By: Alagie Cherno Suwareh

The Greater Banjul Area and parts of the West Coast Region have been hit by an intense downpour, leaving many individuals stranded on the streets. It’s worth noting that the OIC road project commenced approximately two years ago. However, due to its incomplete status, combined with the relentless rain, commuters are facing substantial difficulties in accessing smooth travel routes. Consequently, drivers are hesitant to traverse these roads, fearing potential vehicle damage and the heightened risk of road traffic accidents.

Lamin Jarju, a taxi driver, shared his perspective on the matter, revealing that he wouldn’t even consider taking passengers to certain locations. He firmly believes that the risk is too great. Pabi Camara, another taxi driver, expressed a contrasting viewpoint. He emphasized that their livelihoods depend on navigating through traffic and, despite the challenges, he’s one of the few willing to brave the conditions. He also called upon the government to deploy buses in order to alleviate transportation woes. Camara suggested that certain areas should be off-limits to taxis, except for door-to-door services or town trips.

As the rain continues unabated in the lead-up to Monday, a notably busy day of the week, it raises questions about the current state of road traffic transportation. What is your perspective on this ongoing issue?

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.