By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Designed to help curb drowning by learning to swim at a tender age, Swim For Life and its partners have today 17th September 2022 begun a six-week free swimming training for thirty (30) young Gambians aged 8-16 years at Sand Beach Resort in Kotu.

The training, which enters its fourth edition, trains children about swimming including first aid and rescue methods training.

In a ceremony that gathers parents, the kids dressed in colourful shorts as parents observe the first swimming session shortly after the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the opening of the fourth edition, the co-founder and Secretary General of Swim For Life, Sang Mendy, told the participants and their parents the rationale behind such a laudable initiative, saying it is a measure to curb child drowning.
Mr Mendy further told The Fatu Network that Swim For Life has two major objectives which are to introduce kids to swimming at a younger age as well as to introduce it as a game.

“We have two main objectives. One is to train young people to learn how to swim in a bid to curb drowning in the sea in the country. And the second objective is to introduce swimming as a sport to young people at a very tender age,” he revealed to TFN.

Swim For Life, has so far trained a total of one-hundred and two Gambian kids in the past three editions.

However, despite having the craving to train more kids about swimming as a sport and to curb drowning, Sang told this medium that their most enduring challenge is not about the management of the kids but finance. He revealed that the fund received for the fourth edition came from Norway. He narrated that he pays D75 per head for kids over ten years and D50 for those below ten in every training.

Caroline Mendy is a parent who, after sending her nephew to be part of the third edition, has now cemented her hope in the training by registering three young girls to be part of the fourth edition. She said she cannot swim and if a scenario of drowning occurred in her presence, she won’t be able to rescue the individual. However, she preferred her three girls to learn what she has no skills in.

The Gambia Swimming Association, Gambia Fire and Rescue Services, Gambia Tourism Board, and Ministry of Youth and Sports were all invited to grace the occasion but failed to turn up. Sang, however, expressed his dismay over that but remained committed to what he believes is the best.

The training of these kids will be in a course of six weeks at Sand Beach Hotel in Kotu.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The National Assembly Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, Yahya Sanyang, has said he had more pressing issues to attend to rather than sitting in Parliament to listen to a State of The Nation Address (SONA) he described as “unconstitutional” which was delivered by President Barrow, on Thursday, 15th September 2022 at the Parliament.

“In my considered opinion the President after giving speech should sit down and allow the NAMS to ask him questions but this is not the case as the Vice President will later appear to receive questions on behalf of the President. I felt this was waste of time for me to sit there and listen to the President without asking him questions. It is better I walked out. I had better [sic] pressing issues to address than attending any unconstitutional act by the President, Honourable Yaya Menteng Sanyang told The Fatu Network.

The Hon. Member was responding to questions posed by this reporter about his statement that: “I walked out when the President made his introduction. You cannot give me speech and I cannot ask you questions,” yesterday after the SONA.

The President delivered a State of the Nation Address as per Section 77(1) of the Constitution which dictates that he “shall at least once each year attend a sitting of the National Assembly and address a session on the condition of the Gambia, the policies of the government and the administration of the state.”

However, this was seen as ‘unconstitutional’ by the Latrikunda Sabiji NAM as he complained that the President’s appearance at the Parliament is long overdue, saying it should have been done in the first quarter of the year as dictated by the Constitution.

“The President failed this constitutional requirement and appeared in the last quarter which is itself is unconstitutional,” said the UDP NAM, Hon. Sanyang.

The outspoken NAM also described the State of the Nation Address as an ‘untruthful’ speech that ‘misled’ Gambians for its failure to touch on some important socio-politico-economic issues that interest the citizens.

“He did not mention the State’s failed preparedness to host the OIC summit; the skyrocketing of price of basic commodities; the lack of security in the country; or the reckless and rampant corruption in all sectors of the economy. In summary, as usual, his State of the Nation Address was just a performance well calculated to mislead Gambians on the real issues,” Sanyang told The Fatu Network.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is concerned by the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS)’s act of censorship in an editorial policy update which seeks to ignore voices of people and organizations calling for better working conditions.

