By: Karimatou Jallow

Commercial drivers at Manjai have called on government to implement the payment of license for five years instead of a year. They said the one-year license period is short for them to use it satisfactorily before renewal.

“The payment of license every year is not favourable because the period given is very short. Most of us commercial drivers do not own the vehicles we drive. Also, the gas oil is very expensive. In all of these, we have families to feed. That is why it’s very challenging for us to renew our licenses within an year,” said Ebrima Darbo, a commercial driver.

He urged the government to extend it to five years with an amount that will favour both divers and government.

Sulayman Sanneh, another driver, explained challenges of drivers in renewing licenses every year.

“We have been paying to renew our licenses every year but we are yet to see any development in the country as gas oil is expensive. We don’t have proper garage and the roads are not safe our vehicles and taxis. So, what is the reason for such payment as there is no development in the country, especially in the transportation sector. The government should find solution to these challenges. They should build garages for drivers, construct good roads and also give a reasonable price for the gas oil in the country.”

He said the one-year period doesn’t favour them, adding that it is short and affect their livelihood as they have families to take care of.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

A group of teachers, “Teachers For Change,” is set to register the group as a union of Gambian teachers distancing themselves from the umbrella teachers’ body, the Gambia Teachers Union.

The leadership of Teachers for Change (TFC) announced that the group will be registered as a legal entity within two months and members will stop paying union dues to Gambia Teachers Union upon registration.

“The Teachers For Change is to be registered as a union within a period of two months. After the registration, members of TFC will not pay any monthly due to the GTU without the consent of the members” they revealed.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, the Public Relations Officer of TFC, Alhasan Ceesay, said that TFC came into existence because of the failures of The Gambia Teachers Union. He claimed that the umbrella body of teachers in the country has failed.

“GTU has failed teachers woefully. It is a money-making institution to the detriment of struggling teachers.  It is a union that takes from its members monthly and never returned anything in form of welfare”, he asserted.

Pointing out the failures of the Gambia Teachers Union which he said Teachers For Change will work on, Ceesay said that the Gambia is the only country where teachers will not be paid for invigilating external examinations.

“GTU is watching as teachers are used as bait. In short, GTU doesn’t care except for bragging about how much they have amassed monetary digits while teachers’ situations look more dilapidated.

According to Mr Ceesay, TFC will uphold the dignity and respect teachers deserve in the country.

He added that Teachers For Change has a realistic national interest and will offer teachers a union that is malleable to the needs of its members.

The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) is the only recognised and legally established Union of Gambian teachers.  Teachers across the country in the government pay scale pay monthly union dues to the Union.

With the emergency of Teachers For Change to be registered and building in the lapses of GTU, teachers in the Gambia will be divided between GTU and TFC.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Binta Sey Jadama, National Disaster Management Agency’s (NDMA) Regional Director for West Coast has disclosed that fuel theft has been hindering the progress of demolishing structures constructed along waterways in Jabang.

She made these revelations during the minister of Local Government and Lands visit in Jabang this afternoon. The minister was on a field visit to several communities as he vowed to demolish all structures constructed on waterways.

“We have started demolishing structures constructed on waterways on waterways but fuel theft is hindering the progress. For the past two days, people steal over three hundred litters (300) of fuel in the Excavators,” she claimed.

It can be recalled that a week ago when the flood hit the country, the Vice President ordered the minister of lands to act on his mandate by ensuring all properties constructed on waterways are demolished.

Responding to these concerns, Buba Sanyang, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands said they will provide one hundred and fifty (150) litters for the work to continue.

“We will provide you with one hundred and fifty (150) litters for you to continue demolishing because it is not ideal for another rain to occur while the properties blocking waterways are not demolished,” he said.

However, Sheriff Aba Sanyang said his ministry will not relent in ensuring the right things are done for the safety of all. “We cannot allow this to continue while people continue suffering. All properties constructed on waterways will be demolished,” he emphasized.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The race for office at the Gambia Football Federation is heating up as the August 27th GFF election lies in the offing. Camps have been unveiled, manifestoes launched, allegations and accusations levied, and political promises have been pledged to sweeten voters’ ears and cajoled them into voting for either candidate.

It is Team Kaba versus team Restore Confidence as Lamin Kaba Bajo goes head-to-head with Sadibou Kamaso for the top GFF Job. United colleagues four years ago and divided rivals now. The nation’s football governing body will either see a continuation of leadership or, a new head of the federation on August 27.

Lamin Kaba Bajo, who served for 8 years and still seeking another four years, said he wants continuity of progress at GFF. The former minister and diplomat said he’s the best person to lead the affairs of Gambian football.

Quizzed about who between him and his opponent is the perfect fit to lead, Kaba said:

“I am a thousand per cent better in leading Gambian football.  Hundred thousand times better than Kamaso. My records are there. I don’t want things to go personal but if you look at his records and his football profile, that will tell you. From 2018, all the responsibilities he has in football, all the experiences he has in football management nationally, is thanks to my leadership and I am the one who appointed him to those positions,” he said.

However, Sadibou Kamaso, who went around convincing football stakeholders to vote for Lamin Kaba Bajo in 2018, has now changed colours and reckons that it is he who has the know-how and wherewithal to be the president of the Gambia Football Federation.

