By Fatou Camara II

EU ambassador Attila LaJos has reacted to the rejection of a bill around the draft constitution branding the decision as ‘premature’.

“It’s a very sobering moment to see that a premature decision was made at the National Assembly not allowing the draft to be further go through the parliamentary scrutiny and eventually put to referendum for the Gambian people to decide,” Mr LaJos told Eye Africa Monday.

The diplomat quickly added: “Happen what happened, this democracy in in practice, the event very much look forward to hearing how the Gambia government as to what is the way forward, how they envisage promoting the ambitious reforms agenda.”

The diplomat speaking on their failed attempt to meet President Barrow said they wanted to meet the president to convey their joint call for MPs to rallying round the draft constitution and pass it.

President Adama Barrow has told the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly unemployment is increasing in the country as he called for continued external support.

“Small and developing nations have been struggling to manage their debt burdens, while trying to develop their economies. The outbreak of the pandemic has reversed our gains, with low revenue earnings and high public expenditure becoming the norm,” the president said in his speech last week.

He added: “The Gambia’s economy has shrunk to 2% of GDP, and it continues to contract. Our tourism sector, which is a major employer and foreign exchange earner, is devastated, and unemployment is increasing rapidly.

“In this complex situation, my Government has, with the support of partners, instituted social protection programmes to ease the adverse impact on our people. These interventions are not sustainable without external support.

“Implementation of our National Development Plan, 2018-2021 has been hampered by the pandemic. As the UN Decade of Action for the implementation of Agenda 2030 has been undermined by the outbreak of the pandemic, it is essential and most urgent to accelerate the implementation of our global commitments on Financing for Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.”

Gambia Moral Congress has responded to People’s Progressive Party by insisting its PPP that instead owes its leader Mai Fatty and apology.

PPP slammed the GMC leader over comments regarding the ‘NO’ vote of one of its MPs on the draft constitution.

GMC has now responded saying in a statement signed by Bubacar Jaiteh: “A political party is often considered a government in waiting. It should therefore act on the analogy of a government, and NOT some irresponsible, misguided group. It’s statements or pronouncements should be based on fact, policy or law. Unfortunately the PPP allegation against GMC Leader Hon. Mai Ahmad Fatty is not based on any fact. It is misleading and intentionally insincere. Instead PPP owes Hon. Fatty an apology for putting false words into his mouth.

“Our PPP colleagues should go back, watch and listen to Hon. Fatty’s press conference on the draft before impetuously jolting to attribute inaccurate and unfounded statements to him. He did not state anywhere that their “no” vote was linked to protecting the personal political ambition of anyone. He made that pronouncement in respect of the NRP who affirmed President Barrow as their candidate for 2021.

“Thankfully, Hon. Fatty’s press statement was in writing and in the possession of the media. His explanatory comments are on video, still accessible via social media. If deception existed, it emanated from the PPP. Certainly Hon. Fatty owes NO apologies to anyone.

“Hon. Touma Njie, was absent from parliament on that fateful day to cast her vote. Any support PPP alleged she might have professed outside of parliament on the draft constitution was merely academic and of no consequential practical relevance or influence on parliament on the that shameful day.

“GMC represents the national interest, and will continue to put facts, policy and law as the instruments of public enlightenment.

“While confirming the long term utmost mutual respect Hon. Fatty shares with his brother Hon. Papa Njie, leader of PPP, this sort of matters are best handled through direct engagement.”

By Lamin Njie

Chinese electromechanical manufacturer TBEA has won a bid from the Gambia government through NAWEC for a transmission infrastructure project worth over one billion dalasis – more than three years after the company made a highly dubious payment to the foundation of the First Lady.

In documents seen by The Fatu Network, TBEA battled it out with four other companies in July and July for the ‘Design and Build of Transmission Infrastructure’ between Brikama and Kotu. The multi-million dollars project was funded by the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernisation Project (GERMP).

The companies that bidded are Eiffage Energie Systemes (France), Xian Electric Engineering Co Ltd (China), Sinohydro (China), National Contracting Co Ltd (Saudi Arabia) and TBEA (China).

On September 22, an email was sent to National Contracting Co Ltd of Saudi Arabia notifying the company it’s TBEA that has won the contract.

