members of the transport union, the impasse is yet to be solved.

At the time this story was published taxi drivers at the Brikama Gidda Garage had not started plying the route for the normal fare f 10D.

Meanwhile, some drivers have threatened to abandon plying the route if the community continues to insist on paying 10D.

By: Christian Conteh

The country’s Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI) is organising a 3-day civil society organisation and stakeholder consultation on the victims’ bill. According to a joint statement from the institutions, the overarching objective of the consultation is to capture views and perspectives that will assist in the process of shaping the Victims’ Reparations Bill.

“The stakeholder consultations will be conducted in the Greater Banjul area by ABA-ROLI whilst regional consultations will be conducted by ICTJ. The outcomes of all these consultations will feed into a single report to contribute to the Bill,” the statement read.

The specific objectives of the consultations are to have an inclusive and participatory process that reflects and is responsive to victims’ needs, expectations and interests in the Bill and to ensure adequate representation from various regions across the Gambia which reflects the national and varied perspectives on victims’ reparations.

This comes at a time when The Gambia is going through a transitional justice process following 22 years of dictatorship. At the top of the transition, agenda is the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) amongst other transitional justice mechanisms.

It is expected that at this stage the government will act on the recommendations of the TRRC by taking steps in both the immediate and long-term to implement the TRRC recommendations, one of these being rolling out a comprehensive nationwide reparations program for victims of human rights violations during the previous Jammeh era.

The issues or areas that the consultation will cover include; but will not be limited to having a definition of a victim, clearly outlining the forms of reparations and criteria for designating victims, appreciating the harm of different categories of victims, having a clearly spelt out scope of the victims’ bill and sourcing views on the proposal to establish a successor body to the TRRC on reparations payments among others.

To create a safe space for participants and ensure effective participation, the consultations will take the form of focused groups. The groups will include; one on enforced disappearances & unlawful killings, sexual and gender-based violence, president’s alternative treatment program, witch-hunt exercise, torture, the April 10 and 11 student demonstrations and attack on religious, political and media freedoms.

It is expected that after the consultations a comprehensive report of recommendations and issues raised by victims and CSOs will inform the draft Bill.

By: Yorro Mballow 

Former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of The Gambia, Lang Tombong Tamba who happens to be a strong advocate for the home return of former Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, has in an audio said the former feared ruler has blown off his chance of returning to the country.

“Yahya Jammeh is the reason why he is still in exile. Fabakary Tombong Jatta and his executive went into an alliance with Adama Barrow so that when he (Adama Barrow) wins as President of The Gambia, he would open up for Jammeh to come back just like Jammeh did to Jawara. That was the terms of the agreement; but even before they finished negotiating, Jammeh came out to say he didn’t ask them to go into a coalition to the extent of causing a breakaway in the APRC.”

“This is why I don’t want to discuss this topic. We are all aware when he sent me to jail for doing nothing. For six years, I was in Mile 2 until when I was pardoned. I said I have forgiven all including him. This is why when Fabakary and team wanted to start negotiating with Barrow, I joined them to make sure that he returns to this country,” Tamba said.

He said when he was CDS, he served Jammeh to the best of his ability.

“I saved his life during the Ndure Cham coup attempt in 2006. If that coup had succeeded, we would not be talking about him today. Nobody likes Jammeh more than I do, and I will say it here that I played a significant role in 1994 to help Jammeh become president,” he expressed.

He said he doesn’t feel Jammeh wants to come back, saying that he might be comfortable in Equatorial Guinea.

“Those of you who are talking to Jammeh should tell him that he is no more the president and that he has no voice in this country. He should swallow that,” he concluded.

Erstwhile President Jammeh has been living in exile in Equatorial Guinea since he lost power in 2017.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Gambian international striker and erstwhile U20 goal poacher, Momodou Bojang has announced that he is fit and ready to represent the senior national team of the Gambia now.

Major, as fondly called, currently plays for the Portuguese side Famalicao in the Portuguese top division league.  The young star told the Fatu Network that he is ready to play for national team after almost a year in Portugal.

“I am hundred percent fit to play for the national team right now. I am ready to play and that’s my dream right now to put on the national team jersey for the Gambia senior team”, he voiced.