“I believe, with every fibre of my being, that I am the right candidate now. I have got the experience. I have got the energy. I have got the expertise and I understand the inner intricacies of how football is governed,” Kamaso told The Fatu Network.

As the election date draws close and football enthusiasts anticipate the results, an interesting event has unfolded.

Weeks ago, the Commission on Political Debate, a non-partisan group in the country’s football electoral affairs, announced that it will stage the first ever GFF Presidential debate, giving Gambia football zealots and stakeholders a glimmer of hope to see both Lamin Kaba Bajo and Sadibou Kamaso debating over policies in the presence of delegates and ordinary football lovers alike.

Mister Bajo, last month told the Fatu Network that he is open for a debate because he has much to say.

“I am hundred per cent ready for a debate but based on the need. I am the one who needs the votes of the stakeholders. I feel that going on an open debate will earn me their votes, of course, I will go.  If I don’t need it, I will not do it,” the GFF president said.

However, Surprisingly, to others and unsurprisingly to some, the incumbent Lamin Kaba Bajo and his team have declined to take part in the debate scheduled for August 13th.

Despite that, the Executive Director of the Commission on Political Debate, said they are hopeful that Lamin Kaba Bajo will reconsider his decision.

“We are optimistic that he might change his mind and his entire team to participate in the debate.

But Baboucarr Nani Sey, the campaign manager of Team Restore Confidence said, Kaba, is scared.

“Kaba is scared of the debate. He has no plans. No ideas and that is why we are into this mess”, he claimed.

Kaba will be assisted by his long-term allies, Bakary Jammeh and Ebou Faye, who are up for the first and second vice president positions.

Sadibou has Arthur and Red Scorpions Chero Mbenga  as his deputy one and two.

It remains to be seen if Lamin Kaba Bajo, the new WAFU Zone A president, will continue serving as the head of the country’s football governing body, or will his former campaign manager, Sadibou Kamaso, turn doubters into believers that it is time for change at the county’s football house. The 77 delegates will decide this on the 27th of August.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Justice Sidi K Jobarteh has set Thursday 11th August 2022 for ruling on the bail application filed by the defense in a manslaughter trial involving Sainabou Mbye and two others as both counsels argued for the judge to disregard the other’s submission.

The bail application was formally filed on Thursday 4th August 2022, however, the case was adjourned to the 9th and assigned to a vacation judge to determine whether the accused persons should be granted bail or otherwise.

Defense counsel, Sagarr Jahateh maintained their previous submission that her clients have no charges against them which, she said, meaning the State has no case and should therefore release the accused persons until they are ready.

“There is no reason why they are being detained at the Mile 2 prison,” Counsel Jahateh submitted.

According to the defense, the continued detention of Sainabou Mbaye and Co is a violation of their rights, referencing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter etc. to back up her claims.

She argued that the state has not been following the procedures.

“Despite the fact that this case has been adjourned under a few occasions, the applicants are still detained and there are no charges against them.

“This court must exercise its jurisdiction or powers to release them,” the defense counsel said.

The defense argued that the accused persons are being detained and treated at the Mile 2 prisons as if they are prisoners when in reality there is no charge against them.

“We all know that if the accused persons are granted bail now, there is nothing stopping the state from bringing fresh charges against them,” Sagarr told the court.

For his part, State counsel M Sowe argued that they have made it clear to the court that they needed two weeks to file their bill of indictment which he said the defense is aware of.

He said the charge of the case is a transfer case and the charge against the accused persons at the time of the transfer of the case remains the charge contrary to the claims of the defense that there are no charges.

“The averments [of the defense] should be disregarded,” counsel Sowe said.

The State counsel told the court they could not even make head or tail of what the defense wanted, describing their submission as a “misstatement of facts.”

“I don’t even know whether the applicant wants bail or they are talking about the legality of the detention.

“The applicant cannot seek the discretion of the court if they are not being honest,” M Sowe told the court, adding that the court should turn a deaf ear to the defense’s submission.

“At least, they have not been truthful to the court. They don’t deserve the discretion of the court,” state counsel said.

The case was adjourned to Thursday, 11th of August 2022 at 11 a.m for ruling on the bail application.

By: Karimatou Jallow

Almost every household in The Gambia uses wood for cooking, however, wood sellers at Latrikunda German have lamented some of the challenges they face during the rainy season.

“These woods are coming from different places and very far destinations and because of that, we face lots of challenges on our way, because we pay some amount of money at each checkpoint we arrived at or else we will not be allowed into the country. Moreover, the roads are also not good enough for our vehicles which is why we spend days before reaching our destination,” Mamajang Kurubally said.

Kurubally said they do not have a safe place or a store to keep their woods and that the place they currently keep their woods is not secure as anyone can have access to it without their knowledge. He went on to say whenever it rains, they gain less profit because most customers do not buy the woods.

“We call on the government to reduce the tax payment because the amount of money we spend at every checkpoint is huge and it is from this business we feed our families and pay our children’s school fees,” he added.