In the email documents signed by Haddy Njie, the project manager, the Saudi Arabia company is seen being told ‘non-compliance with the requirements in the bidding documents’ was the reason why its bid was unsuccessful.

Specifically, NAWEC told the company in its email the 225/33kV power transformers which are ‘critical’ part of the substations are not compliant with the requirements.

“The proposed Graded Winding Insulation is not acceptable to NAWEC,” NAWEC informed National Contracting Co Ltd further.

TBEA winning the contract will raise eyebrows as it’s the company that in 2017 paid nearly 750,000 dollars into the account of the foundation of First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow.

Where the money went still remains unexplained – and nothing has been shared about an investigation officials of FABB had announced.

The project would cost NAWEC 18,922,225 dollars and 213,121,543 dalasis respectively.

People’s Progressive Party has slammed as ‘misleading’ comments by GMC leader Mai Fatty an MP of the party voted against the draft constitution because one of the party’s leaders is a member of President Adama Barrow’s cabinet.

Mr Fatty made the comments at a news conference last week.

PPP in a statement signed by public relations officer Ebrima Savage and shared with The Fatu Network said: “Before we get to the position of the party, PPP wants to address the misleading statement by Mai Fatty the leader of the GMC party for saying one of our members of Parliament Hon. Momodou Ndow voted against the draft constitution promulgation bill in his view has shown the desire of the PPP not to endanger President Barrow’s political ambitions as reported by standard news Paper. Mai’s statement was grossly deceptive, and we urged him to apologize to the party.

“We want to make one thing clear to Mai Fatty our party has never at any time interfered in the work of our National Assembly members. PPP strongly believes in democracy to strengthen that our NAMS shall be giving the independent to exercise their mandate without the interference of the PPP executive members.

“National Assembly members shall act based on their conscience, and they should always put the national interest first. Mai Fatty deliberately failed to mention Hon. Fatoumata Njie (Touma) public support for the draft constitution which has demonstrated the internal democratic nature of our party. Given the above, PPP membership is being divided on the draft constitution bill.

“Some of our members did not support the draft constitution bill on grounds that it omitted key fundamental clauses that are not in the interest of Gambians. While those on another side strongly support the passing of the draft constitution bill as it is a progressive one when compared to the 1997 constitution. This leaves the party with no official position regarding The CRC2020.

“Moving forward, we want to remind our members and Gambians to learn from history that not all hopes are lost. As mentioned above PPP had lost its first referendum for republican status, but had respected the rule of law and had started the process all over again. Although the circumstances were different and one could argue that it was decided by the people, not the parliament, but that is the nature of democracy and parliamentarians are the people’s representatives. We as a party and a nation must forge ahead and continue with the rebuilding of The Gambia.

“More importantly, we will urge the National Assembly to review 1970, 1997, and the rejected 2020 draft constitution to make amendments to the 1997 constitution.

“We want to make sure that the changes reflect the desire of the Gambians and toensure the continued existence of democracy, rule of law, peace, tolerance, and a fair and transparent system of using our elected officials.”

President Adama Barrow on Saturday laid the foundation stone of Hakalang road. At a ceremony held in Buniadu, the president took off his face mask for moment to read a prepared speech. Below is the full statement.

It is indeed my pleasure and honour to be here today, to lay the foundation stone for the long-awaited Nuimi Hakalang Roads Project.

We all know that the lack of good and adequate road infrastructure in the rural area has contributed to the great disparities between rural and urban communities.

Today’s event, therefore, marks another significant milestone in the development endeavours of my Government. As stated in our National Development Plan, our goal is “to deliver good governance and accountability, social cohesion and national reconciliation, and a revitalized and transformed economy for the wellbeing of all Gambians.”

To this end, for the first time after many years of waiting, this Project will provide for the people in these areas, interlinked bituminous roads covering the length and breadth of the Nuimis, and connecting these districts to Jokadu.

Ladies and gentlemen, this project amply demonstrates my Government’s commitment to inclusiveness in The Gambia. With improved road networks, the search for better social facilities and employment opportunities in the urban area will be curtailed; thus, the creation of a growing business environment to improve the economic status of rural residents will become far easier to realise.

As a government, we have taken the critical decision to rebuild our economy and bring infrastructure development closer to the people.