The 20-year-old former Brikama United striker scored six goals and assisted two in the Famalicao FC’s second team this season.

The nimble attacker asclared that since his arrival in Portugal from Rainbow Fc in The Gambia, his footballing style has changed and that has made him a better player that the Gambia national team will need.

” I can help the national team in many ways. I am a striker who always fights with defenders and I am good at scoring goals whenever it is needed most”, he told The Fatu Network.

Momodou is playing a week in and week out for Famalicao’s second team where he played 17 games so far. He told this medium that he is always working hard to get to the next level.

The 20-year-old striker scored six goals for the Gambia national U20 side including the WAFU tournament success in Senegal.

The Gambia National team is blessed with very many lethal attackers. However, Momodou Bojang is another option for head coach Tom Saintfeint who has Assan Ceesay, Musa Barrow, Steve Trawally, Badamosi, Dembo Darboe, Yusupha Njie and Babucarr Jobe as strikers.

Next month, the National team will begin their AFCON 2023 qualifies to Ivory Coast when they would host Sudan in Senegal on June 4.

By: Christian Conteh

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture has as of Monday 16^th May 2022 confirmed the death of 91 heads of cattle, 53 goats and 79 sheep bringing the total to 223 livestock.

The death of these animals follows the outbreak of Anthrax disease in Port Loko District in the North-Western Region of the country.

This was confirmed by Dr. Abu Bakarr Karim, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry at an emergency news conference held at Youyi Building, Brookfields in Freetown.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture I wish to take this opportunity to inform you of a confirmed case of Anthrax in the Port Loko District in the North-Western Region of the country,” Minister Abu Bakarr Karim said.

According to the minister, in Sierra Leone Anthrax falls under the category of re-emerging zoonotic (affects both animals and humans) diseases with the last reported outbreak in the country in 1994.

“The outbreak of Anthrax has so far been detected in the District of Port Loko to date a total of 91 heads of cattle, 53 goats and 79 sheep in Kamasondo and Gbakiloko,” he said.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus Anthracis. Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. Since it is zoonotic humans can also be infected.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health have under the one health platform encouraged Sierra Leoneans to report any sign of sick animals and urged everyone to avoid treating sick animals or eating their products.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

For one week, taxis in the Brikama ‘dalasi dalasi’ garage have stopped going to Gidda, a big and highly populated community in Brikama. This is in direct response to the new transport tariff increase. The few taxis who still make the journey do so on a ‘ town trip’ basis, leaving those who cannot afford a ‘town trip’ to trek through the long distance.

According to our sources the taxi drivers initially increased the fare to Gidda from the garage to D15, a tariff, the community protested against and described as unfair.

Speaking to the Fatu Network the Public Relations Officer of the Gidda Youths for Development, Foday Conteh, said the taxi drivers have to accept the D10 as a tariff or cease using the Gidda-Brikama route because the community cannot pay D15.

“At the level of the community, we have unanimously concluded that we are not going to pay D15 as fare. This is our stand and the Imam, Alkalo and the Ward Councillor are all in support of our stand.”

The Fatu Network understands that taxi drivers only go to Gidda on ‘Town trips’, which cost commuters D100 during the day and D150 to D200 at night.

According to Foday, the normal tariff should be D10. He asserted that before the new tariff, the fare was D8 but the drivers made it D100 based on their desire. This he says will not happen anymore.

Foday further said that they had a discussion with the taxi garage president and the Mobile traffic Units at the Brikama police station over the issue and all these people admitted to them that the fare is ten dalasis.

He alleged that it is only the community of Gidda who are asked to be paying D15 in the whole Brikama.

“The new tariff states that all town taxis are D10, It is only these drivers plying the Gidda route that made it D15.00 at their discretion,” he said.

However, when The Fatu Network reached out to the taxi garage, the president of the garage, Mr. Buba Jallow said the fare is not D15 but D13.

According to Jallow, it was D15 dalasi but they had reduced it to D13. However, the community of Gidda still insist that it should be D10, as a result, they stopped plying the route, he said

“We had a discussion with the Vice Chairman of Brikama Area Council. After the discussion, we reduced it to D13 and gave them two fares: taxis for D13 and vans for D10 but they still insist that it should be ten dalasis”, Jallow said.