The memo, signed by the Director General of GRTS, Malick Jeng, and dated 12th September, 2022, orders all staff of the News and Current Affairs Department to cease providing a platform to all organisers of industrial action in all sectors.

“It is not our calling as a national broadcaster to promote any action that can destabilise the nation or put our people in difficult circumstances. On the contrary, we should feature the official reaction of government agencies and law enforcement authorities. Trade unionists should engage the relevant Government institutions such as the Department of Labour to resolve the issues,” Jeng stated in a memo after the Transport Union announced a nationwide strike over fuel prices and bridge toll fees.

“The GPU found this directive to be illegal as it is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1997 Constitution,” GPU President, Muhammed S. Bah, said. “We are therefore calling on the Director General of GRTS to rescind this directive with immediate effect and create space for divergent views in programmes of both the state radio and television.”

Section 25(a) of the Constitution provides that “every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and the media”. Also, section 208 of the Constitution further provides that “all State-owned newspapers, journals, radio and television shall afford fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions”.

The obligation to afford fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and opinion extends to the right of all Trade Unions or organisers of industrial actions (strikes) to be afforded media coverage.

In this regard, sections 107 and 137 of the Labour Act, 2007 provides for the rights of workers to form trade unions and to undertake industrial actions, if they so wish.

Section 107 states that “workers and employers have the right to establish and join workers’ and employers’ organisations of their choice in accordance with the Constitution and laws of The Gambia.”

Section 137 provides that “it is lawful for one or more persons, acting on their own behalf or on behalf of a trade union or of an individual employer in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute, to assemble –

At or near their own place of employment; or

If the persons are officials of the registered trade union; at or near the place of employment of employees whom they represent,

If they so assemble for the purpose of peacefully persuading a person to work or abstain from working or to communicate information.”

The directive is also a violation of the General Principles of the Cherno Jallow Charter of Ethics for Journalists on “public interest and the social responsibility” of journalists and the media.

The Charter provides that journalists and media houses “shall uphold the public’s right to fair, accurate, balanced information of issues and events of public interest.”

In light of the above, we are also urging the Minister of Information, Lamin Queen Jammeh, to initiate and work closely with relevant stakeholders to implement recommendations by the Truth Commission to transform GRTS into an editorially-independent public service broadcaster.

“The government must keep its promise to task the Ministry of Information to work with GRTS [and relevant stakeholders] to fulfill the broadcaster’s constitutional mandate by providing divergent views on national issues, including workers’ strikes,” GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said.

“The reform of GRTS is necessary, and should be treated as a top priority, to break from an unacceptable past of censoring critical voices on national issues, including those of striking workers and the opposition. This is necessary to ensure government accountability and to create the democratic space needed for freedom of expression to thrive.”

Finally, we note that the Truth Commission’s recommendations are in line with the Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression in Africa that was adopted by the African Commission in Banjul in 2002.

As per the declaration, State and government-controlled broadcasters should be transformed into public service broadcasters, accountable to the public through the legislature rather than the government, in accordance with the following principles:

public broadcasters should be governed by a board which is protected against interference, particularly of a political or economic nature;

the editorial independence of public service broadcasters should be guaranteed;

public broadcasters should be adequately funded in a manner that protects them from arbitrary interference with their budgets;

public broadcasters should strive to ensure that their transmission system covers the whole territory of the country; and

the public service ambit of public broadcasters should be clearly defined and include an obligation to ensure that the public receive adequate, politically balanced information, particularly during election periods.

– Ends

Press Statement – Fajara, September 16, 2022

For enquiries,

Contact GPU Secretary General

Tel: +220 348 0043

Email: [email protected]

By: Modou Touray

In reaction to the alarming rate of domestic crimes in the country, The Fatu network conducted random interviews with various neighbourhoods where criminal activities are rampant. According to the residents, many parents neglect the activities of their children who usually got into criminal behaviours because of bad peer pressure. These children often get stubborn, and criminality becomes a normal way of life for them.

These children, some said, become idle due to a lack of proper home upbringing which they entirely blame on their parents.

“Children and youths who idle normally abandoned their family homes to stay elsewhere or sleep around garages. Sometimes you think they are apprentices for vehicles but that is just an opportunity to have a way for their operations,” Fallou Jeng said.