To rebuild the economy, however, we must have access to good roads, uninterrupted electricity supply and technology to enhance the capacity of the people and their wellbeing.

Laying the foundation stone for the construction of the Hakalang road network is evidence of our strong will to ensure that no section of Gambian society is deprived of their rights to live dignified lives and have their equal share of the national cake. The desire of the Government is to minimise rural-urban migration, increase self-reliance and boost entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity, with agro-business production given due attention.

The residents of Nuimi are popular for their active engagement in gardening and horticulture. Good road networks within the area will ease travel and transportation of farm products to market points, as well as encourage businesses to get closer to the communities.

Ladies and gentlemen, development must be decentralised to reach every district and region of The Gambia, which is one of our goals. Accordingly, we will continue to encourage the young people in all hard-to-reach areas to participate actively in the development of their communities, and take pride in innovative work for self-development. It is the development of the people that makes national development a reality. Working together, therefore, we can attain this, while maintaining peace, stability and security in the country.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, when completed, the Nuimi Hakalang Road network will surely provide vital access to the Lower and Upper Nuimi Districts, which have a combined population of over seventy thousand (70,000) residents. In particular, the feeder roads will connect the communities of Juffureh, Albreda, Ker Mbuguma, Fass Omar Saho, Bafuloto and Kuntaya in the Jokadu District.

There is no doubt that the project will yield numerous economic and social benefits within the area, including the development of agriculture, fisheries and tourism, especially for the renowned tourist attraction sites in Jufurreh.

We expect, and with much optimism, that the proposed construction works will immediately trigger increased economic activities, such as agricultural production enterprises that include cashew farming and animal husbandry.

My Government has taken this big stride to ensure that the people of Hakalang are not, any longer, excluded from the national development process. The development of the roads in the area has been anticipated for more than five decades. Fulfilling this dream is certainly long overdue.

Most of the eleven towns and villages along the project road sites (namely, Buniadu, Aljamdu, Lamin, Kerr Cherno, Jufurreh, Albreda, Sika, Tubakolong, Sitanunku, Bafuloto and Kuntaya), have been isolated for far too long, due to poor access roads.

It is very well known, for instance, that a twenty-minute journey from Buniadu to Juffureh takes several hours, and under very difficult conditions, because of dilapidated roads. However, once the roads are completed as planned, there will be easy access to these communities, alongside other development opportunities and much easier access to farms, markets, schools, health facilities, hospitals and fish landing sites, to cite a few examples.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the total length of the roads involved in the Project is 88 kilometres, divided into three components, that is:
The construction of Buniadu to Kuntaya;
Construction of Ker Mbuguma through Medina to Bafuloto; and,
Construction of Albreda to Fass Omar Saho.

I take this opportunity to register my immense appreciation to the people of this region for their patience, support and cooperation in making this project a reality.

A local proverb teaches that ‘when someone is washing your back for you, the least you can do is to pour water over it.’ Our development partners are supporting our progress; so, we have to take ownership of our development process, and commit ourselves to meeting our obligations in our best interest. To put it bluntly, we must learn to be self-reliant and independent. There is more honour and dignity in striving to feed oneself than in begging or being fed.

At this juncture, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I must mention that the Hakalang project is fully funded by my Government; therefore, for completing all the necessary arrangements, I thank the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, the National Roads Authority and, most notably, the Honourable National Assembly Members who were at the forefront of the deliberations to allocate the necessary funding for the Project.

With gratitude, I recognise the presence of the consultant, PACE and GAMECS, and the contractor, CSE. I wish both teams successful execution of their respective duties.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the ultimate success of this important project depends on the collaboration of all the parties involved in it, which include the contractor, consultants, the client Ministries, the work force and the host communities of Nuimi. I implore all the communities along the project roads to be the best of hosts for the successful implementation of the project.

Finally, I take this opportunity to thank everyone present at this foundation stone laying ceremony. I assure you all of my appreciation of your support for my Government and for this Project.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it now gives me great pride to formally lay the foundation stone for the commencement of the Nuimi Hakalang Roads Construction Project.

I thank you for your attention.

The nation’s former deputy ambassador to the United Nations Samsudeen Sarr has said Ecowas could have deployed judges to the country to address the 2016 election dispute rather than force.