He said that as long as the youth and the community of Gidda didn’t agree to that, his drivers would continue to take only town trips.

Meanwhile, the PRO of the Gidda Youths For Development has emphasised that the taxi drivers will either take a fare of 10D or stop plying the route as agreed at the community level.

Gambians anxiously await the release of the Government White Paper on the TRRC recommendations.

In the context of governance, White Paper is generally the position of government on recommendations made by an established commission of inquiry. There are two common patterns of White Papers. Government can either accept some of the recommendations or accept all of the recommendations, depending on its position on the said inquiry and its report.

The Gambia government recently disclosed that it will be releasing the long-awaited White Paper on Wednesday 25^th May 2022.

The announcement came after President Adama Barrow presided over a two-day cabinet session where the draft White Paper on recommendations of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC) report was reviewed.

Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow, later disclosed that the White Paper will be issued out on Wednesday 25th May 2022.

In December 2021, The Gambia government released the TRRC report. The TRRC was set up in 2017 to investigate human rights abuses during the Yahya Jammeh reign from July 1994 to December 2016.

The report implicates erstwhile president Yahya Jammeh, who now lives in exile in Guinea Bissau, in many extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations which occurred during his reign.

“I can assure you that the government is committed to implementing the report subject to the outcome of the white paper,” Dawda Jallow, the minister of Justice and Attorney General assured.

Gambians await to see the bold actions of government on the TRRC recommendations. One major question in the minds of many is whether the White Paper will accept and provide for the prosecution of ex-president Jammeh and other top officials implicated in the TRRC report.

Banjul, The Gambia – Karpowership Gambia, on Thursday 28th April 2022 signed a contract with The Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) for the extension of operations in the West African country.

According to the terms of the new contract, Karpowership will provide 30MW of power to The Gambia’s national grid from its Powership anchored off the coast of Banjul with Heavy Fuel Oil for first three years. In the signing ceremony Karpowership and NAWEC agreed to convert the operations to LNG-to-Power (generating power by utilizing Liquefied Natural Gas) before the end of the three years. If the terms of operating with LNG are more favorable to NAWEC and KPS, the contract will be extended for another 5 years with LNG and thereby meeting the requirements of the Government of The Gambia’s policy of using cleaner energy.

Following a Power Purchase Agreement with NAWEC, in February 2018 Karpowership began supplying 30 MW of power into the national grid for a period of two years. The intervention of Karpowership significantly helped stabilize the erratic power supply in the country warranting the contract’s renewal for an additional two years in 2020.

Emre Durmuşoğlu, Karpowership Africa Regional Director, said that Karpowership has a proven track record of supplying sustainable, clean, reliable, and affordable electricity with all its Powerships operations in 4 continents. He stated: “Karpowership supplies uninterrupted and reliable electricity at one of the lowest prices for thermal power generation. With our dual engines and hybrid operational capabilities, we will be able to switch our project in The Gambia to LNG-to-Power, utilizing natural gas, which produces far less carbon dioxide than its alternatives. We have been very proud to play our role in answering The Gambia’s electricity needs while creating employment opportunities.

About Karpowership

Karpowership is the only owner, operator and builder of the first Powership™️ (floating power plant) fleet in the world and plays an active role in medium to long-term investments with more than 2500 employees. Currently, Karpowership owns and operates 36 Powerships with an installed capacity of 6,000 MW. Karpowership is operational in 15 countries in 4 continents.

Karpowership is a socially responsible company committed to the development of communities in which they operate. With its operations in The Gambia, the company engages in social responsibility projects that supports the development of the communities as well as providing educational tools. As a strategic partner, Karpowership is committed to The Gambia’s development and will continue to provide all Gambians sustainable, reliable, clean and affordable electricity.

www.karpowership.com

For more information

Karen Kumbasar – Corporate Communication and Marketing Manager

Fatu Camara – Local Agent: [email protected]

Baba Sheriff Bojang – Local Agent: [email protected]

By: Dawda Baldeh

Kine Jeng Sallah has in a viral social media video revealed that over forty dead bodies are still left in refrigerated containers at the Edward Francis Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

According to her, some of the bodies have been kept in the mortuary for five years now. She revealed this after visiting the hospital’s mortuary with her team of advocates.