A study has shown that youth impatience, corruption, low level of education, poor parental care, stress at home, and financial constraints are some of the factors for violent crimes.

“Young people are often seen around town looking like homeless people. Several hardcore criminals had issues at home in their childhood. It is either the parents divorced, or they are traumatized by violence at home.”

Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behaviour that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. It has an adverse impact on the children.

“Some parents take pride in getting many kids, but the required guidance and counselling are poorly done. They dodge from school and join other friends to idle around the beach or other places. Most kids and youths are now interested in having money than concentrating on education and vocational skills development,” Sanna Yaffa said.

Care can be beneficial if parents increase offspring survival during the stage in which parents and offspring are associated. Improve offspring quality in a way that leads to increased offspring survival.

“Especially in the urban centres where women will wake up early in the morning to sell at the market; the father too will go to work. Parents close late from work therefore, less time is spent with children which makes it difficult to monitor their engagements,” Mr Ebrima Jallow, a retired school principal revealed.

The chairperson of the West Coast Regional youth committee, Mr Lamin Sanneh asserted that its essential to have critical conversations on the rising crime rates among the young people in The Gambia.

“Drugs are causing havoc in our societies and the better we holistically have conversations on how to remedy the current predicaments the earlier the better.”

The village head of Kombo Manduar, Alkali Jerreh Bojang, highlighted the failure of parents in disciplining their children.

If you don’t take of your children, you can’t talk to them because they struggle on their own to feed themselves. They don’t mind doing any dubious act to survive,” Jerreh said.

The police public relations officer ASP Binta Njie attributed the crime rate to a lack of parental supervision

Children are roaming in the streets with some engaging in selling while some are at garages as apprentices. It exposed them to lots of risks.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Hon. Suwaibou Touray, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Wuli East Constituency has reacted to President Adama Barrow’s State of the Nation address, saying he [Hon. Suwaibou Touray] doesn’t believe Gambia is ready for development. President Barrow delivered the nation’s address at the National Assembly yesterday Thursday 15th September 2022.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Hon. Touray said the President’s speech has little or no difference with his previous State of the Nation addresses.

“For me, it is the same speech that I keep hearing and sometimes they are far from reality. Gambia is not a serious country when it comes to development. I don’t believe the governments we continue to have are serious about development,” he noted.

The lawmaker added that the country is depending highly on outsiders for its development. For Suwaibou Touray, the country’s development cannot be achieved without the commitment of the government.

“We cannot wait for outsiders for our own development,” he emphasized.

According to the lawmaker, there are lot of agricultural projects that have come to the country but “they all failed.” He said government is depending entirely on loans and grants from external partners in all its projects.

“This has been a serious matter from 1965 to date. If we are serious about development, we could have come up with strong plans to develop this country.”

The Wuli East representative said agriculture should be prioritized for the development of the country.

The Wuli East NAM said government is spending billions of dalasis on importing agricultural commodities annually.

He added that the country cannot depend on loans and grants all the time.

Hon. Touray noted that government should invest in agriculture if they are serious about the sector.

“No country has ever developed through loans. Loans are only meant for short-term and not long-terms developments,” he concluded.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

“What I gain from the car Wash and poultry alone monthly, I can pay two qualified HTC teachers from grade 7.1 towards 7.9”, Ousman Touray, a runaway teacher (RAT), who bagged his Higher Teachers’ Certificate from the Gambia College in 2017, asserted as he explained to The Fatu Network how his income changed after leaving the teaching profession.

Teaching is described by many as a noble profession that shapes and forms the path of budding leaders and administrators in every domain of national development. However, there has been some kind of a trending teacher exodus recently among young Gambian teachers as they quit the profession for other jobs. This has created a vacuum in many schools in the country despite the Gambia college delivering hundreds of teachers every year to the country’s ministry of basic and secondary education.

Ousman Touray is a young man who bagged his HTC from the Gambia College School of Education. He explained that he abandoned the field because there is no motivation, and his monthly earnings are insufficient compared to his needs.