Ecowas demolished former President Jammeh by sending in troops led by Senegal’s no-nonsense general Francoise Ndiaye, after the former leader refused to hand over power to Adama Barrow.

According to Samsudeen, it was however more logical and safe for Ecowas to explore the option of the courts.

He told The Fatu Network: “They could have exhausted all peaceful means. Because when Jammeh nullified the result, some people brought him in and told him ‘you cannot nullify it like that, you take this to the courts’. But they said all the courts are not operational, all the judges are not here…

“But what am trying to say is that it would have been more logical and safer for Ecowas to mobilise a team of judges to come and look at what has gone right or wrong in this government or in this election before they go to ‘let’s use force’. I think that was more reasonable and safer than ‘let’s use force’. And the UN never allowed force to be used in this country.”

National People’s Party heavyweight Seedy Njie has said the bee attack in Kerewan took place after the president had concluded his event contrary to claims the attack disrupted the event.

Angry bees descended on supporters of the president on Saturday in Kerewan – and videos that emerged online show people scampering to safety. Some got injured.

“So far there are only two arguments for the incident one is someone in the crowd might have provoked the bees while the other is perfume worn by the people,” Njie said.

Njie who travelled with the president throughout on Saturday said thousands of people came out to show support to the president in Kerewan.

“The crowd was massive, thousands of people came out, it’s unprecedented,” he said.

“The bee attack occurred only after the president had concluded the event. So there was no disruption. All the events went on smoothly. And it also doesn’t make sense the president was rushed to Farafenni. If there was any real danger, what would make sense was to quickly take the president back to Banjul instead of Farafenni,” he said.

The governor’s office in Kerewan is notorious for bees; the dangerous insects have lived on the trees there for many years.

An 88-year-old Finn has died of coronavirus, the ministry of health has said.

The ministry said in its latest report one new COVID-19 related death recorded, bringing the total deaths to 111.

“The new deceased case, aged 88, was a male of Finnish nationality who had his sample collected posthumously after being brought in dead at the EFSTH,” the health ministry said.

President Adama Barrow has said work on the Hakalang road would be completed after 2021 – but he will return back to Nuimi to inaugurate the road.

The president on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the road where he shared how he told his ministers the road must be built or they be sacked.

At the event held in Buniadu, the president evinced both joy and regret; joy in that the project was finally being flagged off while regretting the coronavirus pandemic didn’t allow for an elaborate event.

“But when we’re officially inaugurating the road, coronavirus would have gone, 2021 would have passed and we will converged here again and do a launching,” the president said.

The Gambia is electing a new president next year and the president is hoping to seek re-election.

The hint of victory comes days after UDP said they’re going to form the next government now that the draft constitution has failed.

Someone might have thrown ‘something’ at bees prompting them to attack the president’s meeting, an NPP official has said.

Bees that live on trees at the governor’s office in Kerewan, Baddibu attacked a crowd Saturday as President Barrow laid the foundation stone of the governor’s office complex. A number of people were left needing medical care.

An NPP official said he believes the dangerous insect might have been provoked by someone while laughing at claims black magic was involved.

By Lamin Njie

Bees disrupted President Adama Barrow’s event in Kerewan on Saturday resulting in people being taken to hospital.

The President was all throughout Saturday busy blessing project upon project, defying all coronavirus odds along the way. He was in Kerewan to lay the foundation stone of the governor’s office complex.

People that gathered to witness the event came under bee attack leaving some people needing medical care.

An NPP reporter travelling with the president confirmed the incident to The Fatu Network but said he saw only three people that were taken to the hospital.

“The incident happened outside while the president was inside the governor’s office compound. There were a lot of people and the bees came after people that wore perfume. It’s also not true the president fled to Farafenni as a result,” he said.

Another supporter of the president also confirmed the incident.

Police on Saturday vowed to keep things honest over the death of a suspected drug trafficker.

The decomposing body of Matarr Ceesay was recovered on Friday in the mangroves near Bond Road as claims raged he was shot during a showdown with police.

Police on Saturday confirmed the death of the 37-year-old Banjulian as they announced they have opened an investigation.

Police said: “The Office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to inform the public that, it has opened investigations into circumstances surrounding the incident of a single dead body found along the mangroves of Banjul on the 25th September 2020.