Madam Jeng Sallah said some of the bodies are unidentified while others are believed to be those missing during the former regime.

“This video is about the deplorable condition of the mortuary and bodies left in refrigerated containers for over five years now. Some are unidentified, some were those missing during the former regime, while others are believed to be from the December 30th incident. Authorities have still not granted them a befitting burial,” she said.

According to her, releasing the video is to ensure that people are aware of the terrible conditions in the mortuary.

She stated that people working in the mortuary are not safe. “When I visited the mortuary, I almost vomited. A man working at the mortuary told me that some dead bodies have been there for over five years.”

She further stated that some bodies are kept in boxes. “I am appealing to the Government and people out there to do anything possible to remedy the issue,” she reiterated.

Madam Jeng pointed out that death deserves dignity, adding that the environment should be protected. “Why do we still have over 40 bodies left in refrigerated containers for such a period? she asked, saying that such is unacceptable in a progressive society.

She emphasized that those responsible should be held to account. “How do we expect progress when we can’t even take care of the dead?”

She added that accountability is about taking responsibility, saying that those responsible should be held to account and if they fail then the Government should be blamed.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

“If I have the opportunity to go to Europe, football will be my priority”, words of a young Banker at Zenith Bank and an amazingly bright football star in the pinnacle of Gambian Football, Lamin Balajo, Brikama United’s Midfielder.

A rare breed in Gambian Football, the young star is changing the trend by keeping two things alive.  Football in the Gambia is not lucrative especially if you are playing for local teams in the country. Many had shunned the game as soon as they have better opportunities somewhere but Lamin is keeping it tight despite being a staff at Zenith bank with a very good university degree.

“I can’t depend on football in the Gambia so I have to do both”, he pointed out.

In 2014, Lamin Balajo, commonly known as Xavi, emerged in the Gambian football terrain at a very young age when he started playing for Bombada FC in the First Division of the Gambian Football League while he was going to the University of the Gambia as an accountancy student.

A talented student, Lamin, at a tender age embarked on seeking his dreams in football and glory in academics with a father who doesn’t fancy football. All that his father wanted is for the young man to get a good university and job that will better his life.  But Lamin, having passion and dreams in the game will balance the two. He will sneak out in the afternoon to go and play football and at the same time read his books. He will sometimes tell his father a different story anytime he needs to buy football boots.

“My dad didn’t like football he never encourage me to do football his priority is for me to get my degrees and have a good job. My family is not a family that supports football.  At some point as a young player, I needed someone to encourage me to buy football materials and always be there for me when I’m playing. And

Sometimes what I do to get a shoe is to tell my dad I’m going to buy books.  Immediately when I do that, he will give me some money then I will buy football shoes”.

Xavi told The Fatu Network.

The young star would make sure he scored good grades at Nustrat senior secondary school. Upon completing Nusrat in 2012, he got admission into the University of The Gambia to study accountancy. While chasing his bachelor’s degree, Lamin didn’t shun football, he continued playing football in the zenith of Gambia football from Bombada to Brikama United playing week in and week out.

“It was very hectic for me.  I had to school during the day and at night I had to study. But with this,   I told myself common xavi you can do it. This was what kept me going while I was doing my bachelor’s degree”.

Lamin began working at Zenith Bank in 2018. Having a good job, he didn’t surrender his dreams of football.  He still plays football and will not train with the team. He will train alone at night and will still be part of the Brikama United team week in and week out. The only time Balajo will train with the team, will be when he is on leave.  Till today, the Zenith bank young staff will train at night alone while his teammates will train in the morning, a rare instance in a game.

” it was not easy for me initially.

When I started working, it was very hectic. At some point, I wanted to quit but a few things keep me going:

my love for the game and the passion I have for football.

Most of the people who know me will advise me not to quit football because they see a brighter future ahead, especially my coach and some senior players in my team, so this thing keeps me going”. He revealed this to The Fatu Network when quizzed on how he balances banking and football.