“Things have changed now; before we use to buy a pile of wood for two thousand dalasis (D2000) but now we are buying it for three thousand dalasis (D3000). Nobody knows what is happening in this country because everyday things are becoming expensive and more challenging and authorities are not taking any action. If the government does not take any action to control the price of goods in the country, then I see no development in this country,” Samba Ceesay said.

He said the roads are not safe for their vehicles which is why they spend days or weeks before arriving at their destinations. He said they also don’t have a secure place to keep their woods which is why they are always affected whenever it rained because customers will not buy their woods, which doesn’t favour them,” he said.

Ceesay calls on the authorities to reduce tax as they are also businessmen who are looking for profit and also have families to feed.

The rest also give the same statements by calling on the government to help reduce the tax levied against them so that they will buy it at a low price and have profit at the end of the day.

By: Dawda Baldeh  

Following the massive destruction caused by flooding across the country from 30th to 31st July, which has hundreds of families homeless, residents of Banjul Tobacco Street who were not spared by the flood urged the government to regulate rent and build waterways to enable water to move freely to avoid reoccurrence of flooding.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Penda Faal, a flood victim, said they are living in a difficult situation with their families as they watched the flood destroy all their belongings, adding that they have no place to call home.

“We lost everything in the flood and we are left with nothing. Our children are not going to school and we don’t have a place to sleep.”

Mrs Bah said she has nobody to support her in this difficult moment of her life. “I lost my son who was the only one supporting me who died while embarking on the journey to Europe. My condition is devastating, and I am only hoping that Allah will help us. The rent is now too expensive for people like me who have no support. The less you can pay for rent is two thousand five hundred dalasis (D25, 000). We urged the government and philanthropists to help us so that we can also live a normal life,” she lamented.

Yeddel Bah, another flood victim, also confirmed that their homes are occupied with stagnant water which is making life more difficult for them. She said they have lost valuables in the flood including; Food items, TVs, Mattresses, Cloths, Fridges, books, and documents among others.

“The water has now developed an unpleasant odour in our rooms, we really need help for the sake of Allah,” she added.

Mrs Bah further disclosed that her children are not going to school due to the current situation they are living in. “We are really devastated and we need support. My children’s education and a place to sleep is my main concern now because we want them to be educated so that they can take care of us.

My husband has been sick for many years and I am the breadwinner of the family. The flood has taken us back to scratch, we lost everything. I was selling ice to generate income to pay school fees for my children and also to provide meals for the family and now that fridge has been spoiled.”

Kaddijatou Jallow, another victim, emphasized the need for government to put in strong mechanisms to regulate rent in the country, saying it is affecting low-income earners. “We cannot afford to go anywhere to pay rent because it is very expensive and we all know how expensive the markets are at the moment”, disclosing that their houses are no longer fit to accommodate people.

“People are increasing the rent every day while they are not renovating the houses. Many landlords are only interested in the money and the wellbeing of their tenants.”

According to her, poor people are the most vulnerable in this difficult situation because they cannot afford rent. Now, people are asked to pay six months as an advance payment for rent and this is very expensive.

Maimuna Gassama also joined other flood victims in the call for the government to regulate the rent and give them the necessary support. She said life has been extremely difficult for them since the flood occurred. Like other families, Ms Gassama has also lost all her house belonging to the flood. She described the flood as devastating, adding that it has given them sleepless nights.

Over three hundred flood victims have been stationed at St. Augustine Senior Secondary School in Banjul where they are provided with food and shelter by the Gambia Red Cross with support from partners.

The flood victims expressed their profound gratitude to Hon. Modou Lamin Bah, National Assembly Member for Banjul North, the Red Cross volunteers, mayor of Banjul Rohey Malick Lowe, and the National Disaster Management Agency for their timely intervention.

By: Modou Touray

The principal of Al-Huda Quranic Memorization School in Farato, Oustas Saikou Fatajo, has told The Fatu Network in an exclusive interview that lessons have been suspended as a result of a fire outbreak. Electrical fault was said to be the cause of the fire.

According to him, pupils were asked to go home hence teaching, learning and other materials were destroyed.

“The fire started around 1pm shortly before the Friday congregational prayers. I was away and other teachers and students had gone to the mosque. Beds, mattress, suitcases containing clothes of children were all burnt. The only clothes left with the children is the one they put on at the time of going to the mosque.”

The principal further said that 30 children are accommodated in the shelter which the fire ravaged. It contains valuable materials normally brought to the school by parents.

The exact value of the damage is yet to be established, but the principal estimated approximately that more than half a million dalasi is required to repair the damages and replace other appliances as well as teaching and learning materials.

“We did the preliminary estimation concerning the amount of money required to repair the building and other things. It’s a lot of money but we calculated more than half a million dalasis. It might even be more than that.”

Few teachers housed at the school now use the school mosque as a temporary shelter.

“Our school is a boarding school. The fire outbreak has affected the leaning process because lessons have been interrupted. For now, we are not sure when we will resume because people are making promises, but fulfilment is another thing.”

Principal Fatajo appealed for urgent support hence the school administration lacks the financial strength to take care of the cost involved in restoring the destroyed properties.

“We are requesting for assistance both in cash and in kind from government, organizations and individuals so that we can resume as soon as possible”

An emergency response team from the red cross Brikama branch visited the scene on Friday and offered first-aid support, carried out by Red Cross branch head, Mr Sheriffo Mbye, and his team of volunteers.