“As teachers, we lack motivation from the government. We depend on a Monthly salary of less than, D7000 on a single shift. A bag of rice is D1500. Fish money is D200, which in a month will give you D6000. Breakfast for the family is D200, including my children’s lunch money when going to school plus my wife’s breakfast. So, I always realized that my budget is always in deficit at the end of every month,” Ousman revealed, narrating the challenges he faced as a teacher.

Ousman would, after two years as a teacher, leave the field and went on to open a poultry farm and two car washing workshops in Jambajelly. Financially okay now, Ousman told The Fatu Network that his income can pay two qualified teachers whose monthly payments start from six thousand dalasis to ten thousand dalasis including allowances.

He said he would advise young teachers to leave but said that the government should motivate teachers.

He said the government should motivate teachers; however, he would not hesitate to advise young teachers to leave.

Samba Jallow, 32, is another brilliant teacher who taught for seven years while continuing to live from hand to mouth. After seven years, and a period of deep thought, Samba discontinued being in the profession he dearly loved for a small business at the Brikama market.

“I resigned from teaching two years ago. I did my PTC and HTC, but could I not do anything meaningful financially. After a deep reflection without any financial progress, I decided to put an end to it and joined my uncle in a small business. Now, I have my shop, selling clothes. Ways better than what I earned from teaching,” Samba confessed to The Fatu Network.

He said that he has seen so many bright teachers in the profession who left the field because there is no motivation and incentive for teachers.

“I will never advise any bright student to be a teacher unless the person wants to be poor,” he pointed out.

Earlier this week, TFN reported a story on Kebba Gaye, a 28-year-old teacher who left the teaching field for tailoring. Gaye expressed that he left the field for the creative industry because he would like to establish his own business and not continue depending on his monthly salary.

Another young teacher who left the field for something else is Omar Saibou Camara, the Executive Director of the Fact-check Center.

Omar did not quit the field because it pays less, he left because he wanted to pursue a degree in Political Science, however, it is against the school policy of going to university without taking study leave.

Omar was teaching at Kabafita Upper and Senior Secondary school in Brikama. When the then principal realized that Omar was going to the University, he released him. He was then posted to Foni Bondali but he failed to go and instead continued his studies at the UTG, a decision that killed his teaching career.

“I left teaching because I couldn’t teach while going to the university as it was claimed to be against the policy of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. So, I quit and then looked for another job,” he explained.

While so many people continue to teach because they want to, some want an income that will be enough for their families.

Ansumana Camara, a youth activist and football administrator, taught for six years as a qualified teacher. He was a passionate teacher but also left the field, noting that the teaching job has been a trap for a lifetime of poverty in the Gambia. When quizzed why he left teaching, he narrated:

“Teaching was supposed to be lucrative; hence it is a field that prepares future citadels of the state. This is entirely different in the Gambia. It has ever been a trap for lifetime poverty. Inasmuch as you want to serve the state, the state should also understand that you have mouths to feed at home. Small wages, small salaries and no motivation. Worst of all, the budgets allocated to schools for their upkeep are inadequate. Working in areas with few resources for easing the job is not the least easy. Teachers deserve better, and the government ought to know. It was boring, and I had to leave for another field.”

The recent poor performance of Gambian students in the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), was attributed, by some people, to the poor delivery of teachers.

Ebrima Sarr, a teacher who still wants to continue teaching, said because of the lack of motivation for teaching, many young teachers do not care what has been affecting the performance of students.

“They don’t care. They don’t bother helping students beyond the classroom because the motivation is not there. Nobody can blame them; they have families and responsibilities. Some of them are teaching different schools to get something sufficient at the end of the month.” he argued.

By: Dawda Baldeh

People who are lodged at the Friendship Hotel in Bakau New Town have woken up to what was described by eyewitnesses as another tragic murder case involving two young people, a male and a female. This comes less than two weeks after the alleged murder of a 62-year-old woman in the same neighbourhood.

The incident involves a young lady and a man, who are said to have been in a relationship, in the early hours of Wednesday 14, September 2022 at the Friendship Hostel in Bakau; a hotel where some of the July flood victims are moved to by the government.