Lamin’s passion for football and dreams of making a successful career in the game outweigh all his dreams.  For over five years, he will hardly train with his teammates but will be part of the team every week.

Lamin, with his degree in accountancy and staff at Zenith Bank, emphatically told this medium that when he has the chance to Europe, Football will be his utmost priority. He has the conviction that he can generate so much in football.

” I like football more than anything.

The passion I have for football is massive

And I believe I can get something out of it when I’m in Europe”,  he said.

Xavi, named after Spanish Football legend the current head coach of FC Barcelona, had been so influential in Modou Lamin Nyassi’s Brikama United.  Despite training alone, he has four goals contribution this season and remains an integral part of the Brikama United team.

Balajo’s brilliance in academics has followed him on the pitch as a creative midfielder.  To Xavi, working at the Bank is a decent job as wanted by his father but his biggest accomplishment will be by becoming a professional footballer. At age 21, he has a lot to offer and the potential of representing the Gambia in international football.

Karpowership Gambia, on Thursday 28th April 2022, signed a contract with The Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) for the extension of operations in the West African country for the next three years.

According to the terms of the new contract, Karpowership will provide 30MW of power to The Gambia’s national grid from its Powership anchored off the coast of Banjul. At the signing ceremony, Karpowership and NAWEC also agreed to convert the operations to LNG-to-Power (generating power by utilizing Liquefied Natural Gas) within the first three years.

Following a Power Purchase Agreement with NAWEC, in February 2018 Karpowership began supplying 30 MW of power into the national grid for a period of two years. The intervention of Karpowership significantly helped stabilize the erratic power supply in the country warranting the contract’s renewal for an additional two years in 2020.

Emre Durmuşoğlu, Karpowership Africa Regional Director, said that Karpowership has a proven track record of supplying sustainable, clean, reliable, and affordable electricity with all its Powerships operations in 4 continents. He stated: “Karpowership supplies uninterrupted and reliable electricity at one of the lowest prices for thermal power generation. With our dual engines and hybrid operational capabilities, we will be able to switch our project in The Gambia to LNG-to-Power, utilizing natural gas, which produces far less carbon dioxide than its alternatives. We have been very proud to play our role in answering The Gambia’s electricity needs while creating employment opportunities.

About Karpowership

Karpowership is the only owner, operator and builder of the first Powership™ (floating power plant) fleet in the world and plays an active role in medium to long-term investments with more than 2500 employees. Currently, Karpowership owns and operates 36 Powerships with an installed capacity of 6,000 MW. Karpowership is operational in 15 countries on 4 continents.

Karpowership is a socially responsible company committed to the development of communities in which they operate. With its operations in The Gambia, the company engages in social responsibility projects that support the development of the communities as well as providing educational tools. As a strategic partner, Karpowership is committed to The Gambia’s development and will continue to provide all Gambians with sustainable, reliable, clean and affordable electricity.

www.karpowership.com

For more information

Karen Kumbasar – Corporate Communication and Marketing Manager

Fatu Camara – Local Agent: [email protected]

Baba Sheriff Bojang – Local Agent: [email protected]

By: Christian Conteh

The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) has expressed its dismay at remarks by the president of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) indicating that the national broadcaster is incapable of providing coverage of the GFF league matches.

According to GRTS this statement by Mr. Lamin Kabba Bajo is totally and blatantly inaccurate.

This response came following a press conference the football federation held and a subsequent signing of a contract in which the football body appointed Eye Africa TV as its local broadcast partner for the airing of GFF Division 1 league matches. 

The GFF president accused GRTS of not actively covering the Division 1 league games. Responding to these accusations, the GRTS management said there is enough evidence on both GRTS online platforms and its archives to show that the national broadcaster has consistently covered and aired GFF football league games in its news bulletins on both TV and radio. 

“It is deeply regrettable that Mr. Bajo, without giving any specific evidence, ridiculed GRTS content packaging to justify the GFF’s decision to bypass the national broadcaster for coverage of important national activity,” the GRTS management said.