“The Red Cross gave us praying mates and a ballot of second-hand clothes.”

According to Lamin Mbye, an electrician, fire outbreaks caused by electricity is normally due to faulty electrical outlets or worn-out sockets that are not properly grounded. He added that as outlets and switches get older, the wiring behind them wear out as well, causing fire incidents.

Fire outbreak, he said, is a sudden increase in fire and if not properly controlled can destroy lives and properties.

Quranic memorization centres nurture children to fully understand the holy Quran at an early stage. One of the reasons for boarding is to enable children to concentrate, thereby making teaching and leaning fast and effective.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

Edrisa Janko, a teacher at Model Senior Secondary school in Busumbala said the government has always been discriminating against teachers in terms of remuneration.

Mr Janko’s statements are a result of the Revised Estimated Budget which was tabled by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy Keita in the first extra-ordinary session in the 2022 Legislative Year seeing a 30% Salary Increment in the Civil Service.

“We have always been discriminated. Let’s look at the gap that exists between low-income earners and high-income earners and then translate this into a mathematical concept, you will realize that it is the higher salary earners whose wages have been increased and not the low-income earners.”

Mr Janko further states that 30% of his basic salary is D1000 dalasis. He said when compared to the basic salaries of the President, Ministers and some top government officials, 30% of their basic salaries are more than his annual wages.

He said this 30% increment is making the rich richer and the poor poorer.

In the same vein, Ebriama KB Sonko, a teacher, also laments the 30% increment while expressing disappointment.

“What I was expecting was a massive payment, that’s what the government promised but what I ended up getting is a D1,500 salary increment when we have markets where prices of goods and commodities are skyrocketing.

What was promised was not a 30% increment in salary but a total overhaul of the pay scale with the introduction of a new

one that will uplift the living standards of the civil servants. That’s what Adama Barrow and his government promised Gambians, not salary increments,” he stressed.

Modou Jawo, also a teacher, described the 30% increment as a means of gaining political points.

“I am disappointed because the scale and structuring that was widely circulated were just meant to sugar-coat a political ambition or for political gains.”

Mr Jawo added that the impact of this percentage increment is nothing but a very negative one.

Stating that, the prices of food and house rent have been increasing in triplets because the expectations were that, the July salary will rescue and uplift a little burden on all especially the civil servants and those dependent on them. But all was camouflage or a total scam. A betrayal of trust and all hopes shattered, he lamented.

He stresses that all promises made about the increment were all false.

“My expectation was really huge. This was a result of the lies that were circulated to all media outlets. From new pay scale proposals with huge amounts, PMO reviews, parliamentary reviews, executive approval and the likes were all tantamount to zero and senseless wastage of state resources on meaningless workshops, seminars, and training on the new grading and pay scale restructuring. Where has it taken us? To the bin.”

Modou Jawo finally said, he had no hopes and does not pray to serve the system for even another year.

Mrs Ramatoulie Gaye, another teacher, said the 30% increment cannot solve the least of her problems.

“D900 is being added to my salary, I was hoping that this increment would change the living standard of teachers, but to tell you the truth, this increment cannot solve the least of my problems.”

Mrs Gaye said she has been teaching for 30 years, coping and hoping that change would come. In her view, teachers are the least important when it comes to the government.

On the other hand, Fatou Mbaye Sarr said she is content with the D500, which is being added to her salary.

“For me, the money is not the issue but the attitude of the government towards the teaching field, teaching is by far the most important profession but little or no respect is accorded to us. A proper structure and standard pay which was promised to us but what we received is a totally different thing.”

By: Jankey Touray

During her second day visit to the flood victims in Banjul, Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe on Saturday 7^th August 2022 expressed her disappointment with the Banjul road contractor.

Speaking to this medium, Mayor Lowe said she is hopeful that after this, the government will consult the local authorities before taking any decision, as one cannot go to someone’s house without informing the landlord.

She said that she has called the contractor about the work at the beginning of the road project and the contractor responded that he has nothing to discuss with her, which left her disappointed. Mayor Lowe added that she later went to the Ministry and had a discussion of the project showing him that there are machines that were included in the project to be bought which has not been bought and that they also discussed that a problem will arise as there is a risk Banjul would flood which the minister told her that he will get to the matter and seeing the ministers step proves that he will get to it.

“The people who say the custodians of the project is the Banjul City Council, you cannot say the Banjul city council is not among and then if Rohey Malick Lowe starts to talk you got angry and say that she is always in a position to talk back at critics. One thing is that being a woman among men, running a city and people looking down on you is hard. So, to the people saying I talk back at people, I do not have that time because I have a city to run and my people need me and I cannot sit back without saying or doing anything.” Said, Mayor Lowe.

Speaking further, the Banjul mayor went on to say she has never taken credit from the Central Government to say she is the one rehabilitating the Banjul roads, however, roads the Council has worked on are the ones she always speaks about for future reference, adding that if you are a politician and you want to just keep quiet, then you should leave politics because people cannot vote for you and you remain silent while they are suffering and dying.