“The body was later identified as Matar Ceesay, 37 years old male of no. 14 McDonald Street in Banjul.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that, the found body is linked to an incident reported by the Police Patrols in Banjul dated 19th September 2020.

“The report indicates that during routine patrols in Banjul and its surroundings, the Police came across a vehicle with registration number BJL 2597 H, around Bond road.

“As they approached the vehicle two individuals were seen from a distance running into the mangroves and swimming away. The officers pursued but lost track of them.

“Police officers returned to the vehicle and a search was conducted. They recovered 56 kilos of suspected cannabis wrapped in bundles. An additional unspecified amount of suspected cannabis was also recovered in another bag inside the vehicle. The vehicle and the suspected cannabis were then taken to the Police Station and a case file opened for further investigations.

“Karim Jabbie alias Chana, a mechanic by profession was later arrested in connection to the incident and Usaman Rahman owner of the vehicle was also arrested. They were later handed to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency as it was a suspected drug related matter .

“Police probe further established that, it was Matar Ceesay (deceased) and one Njaga whose whereabouts is yet to be established, who ran into the mangroves leaving the vehicle and suspected cannabis behind.

“The found body of Matar Ceesay has been sent to the EFSTH mortuary for further examination to establish cause of death.

“The Public is assured that the matter will be investigated and the outcome communicated to the public.

“The usual support and cooperation of the public is highly solicited. The public is encouraged to share information that maybe useful to the investigation.”

President Adama Barrow has lifted the lid on a conversation he had with his finance minister over the Hakalang Road.

The president on Saturday presided over the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the key Nuimi road.

At the event, the president detailed how he shared with his finance minister his uncompromising stance over the road.

The president said in Buniadu: ” I was teasing the finance minister. I told him I would go and rob a bank and build the Hakalang road if that’s what it takes.

“I told him so anyone in my government that should strive and ensure Hakalang is achieved, be sure that ‘each of you, it is your head versus Hakalang’s’. Hakalang happens, we continue or Hakalang doesn’t happen, we would not continue [working together].”

President Adama Barrow has expressed dismay coronavirus prevented his Nuimi event from being a massive ceremony.

The president is currently laying the foundation stone for the construction of the Hakalang road in Nuimi, a project he says is long overdue.

The president however while expressing joy the project finally got to commencing rued the fact that the flagging event wasn’t big enough.

He said: “As I stand here today, I’m very happy but there’s one thing that saddens me: that is we’re in coronavirus. But if we were not in coronavirus today, we would have passed the night here. Anything that’s culture would all have been brought here.

“We would bring masquerade, we would bring kumpos, we would bring koras, we would have done everything here. It’s worth it. Since before we were not born up till we were born, we have been hearing about Hakalang road. There’s no name in this country that matches Hakalang.

“So the people of Nuimi, be aware that it’s not just you who are happy, it the entire Gambia that’s happy. When we signed the Hakalang road [project] to now, the amount of people that calls me from abroad or within The Gambia praying for me, expressing joy just because of this Hakalang [project]. I was even surprised in the end.

“Roads have long been constructed in the country but why is it that everybody was focused on Hakalang road? That’s why I told them I was ready to go to any length. I had once summoned the minister of finance and the minister of works to my office and asked them to ensure what the Hakalang road means to me meant the same exact way for them. I even jokingly told the finance minister I was even prepared to rob a bank and go and build the Hakalang road.”

President Adama Barrow has told the people of Nuimi the Hakalang road is ‘fully’ funded by his government.

Most Gambian roads are funded through loans acquired from development partners but the president has informed the people of Nuimi the Hakalang road is ‘fully’ funded by his government.

“I must mention that the Hakalang project is fully funded by my government. Therefore, completing all the necessary arrangements, I thank the ministry of finance and economic affairs, the ministry of transport, works and infrastructure, the national road authority and most notably the Honourable National Assembly Members who were at the forefront of the deliberation to allocate the necessary funding for the project,” the president said on Saturday while laying the foundation stone of the Hakalang road.

His speech continues…

President Adama Barrow is currently presiding over the laying of the foundation stone of the Hakalang road in Nuimi.

The key road is set to be constructed by the government and the president Saturday morning left Banjul for Buniadu to bless the construction exercise.

The event has however been embellished as supporters of the president displayed NPP t-shirts and cards amid singing and dancing.