The GRTS statement further reiterated that there is enough evidence of the brilliant work that the GRTS sports team have and continues to do in terms of both radio and television coverage of the GFF Division 1 league matches and other sporting events in various parts of the country.

The U.S Senate has unanimously passed a resolution recognising the free, fair, and peaceful December 4, 2021, presidential and April 9, 2022, legislative elections in The Gambia.

The resolution also calls on the Gambian government to follow through on recent Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission recommendations.

“In December and again last month, the Gambian people showed the West African region and the world models of peaceful and fair elections after decades of troubling dictatorship,” said Durbin. “The country’s Truth Commission also bravely presented findings and recommendations for accountability from that troubling period.”

“The passage of this resolution reinforces the commitment of the United States to The Gambia’s historic democratic transition, especially the important milestone reached during the recent presidential election,” said Risch. “When democracy is under attack, and while several West African nations have faced unconstitutional power changes, The Gambia has demonstrated what is possible when institutions and citizens commit to governing themselves through core democratic principles.”

By Muhammed Lamin Drammeh 

Gambian international football star, Ebou Adams, after helping Forest Green Rovers to promotion to English League One, has joined Cardiff City Football Club from Forest Green Rovers FC on a three-year deal.

Cardiff City Fc plays in the English League Championship.

Below is the full statement from Forest Green Rovers FC after the Gambian completed his deal.

“The Club would like to wish fan favourite Ebou good luck with his next adventure.

Since signing for the Green Devils in the summer of 2019, he has made an immeasurable impact on the team, quickly winning over fans with his smart play and powerful performances.

“His energy and attitude have proven invaluable to Rovers over the last three seasons, receiving plaudits from opposition fans, players and managers.

Cardiff boss Steve Morison said: “Ebou’s going to bring athleticism and energy. He’s really good on the ball. He’s been a top, top player forb Forest Green for a number of years. I said I was going to change the dynamic of the group. I wanted to change what you see from the players characteristic wise and he fits the bill. t is the right time for him to step up to the Championship. It’s a big step for him, but he’s buzzing, we’re buzzing and we’re looking forward to seeing him out there. We’re really pleased to get it over the line.”

Having made over 100 appearances for Forest Green, midfielder Adams joins the 100 club alongside other FGR Legends. In that time he has scored nine goals for the team and it’s fitting that in his final season at the club he scored the winning goal in the opening game, at home to Sutton, and also the last match, away to Mansfield, to help us clinch the title.

“Ebou also represented The Gambia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, his country’s debut in the competition. He was a central part of the team that helped make history by reaching the last eight, before losing to hosts Cameroon.

“Throughout his time at the Forest Green, Ebou has been a credit to himself and the football club. He has achieved great things both personally and for the team. We wish him every success going forward, and he will always be welcome back at the New Lawn,” Richard Hughes, Director of football at Forest Green Rovers said.

By Sarjo Brito

The Office of the Inspector General of Police has on Friday May 13th 2022 issued a statement refuting allegations of a 100 Million Dalasis fraud scandal at the police headquarters involving IGP Sanyang. The response comes following a publication on an online platform dubbed ‘I Paid a Bribe’.

In a statement shared by Poliso Magazine, the Office of the IGP described the allegation as not only misleading but malicious.

‘’The attention of The Office of the Inspector General of Police has been drawn to a publication on a Facebook page with the profile name ‘ I Paid A Bribe’. However, the writer claimed that there was a huge scandal at the Police Headquarters, alleging The Inspector General of Police, Abdoulie Sanyang of being involved in a D100 million fraud further claiming that the IGP is planning to leave the country’’

‘’This allegation is not only misleading but malicious in all forms and those behind this blatant and unimaginable fabrications are hell-bent on tarnishing the image of our great IGP whose reputable character and loyalty to the Gambian people is unquestionable’’

While details about the alleged corruption are yet to be known, the office of the Inspector General of Police says IGP Sanyang since his appointment in 2021 has transformed The Gambia Police into one of the best within the subregion, thus describing the allegations as ‘calculated with smear intentions to hurt the reputable image of the IGP.

The online media platform ‘I Paid a Bribe’ has said details about the allegations will be available soon.