She went on to say there should be a steering committee in every project, just like the EU project where they have a steering committee to oversee the work; adding that, she had formed a shadow Steering Committee who were also engineers and elders of Banjul to help guide the project. However, they wrote to her that the project was none of her business, which leads to the flood in Banjul, she claimed.

“If I were in the position of the President, I would have called the contractor, Council, and the Mayor and told them this is how I want to work from now on, but they are the only ones who know what they are hiding and that is none of my business. My only interest is for them to show me a project document, which is what I have been asking them for because that is what will tell how many roads are to be built, how many centimetres, who the technician are, the supervision, and the one surveying the project with the sketch plans and so on which they denied me access, why?”

She emphasized that what is painful serving as a mayor to almost the end of your tenure and you still cannot access a project document that was built under your term. She said when the project started some people were against her and discerning her views of the project, which led them to where they are today, indicating it was politicized.

She said collective responsibility is essential in running a nation. Arguing that there was a lot of money spent on the project and that people were not expecting floods in the Capital.

Responding to opinions that there should have been a method put into place by the Council to avoid flooding before it happens, the mayor said when the project came it was spelt out that drainage, sewage, and road construction were all packaged and given to one person and that person is not part of the Council. “What do they want the council to do?” she asked.

She explained that she cannot give out a token that she does not have for quick disaster response and that she has gone through the right protocols to tell the President her findings. She said she is not in direct contact with the President and she cannot force herself to have direct contact with the President as the President gave his direct contact to those he wishes.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Momodou A Jawo, Regional Vector Control Officer in Basse, at the National Malaria Control Unit under the Ministry of Health described malaria as a deadly disease, saying they want to eliminate malaria in the Gambia as other countries did.

As part of their efforts to eliminate malaria, the malaria control unit has embarked on a campaign by distributing bed nets and house spraying in the Upper River Region (URR). These are programs geared toward eliminating malaria.

Mr Jawo said the campaign to eliminate malaria is very significant. “We are spraying houses where people sleep to stop the mosquitos. We have given bed nets to all the households in the Upper River Region.

We also have the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) which is given to children between three to fifty-nine months (3-59). The government is also conducting health promotion to create awareness among people so they can prevent themselves from malaria,” he said.

The campaign to eliminate malaria is in three phases; which include bed net distribution, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), officials said.

Mr Jawo buttresses the importance of all these stages in the fight to eliminate malaria. “All these stages are very important because it will help to stop the spread of the mosquitos’ bite which causes malaria,” he added.

He said the communities have been supportive since the campaign started. “We are the servants of the people so if you are within the people you should know that you are their servant and do what they want.

The campaign is in the interest of the public and we want people to take ownership of the campaign because health is everyone’s business.”

Omar Jallow, a Public Health Officer at Basse District Hospital also emphasized the need for people to campaign to eliminate malaria. He disclosed that URR was recording a high number of malaria cases before the beginning of the campaign but noted that it has now been reduced. Mr Jallow described malaria as a ‘seasonal disease’, saying it can be eliminated.

“Most of the cases are recorded between June and October. The country is still recording malaria cases this is why we have distributed bed nets to several communities to help prevent them from the mosquito bite,” he highlighted.

The Long Lasting Insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) campaigns led by the national malaria control unit intended to reduce the burden of malaria by distributing free LLIN to households.

The campaign to eliminate malaria has been described as an important approach to combat the spread of malaria annually. “It will reduce the lifespan of the mosquitos which causes malaria.

The program has registered significant achievement because it has reduced the rate of recorded malaria cases in the region,” Omar Jallow added.

Lamin Jammeh, data collector at the Ministry of Health said, they are collecting data to keep the information for future plans. “Through the data, the ministry will know what it has achieved and what more need to be done.

Data collection is key in the campaign because it will definitely help us. Without data, it will be very difficult to know who has benefited and the achievement recorded,” he noted.

However, Mr Jammeh said they are faced with network problems in collecting data in many parts of the country. Every day we send the information collected but this is really challenging.”

Ousainou Mahanera, Councilor of Gambisara Ward in Gimara Constituency, said the distribution of bed nets and spraying of the houses has reduced malaria cases in the region.

He added that the program is very important and urged his people to give chance to the health workers to spray their houses.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitos.

According to WHO, Gambia is one of the six countries in the World Health Organization African Region that have achieved the 2020 milestones of reducing malaria cases and deaths by 40% compared to 2015.

By: Modou Touray 

Women vegetable gardeners at Jarra Jenoi have told The Fatu Network that they cannot carry out their routine gardening effectively due to the intrusion of salt water in their gardens.

According to soil experts, saltwater intrusion leads to loss of freshwater and spread saline mudflats into previously vegetated areas.

Sainabou Saidykhan, the president of Jenoi Women Gardeners, disclosed that most of her colleague gardeners have abandoned their gardens and are reluctant to continue vegetable gardening because of the adverse impact of the salt water on their gardens.

“The women want the problem to be solved. I always encourage them to come over, but due to the current condition of their gardens, it’s hard to convince them. It pains to cultivate vegetables and they eventually fail to grow due to the saltwater intrusion.”

The women leader pointed out that the garden they are using belongs to the neighboring settlement of Pakalinding. “We are very grateful to the people of Pakalinding, especially Buwa Kinteh who asked his people to jointly share the garden with us.”