The police confirmed the arrest of a young lady who is deemed a suspect in the case and she currently helping them in their investigations. Cadet ASP Binta Njie, the Public Relations Officer of the police confirmed to The Fatu Network that the police have a suspect in custody.

“A suspect has been arrested and is currently helping the police in the investigations,” Cadet ASP Binta Njie confirmed.

Babucarr Faye, a Bakau New Town resident who was at the scene, explained how he first heard the news. He said upon hearing the news, he was left devasted, while on his way to observe the early morning prayers.

“The incident is really devastating. When I saw the man lying on the ground with blood everywhere in the house I couldn’t hold my emotions,” he explained, adding that the suspect was trying to escape but she was apprehended by the security guards in the hotel.

Mr. Faye added that after visiting the scene, he rushed to Bakau Police Station to find out who was involved and to gather more information.

Babucarr, who was so emotional at the time, said the incident has left him in a difficult situation.

“This is really strange. I went to pray at the Mosque but unfortunately, I cannot remember the ‘Surah’ the Imam was reciting.

The eyewitness also urged people to be vigilant in their various places. He said living in the area is now becoming worrisome for the security of his family.

“I don’t know what to do and as a family man, I fear for the security of my family. Just a couple of weeks there was a murder incident in Bakau and this time also in the same place. This is really scary,” he added.

Isatou Barry, a staff at the hotel, said upon hearing the news she felt sad, noting that she is a mother, and such news is devastating for parents. However, she advised parents to give proper home training to their children to avoid such tragedies in communities.

“As a mother, I felt very sad and this is not good news,” she narrated, adding that parents need to be careful about how they train their children at home.

The suspect is under police custody and is helping the police in their investigations, according to the police spokesperson.

However, such incidents are becoming the order of the day as cases of murder, burglary, robbery, and theft among other crimes, are making daily news headlines.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

One Abdoulie Saine has been accused of obtaining D1, 350, 000 (one million three hundred and fifty thousand dalasis) from one Khadijah Kebbeh pretexting that he was going to facilitate the reinstating of the former Gam-petroleum MD, Saihou Drammeh.

The accused was alleged to have obtained the said amount on the 28th of December last year at Pipeline with the intention to defraud the lady.

He pleaded not guilty, and the matter was adjourned to the 29th of September for the Prosecution to produce their witnesses.

Meanwhile, the accused is granted bail in the sum of D1.5 million or property (freehold/leasehold) of the same value, located within the jurisdiction of the Kanifing Magistrate Court.

The punishment for the offence the accused allegedly committed is 3 years imprisonment as per the Criminal Code.

By: Modou Touray

Gambians across all sectors of the economy expressed fear of an unforeseen economic lockdown as the Ministry of Transport and Transport Union issued divergent statements on the drivers’ strike instead of focusing on mutual dialogue.

Some of the commuters who spoke to The Fatu network this morning said the frequent strike by drivers cause them difficulties in getting to their workplaces and running errands on time.

“If we cannot get to work on time, services will be delayed leading to economic losses. I work at a private clinic where I am supposed to administer drugs and injections to my patients but due to lack of transport, I could not report to work. My patients’ health conditions might worsen,” Lamin Yarboe, a private health worker, said.

The president of the Gambia Transport Union, Omar Ceesay, laid demands that he said must be met before they end their sit-down strike. He called on all the commercial drivers, commercial transport owners, and all garage attendees across the country to sit at their homes.

“I came to the Brikama garage around 6 am. My mission was to accompany my child to Saint Peters Primary School in Lamin village for admission. Unfortunately, I could not be able to do that today. The police bus came around, but people rushed to get on board so I could not secure a seat,” Mrs Awa Manneh narrated.

Industrial action happens when trade union members are in a dispute with the government such as high fuel costs that can’t be solved through negotiations. A trade union can only call for industrial action if the majority of its members are involved. Although fewer drivers defied the Monday strike.

“Only a few drivers were plying mostly 7 passenger vehicles. They are charging D50 from Brikama to Westfield. Brikama to Banjul is D75. I can’t afford this fare,” Fanta Mbye said.

