By Adama Makasuba
The director general of Food Safety and and Quality Authority has announced the dismissal of some staff of the authority after they allegedly organised a press conference without ‘authorisation’.
FSQA director general is fighting to clear her name amid allegations of abuse of office.
FSQA staff last year wrote to the Vice President Dr Isatou Touray informing her their director Zainab Jallow was abusing her office. They accused her of bad leadership, corruption and sacking staff illegally.
On Wednesday, staff of FSQA held a press conference to saying their petition action against their director general had been ‘frustrated’ – while calling for it to be implemented.
Zainab Jallow has now reacted to the press conference branding it ‘illegal’ and then saying those who took part in it have been dismissed.
“Everybody who was involved in telling these lies in that illegal press conference… They’re not the head of institution [but] they held an illegal press conference in government office without authorization. Therefore, the decision has been taken to dismiss them…from the office of the vice President,” Zainab Jallow said.
A staff of FSQA Saidina Alieu Jarjou who took part in Wednesday’s press conference told The Fatu Network Zainab Jallow’s comment has proven ‘once again how dictatorial she is’.
“Apparently, The Gambia is not a lawlessness state and if she thinks she has the authority to take the law into her hand, well, we shall see what the future holds,” Mr Jarjou said.
He then added: “However, we as staff petitioners will continue to be law-abiding citizens for a better Gambia we want where the sovereign citizens consume safe and quality food.
“Besides, we have exhausted all the diplomatic communication channels and still the status quo remains the same. It is in that regards we called a press conference to shed light on the issue at hand.”
At least 20 staff had earlier been sent on administrative leave after they reportedly refused to go on posting as the row over Zainab Jallow’s leadership deepened.