She emphasized that the issue of saltwater intrusion has been affecting them for the past 4 years.

Saltwater intrusion occurs when storm surges or high tides overlays areas low in elevation. Salt water infiltrates fresh water and raises the groundwater table below soil surface.

“We decided to grow onions because it’s one of the salt-tolerant vegetables.”

Salt- tolerant vegetables are more able to absorb water from saline soil. Salt sensitive plants and vegetables have a limited ability to adjust to accommodate the effects of salt intrusion.

“We will be happy if we have another environment big and fertile enough to address our current major challenge. We are looking forward to seeing it solved. we are managing to grow few vegetables. This is our source of income.”

She suggested the construction of borehole to flush saltwater from their vegetable garden. “The current borehole was damaged and the women contributed some money to repair it. The cost for the materials and labor was high.”

She called for support from government institutions involved in the vegetable value chain to assist them.

The Fatu Network contacted Mr Ebou Jorbateh, an agricultural extension officer who advised them to relocate the garden.

“It’s difficult to cleanse saltwater from the garden. Most of these problems occur during identification of land for a vegetable garden. Before identifying land, you need to consult soil scientists or agric officials to check the land so that they will advise if it is ideal for agricultural purpose,” Mr. Jorbateh said.

Mr Jorbateh disclosed that there is currently no equipment available with them to clear the already polluted salt water.

Agricultural extension officers are intermediaries between researchers and farmers. They operate as facilitators and communicators, helping farmers in their decision-making and ensuring that appropriate knowledge is implemented to obtain the best results with regard sustainable production and general rural development.

By: Modou Touray

The regional director of agriculture in the Lower River Region (LRR), Mr Momodou Lamin Darboe, has admitted that some farmers in his region could not cultivate their crops on time due to delay in accessing tractors. He is worried that the impact might affect crop yields, thereby impeding efforts to attain food self-sufficiency.

“Our hope is to produce enough food for the country so that we will not rely on imported rice. Secondly, prices of basic food commodities will reduce.”

He said several farmers, especially those engaged in commercial agriculture, depend on modern ploughing tools.

“The number of tractors for ploughing is inadequate and cannot provide the ploughing needs of farmers in the Lower River Region. This has a negative impact on the growth of crops, particularly rice in this rainy season.”

The Lower River Region stretches from Kiang Jataba to Jarra Pakaliba. Sankandi to Kemoto is about 50 kilometers off the main road with a huge farming population. Most of the remote rural settlements depend on crop cultivation for their survival. Tractors enhance timely and large cultivation of crops.

“Some of the farmers who ploughed early after the first and second rainfall are at an advantage because their crops are performing well. Unfortunately, there was a few weeks of dry which affected farmers severely,” Mr Darboe added.

According to him, their general technical advice to farmers is to quickly plough and start cultivation after the first heavy rainfall.

“If tractors are not enough for farmers it will be impossible to do their agricultural activities as scheduled.”

Mr Darboe further stated that his office provided support to rural farmers by providing them with seeds at the start of the rainy season.

“As a regional office, we provide rice, maize and other commonly grown seed varieties to farmers.

The regional agriculture office is not only providing seeds but also routinely embarking on monitoring visits to farms. We monitor the performance of crops which enables us to ascertain their progress level and give technical advice where necessary.”

Reacting to challenges of individual farmers, Mr. Darboe was announced that some supports are available at the agricultural department which farmers could use to boast their farming.

Farmers in the rural areas especially in the lower river region faces many challenges which the overseer body, the region Agric Director struggles to solve.

Mr Momodou Lamin Darboe was speaking as a keynote speaker at a two-day media training organized by the Network of Agricultural Communicators (NAC) the Gambia and the Gambia Press Union. The training aimed to build the capacity of agricultural reporters on agricultural communication, networking, and story angling with reporting techniques.

The capacity enhancement will help the journalists to better report on agriculture which will help farmers direct their challenges to relevant authorities in that way to enhance agricultural development.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Sub inspector Seedy Gibba, who was said to have involved in a motorcycle accident while on duties in Farafenni on 13 February 2021, has claimed that the police are neglecting him after being sick for more than a year.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Gibba said he was posted at Farafenni where he got involved in an accident.

“We were on operation to stop undocumented motorcycles operating in Farafenni and several people were apprehended. I was escorting one boy to the station whose motorcycle was arrested during the operation. It was not safe for me to ride because he might accuse me of anything.

So, I ask him to ride to the station while I was seated at the back and when we approach the station, he speeded off and took a different route because he was trying to escape. Unfortunately, he ran into and hit a truck that was packed off the road and we fell on the ground. I sustained fracture on my hip and upper thighbone. I was rushed to Farafenni hospital and was later referred to Banjul.

In Banjul, I was scanned and confirmed to have double fracture. The hospital recommended me for a surgery which cost sixty thousand dalasi (60,000), an amount I cannot afford,” he explained.

Gibba noted that he asked the doctor to prepare him the medical bill which he took to the police for assistance saying that he got the injury while on duties.

He added that the said medical bill was given to police commissioner Kinteh at the police medic whom he said later informed him that he had sent the bill to the registry at the headquarters.