The Ministry of Transport issued a statement warning drivers not to obstruct those who are not part of the strike.
“I came with a commercial van from Bwiam up to Brikama but the driver decided to discontinue his journey to Banjul. My tomatoes are still with me which I should take to my customers in Albert market in Banjul,” Sariba Nyassi said

The pressure groups and trade unions are special interest groups which seek to influence Government policies in a particular direction. This is not the first time the Gambia Transport Union stage a strike with conditions.

“Anytime there is a strike, it affects economic activities. I sell food at the garage every morning but no single sales today. I don’t have a refrigerator to preserve the food for another day,” Ndey Sey asserted.

Many shops around the Brikama Garage had low sales, especially a restaurant that depends on passengers and drivers to buy from them.

“I work at Kuloro, but I am already late because no vehicle yet. I saw a private driver who is picking up passengers but only for town- trips which are D300- D500 depending on your agreements,” I can’t afford that, Borry Sonko said.

Police staff busses as well as the government public buses rescued stranded passengers on the roadside to transport them. Many economic activities take place in the morning which has been adversely disrupted today. Citizens call for dialogue amongst stakeholders to amicably resolve the country’s transport challenges.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Amid the growing frustration being manifested by a large number of ordinary Gambian commuters, who in the midst of the ongoing indefinite sit-down strike by commercial drivers, have continued to wallow in search of transport as they commute to workplaces and businesses, the National Youth President of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Mc Cham Jnr, has said the suffering in the country is beyond imagination and labelled the Gambia as a doomed state where “economic junglers” are at the helms of the affairs.

“We are sinking in the deep ocean. Hardship is beyond imagination. All sectors have failed. The Gambia is a doomed state, and we have criminals in suits pretending to be public officials,” he asserted as he reacts to the ongoing sit-down strike by commercial drivers in the country.

Cham, vocal opposition to the current government, stated that Gambians do not deserve to be in a situation like this. He pointed out that the people had the chance before to change the existing state of affairs, but they refused.

He said the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure should call for a dialogue with the Gambia Transport Union to curb the suffering on the roads.

“Dialogue is the only way forward in solving this transport debacle affecting our people.  Why can’t the ministry responsible for transport sit with the Transport Union and negotiate or strike a good deal to avoid this suffering of the masses? Our public officials should always listen to the plight of its citizens,” he claimed.

Several Gambians have called for dialogue between the government and the transport union to put an end to the strike as ordinary Gambians struggle to go on their businesses.

The president of the Gambia Transport Union advised drivers to continue sitting at home until their demands are met.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National Treasurer of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Lamin KB Bojang has blasted the Gambia Transport Union (GTU) and commercial drivers who have been on a sit-down strike since yesterday, calling their actions an “absolute heartlessness” by making ordinary Gambians suffer while the top arms of the government move freely and go about their businesses without having to worry about the transport issue that has gripped the country.

The former GDC candidate for Brikama North in April Parliamentary elections said the majority of the people who suffered from yesterday’s industrial actions are the poor and helpless Gambians.

“Majority of those who suffered are the poor and helpless Gambians. So, for me, it is absolute heartlessness that a group of people calling themselves Gambians are heaping such hardships on their fellow Gambians,” he asserted.

Bojang argued that the top government officials did not feel the pain. He said the executives and the parliamentarians went on their businesses as well as those in the judiciary, leaving ordinary Gambians wallowing in search of transport.

The indefinite sit-down strike by the Gambia Transport Union hit many people hard yesterday. The few drivers that ignored the call of their leaders were in traffic charging exorbitant fares.

Bojang further claimed that the industrial actions by the drivers do not hold water. He contended that one of the proposals by the drivers should not warrant a complaint. He said tax or toll fees collected at the bridge are okay, noting that Gambia’s economy is tax-based. He further said that no genuine Gambian should complain of numerous police checkpoints, contrary to the demand of the drivers.

“Our roads are unsafe for our mothers and children, so why should a genuine human being complain about checkpoints?  In fact, I call on the police to increase them because our well-being surpassed their greed for money,” he pointed out.

According to the GDC National Treasurer, he doubts if the government of The Gambia can reduce the pump prices since the country doesn’t own a single barrel of oil.