“I went to the registry to make follow up and they also told me that the bill was taken to the Health Ministry. In all of these back forth, I have not heard anything from the police even after making several follow ups. The police are not making any follow up to help me,” he cried out.

He said the police asked him to continue making follow-up but noted that the serious body pain cannot allow him to be making such continuous follow-ups.

“I cannot walk without using crotches and now I don’t have anything. I got this injury while in the police, but they are neglecting me.”

Sub Inspector Gibba is a husband of two wives and a father of five children and also the breadwinner of his family.

He called on people to help him regain his health so that he can provide food for his family. “I really need help to regain my health so that I can work to sustain my family because I don’t have anyone to help me.”

However, the police Public Relation Officer has been contacted for response but could not be reached.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Defense counsel, Sagarr Jahateh has objected to the calling of her clients “the accused persons” in the ongoing case of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) vs Sainabou Mbaye and two others at the Banjul High Court, saying they are just applicants.

“My Lord, I will not agree with that. We do not have any accused persons before this court,” defense counsel Jahateh said, replying to Justice Jaiteh, who said to her, “no, let’s say the accused persons” after introducing herself as representative of the applicant.

“It is okay. We have a transfer file. You have made an application; you understand? So that is why we are dealing with the first part of it,” Jaiteh told her.

The defense argued that the remand order made by the Magistrate has expired because the case is now before the High Court.

Sagarr continued that her clients are not accused persons because there is no case from the IGP.

“The fact of the matter is we are here for the original summon which is the application that you have made. We only have applicants here; we don’t have accused persons here.

“We have not received any indictment and there are no charges against the accused persons. So, therefore, I will take objections to the announcement of this case as IGP vs the accused persons,” defense counsel, Jahateh said, adding that: “I don’t even think my lord has the power to further remand them any further in Mile 2 prison.”

The counsel for the prosecution, M.B Sowe rose to tell the court he was surprised to have heard the defense counsel say the court lacks jurisdiction and the State cannot appear in the case, citing section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“So far as it’s transferred from a court that did not have the jurisdiction to this honourable court, sections 62 makes it clear that a charge that was previously before the Magistrate Court and that is before this court could both be treated for all intents and purposes,” the prosecution submitted.

The case was adjourned to 9th August 2022.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Sainabou and co continue to be remanded at the Mile 2 prisons as Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court announced he would hand back to the Chief Justice the application filed by the defense seeking bail for their clients (Sainabou and others).

“In view of the fact that I will be out of the jurisdiction next week, I hereby return this miscellaneous application for bail to the Honourable Chief Justice for reassignment to a vacation judge,” Justice Jaiteh said.

It could be recalled that the defense counsels were asked to file formally after the court rejected their oral application for the accused persons be to granted bail in their first appearance before the High Court on Wednesday, 3rd August 2022.

It is that application they filed formally and served the prosecution as suggested to them by Justice Jaiteh but the prosecution told the court they could not file their opposition to it. They have up to eight days to file their affidavit against the application.

“We are yet to file our affidavit which we intend to do either before the end of business today or Monday first thing in the morning. I, therefore, crave the indulgence of this court to give us time to file today or Monday,” M B Sowe told the Court.

The defense counsel reminded the court that it was agreed the time is to be abridged citing the “urgency” of the matter.

“So, if we could have a quick date. If my Lord could transfer this case to the vacation judge so we could have a date early next week, so we can proceed with the application,” defense counsel Sagarr Jahateh asked.

The prosecution replied that “that is okay with us” and suggested they can even serve the defense the hard copy of their affidavit “counsel to counsel.”

The Judge agreed and ordered both the prosecution and defense to serve their affidavit and processes respectively to each other; counsel to counsel.

“The respective counsels are urged to file their processes before the next adjourned date and ensure that the processed files are made available to the court,” Justice Jaiteh said.

By: Modou Touray

Ebrima Manka is a farmer who specializes in groundnut cultivation on a large scale. He is a resident of Kembujeh-Mandina in Kombo Central District, West Coast Region.

In his first-ever media interview, Mr Manka speaks to The Fatu Network about his challenges as a seasoned farmer in the Gambia.

“This is the first time I have had access to a media interview. I have been engaged in groundnut cultivation since I was a child. There are many hindrances to my farming but lack of modern farming tools is my main problem,” Manka laments.

Modern tools for effective groundnut production are a key determinant for higher yield. Ebrima’s farmland is huge but that does not stop him, with the help of his family, to use manual labour to weed the farm every year.

“My farm is large; it takes me time to weed the entire farm. It would have been more effective and convenient with the availability of modern farming implements. Manual labour requires time and more energy compared to the use of farming tools which is more proper,” he said.

Weeds are unwanted grass which grows amongst the crops. The normal growth of a crop would be slow for the fact that they compete with planted crops with sunlight and soil nutrients.

“Weeds make our crops grow slowly. If you don’t have the proper tools to uproot them, it affects the timely maturity of your crops. The more time I use my simple tool to weed, the more my yield drops,” he bemoans.

Ebrima Manka and his family spend more time weeding their groundnut farmland daily.

“Sometimes if it rains heavily, our weeded grasses regrow. I am a farmer who grows crops regularly but the lack of support for modern tools is a major obstacle.”