He called on the transport union to end the strike because the industrial action is affecting women and children.

“The union should come back to their senses and end this strike as the heat of their actions are hitting the women and children harder than initially thought,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the president of the Gambia Transport Union, Omar Ceesay, has hailed his drivers for sitting at home and encouraged them to continue observing the strike.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

One Karanta Darboe, a man described by the police as a “long-time wanted suspect”, was denied bail as he stood in the dock at the Kanifing Magistrate Court on the 12th of September 2022 for allegedly obtaining D20, 000 from a Bureau De Change worker, by false pretence; a charge he pleaded not guilty to.

The alleged fraudster was said to have obtained the said amount on the 21st of July 2022 from one Mariama Ceesay who works with M & A Bureau at Manjai Kunda, with the pretext of exchanging 500 FEM HUNDRA KRONOR, a currency used in Sweden.

“We are objecting to the bail of the accused person on grounds that the police are mounting an investigation with regards to the case of the accused and amongst other things.

“Also, we are informing the court that the accused is not a first-time offender,” the Prosecution, led by Jammeh said.

According to the Prosecution, the accused has been found guilty of similar offences in multiple courts, namely: Brikama Magistrate Court, Bundung Magistrate Court, Kanifing Magistrate Court etc.

The Prosecution continued that the accused had even been convicted of a similar offence at the Kanifing Magistrate Court last year, where he was fined D105, 000 or serve 10 years 6 months in prison, a fine he has not fully paid.

“We are of the view that if the accused is granted bail, he will commit similar offences as after all convictions, he appeared for similar crimes. Maybe he has not been remorseful. The society needs protection from these kinds of people, and the protection of the society lies on our shoulders. Therefore, we urge the court to grant our application [to deny the accused bail] as we investigate – intensively for that matter,” the Prosecution begged court.

Meanwhile, the accused, who asked the court to ignore the Prosecution’s application argued he should be granted bail, saying he had a critical health condition as a result of a medical surgery he had undergone.

“Please grant me bail. I’m sick. I’m a Gambian – I cannot go to Mile 2 in this condition,” the accused urged.

The Magistrate’s ruling did not favour the accused. He was denied bail and would be in Mile 2 till the next adjourned date, 27th September 2022 when the state is expected to bring their first witness.

The accused may spend up to 3years if found guilty as per the Criminal Code of the country.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The principal Magistrate of the Kanifing Magistrate Court, Omar Jabang, has transferred a murder case involving 18-year-old and 20-year-old boys who allegedly murdered a 62-year-old woman in Fajara South, Bakau last week.

The Duo is alleged to have strangled the old woman to death on the 4th of September 2022, at her residence in Bakau. The prosecutor, Sub Inspector Kebbeh applied for the case to be transferred to a higher court as the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to hear such matters.

“Your Worship, with this circumstance, the Prosecution is applying for the transfer of this case to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court and remand the accused persons pending the hearing of this case; pursuant to sections 62 and 208A of the criminal procedure code,” said the prosecutor. Their application was granted.

It could be recalled that this medium broke the news of the death of the woman, who was said to have been found lying in a pool of water in her room with her face, neck, and nose all bruised. Her house was said to have been filled with water — almost knee-deep.

The two alleged murderers were found, arrested, and remanded by the police two days after their alleged crime on the 6th of September 2022.

The punishment for murder is death as per section 188 of the Criminal Code of the Gambia. However, there is a moratorium on the death penalty, which means if found guilty, the duo will be sentenced to life in jail.

By: Haddy Ceesay

Amid the ongoing sit-down strike by commercial drivers in their efforts to corner the government to reduce fuel prices, Residents in Kerr Serign have expressed their frustration to The Fatu Network, saying they find it difficult to travel from Kerr Serign to Serrekunda.

Mariama Jallow, who is a vendor, said she couldn’t go to the market today due to the ongoing drivers’ strike.

“Let the government deploy a bus in Kerr Serign community, we need a bus which will be plying from Serrekunda to Kerr Serign because many of us normally go to Serrekunda market for shopping on a daily basis, she added.

Haddy Njie, a commuter said she couldn’t go to the Serrekunda market for shopping because many drivers in Kerr Serign are not operating.

“I did not go to the market today because many drivers not are not operating and this is affecting us,” she said, adding that if the government provided other communities with buses, they should also help the people in Kerr Serign as they always travel to Serrekunda.

Alieu Jobe said that many of their people could not go to work in and around Serrekunda because there was no bus allocated to them.

“The government should look at the Kerr Serign community, especially in a situation like this.”

These people concluded by urging the government to allocate them buses. They said schools are almost open and many students are using the Serrekunda route.

By: Lamin Njie

Assistant Information Officer

Ministry of Transport

Mr. Sulayman Gaye, a Senior Planner, under the Directorate of Planning, of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, has been named among the top 10 best winners of an alumni award contest called “Tell us Your Story,” organized by The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), established in 1992 to share Singapore’s development experiences with government officials from 180 countries, territories and inter-governmental organizations.

Mr. Sulayman Gaye, Senior Planner, Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure

The SCP is managed by the Technical Cooperation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. In May 2022, the SCP celebrated 30 years of existence and as part of the celebrations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore contacted all the alumni of the SCP from the 180 countries and territories they cooperate with, to participate in the contest.

In this contest, alumni members were called to write a thesis about their experiences with the SCP and how those experiences shaped their professional development the in context of the public policy environment they operate under.

Mr. Sulayman Gaye was among those called to participate in the contest as an alumni member having been trained in Singapore in 2014.

As a winner of this contest, Mr. Gaye is currently in Singapore to attend the “Futures for Public Policy” Executive Programme from the 13 to 16 September 2022, to be held at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), of The National University of Singapore

By: Modou Touray

In the wake of the continuous increase in basic commodities and the high cost of living, private vehicle owners are forced to use their vehicles to carry passengers in order for them to take care of their economic needs.

Several privately licensed drivers have disclosed to The Fatu Network that their monthly income cannot sustain them and that the money accumulated from passengers helps to boast their income.

“I am a civil servant working in Banjul. I decided to use my vehicle at night and during weekends for the commercial town-trip service. The amount I gather helps me to cater for my household needs and buy enough fuel for my vehicle,” Lamin Jobe revealed.

High food and energy prices will affect the most vulnerable in society, especially in an extended family setting where most of their income is spent on food and clothing.

“Cost of everything is increasing, if you buy a cup of sugar for D10 today, the next day the price will increase to D12 or more. I was working at a local hotel as a receptionist, but my service is terminated due to a decline in the hotel’s earnings,” Ousman Jassey said.

A private vehicle refers to a motor vehicle transporting persons or property for which no charge is paid directly or indirectly by the passenger or by any other entity. In no instance shall a private vehicle be considered a commercial vehicle.

“I am a security officer with little earnings. I only depend on my monthly salary. I bought this vehicle when I newly return from Dafur, Sudan but I am broke now because all my money was spent on my house construction. I use my private vehicle to get money for minor family expenses,” A soldier, who begged for anonymity, told this medium.

Cost of living is the amount of money needed to cover basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare in a certain place and period. The cost of living is often used to compare how expensive it is to live in one city versus another. The cost of living is tied to wages.

Lamin Sarr is a businessman who also uses his private vehicle to demand fares from travellers.

“I am not making much profit in my business now, therefore I depend entirely on my private vehicle. I don’t give free rides now because maintaining a private vehicle is challenging.”

As the demand for a particular good or service increases, the available supply decreases. When fewer items are available, consumers are willing to pay more to obtain the item—as outlined in the economic principle of supply and demand.

“Fuel prices are costly, commercial drivers keep requesting more money from passengers. I took that chance to carry people when I am going to work in Kanifing. I use the money to add-up fuel and take care of other family needs,” Bakebba Nasso said.

“I took a loan from the bank to buy my vehicle, the bank is deducting some money every month from my salary and the balance is not much. The vehicle is meant to facilitate my daily travels to my workplace, but the high cost of living and economic hardship is forcing me to use it for commercial purposes.

The price of basic commodities is still unstable, and prices keep increasing meaning the average Gambia cannot afford their basic needs with little salaries without another source of income.