He uses his agricultural produce for both commercial purposes and home consumption. Although he is not making much savings to buy costly modern farming tools, instead he takes care of his domestic expenses. “If your family is large, it’s difficult to have savings,” Manka noted.

This issue is not only peculiar to Ebrima but most low-income farmers in the Gambia also endure similar situations.

Besides the need for tools, land for groundnut production is another challenge for him. He discloses to this medium that his farm is located on a piece of land which belongs to the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).

“I was informed by some officials that I am using their land but I negotiated with them to allow me to farm here until the time they will need it. Previously, I farm in the Nyanbikala area but there is an increase in housing for residential purposes in that area. Owners of that area now sold it for settlements. The area is already demarcated and buildings are being erected. Our farmlands get narrow yearly.”

The availability of land for agriculture and market gardening is limited in urban settlements due to scarcity of land. This is threatening the flourishing of agricultural production and productivity. Hence lawsuits on land disputes are magnifying, and farmers in the urban areas remain cautious.

Groundnut is a crop which usually requires a minimum of 3 months to mature depending on the variety planted

Experts recommend that sandy soil with less clay is the most ideal area for groundnut cultivation.

Groundnut production seems to be on the decline in the Gambia which is attributed to multiple factors including limited land resources and proper farming tools.

Helping to Make a Difference (HMD) charity foundation on Tuesday 2^nd August 2022 donated medical and mobility aid items worth over Six Hundred Thousand Dalasi (D600,000) to the Tanjie Health Center (over D200,000) and Kuntaya Health Center (over 400,000) in the North Bank Region.

The donated items include delivery beds, trolleys, wheelchairs, crutches, adjusted stools, zimmer frames, under the bed support, shower chairs, mobile commodes, brown static commodes, over the bed tables and mattresses.

Handing over the items to both public health facilities, Executive Director of HMD, Saihou Balajo said the donation is part of the organization’s continuous kind gestures in making a difference in the lives of people through charity.

“The government cannot do it alone. We all have a part to play in positively transforming the lives of people and contribute to national development,” Mr. Balajo said.

The over D600,000 worth of hospital equipment was received by the Alkalo of Tanjie, Village Development Community (VDC) chairman, Governor of North Bank Region, religious and community leaders and the management of both Tanjie Health Center and Kuntaya Health Center. They all expressed similar appreciation to the charity foundation, describing the donation as “timely, appropriate, needed and helpful.”

Thousands of people depend on the two health facilities for healthcare. However, the health centers are said to have been constrained in having the donated items.

Helping to Make a Difference (HMD) charity foundation has been engaging in providing food, clothing and shelter for homeless people; constructing borehole water facilities in poor communities; feeding street and vulnerable children; giving young offenders a second chance; providing support for persons with disability, among others.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Two Senegalese have been arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrate Court for allegedly conspiring and stealing from a motor vehicle contrary to sections 368 and 256 respectively of the Criminal Code.

The 1st accused, Mustapha Njie and 2nd accused, Mbye Njie are charged on 2 counts of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing from a motor vehicle an IPhone SR worth D18,500 in Serekunda Bambo on 27th of July, 2022.

They pleaded not guilty to the two charges which attracts a 7-year imprisonment.

The first witness of the prosecution, Muhammad Jawara who is the victim, told court that he was driving in a congested traffic in Serekunda when the first accused knocked the door of his car and told him, “you are hurting me.”

He continued that he glanced to the other side but couldn’t see the phone.

The witness told the court: “I stopped the vehicle, grab his (the first accused) shirt and asked him to give me my phone. He said to me ‘search me whether you will see any phone’.”

He told court that a Nigerian man pointed at the second accused telling him he was the one in possession of the phone. “Another man got hold of him (the second accused) as he tried to run,” the witness added.

The two accused persons who are charged with conspiracy to commit felony, denied ever knowing each other. The first accused said his knocking of the door was to ask for lift.

“I asked him (the driver) to lift me to Westfield but he said he was going to a mechanic. All of a sudden I saw him open the door only to asked me not to move,” Mustapha Njie, the first accused said.

The second accused told court he was selling along the road and saw a crowd running after someone.

The person threw the phone to where I was standing. I picked the phone and said: is this the phone?” That was how they grip me and said I was the thief,” second accused, Mbye Njie told court.

Sub Inspector Jammeh, representing the IGP objected granting bail to the accused persons citing their notoriety in Serekunda.

However, Magistrate Jabang overruled the prosecution’s objection and granted the accused persons bail in the sum of D150,000 with three Gambian sureties.

The case was adjourned to the 23rd and 24th of August 2022.

By: Modou Touray

Vendors of Giboro-Kuta market in the Kombo East District, West Coast Region have told this medium that their market has become very tight and unaccommodating for them and buyers. They are calling on authorities to expand or relocate the market as they and other women who have expressed interest in starting small businesses in the market cannot fit in.

The Fatu Network engaged some vendors of the Giboro-Kuta market to know the challenges the face in earning a living and also catering for the market demands of people in the locality.

Maimuna Nyassi, who sells porridge in the morning, dilated on how she struggles to sell on the bare ground. “I sell food and by safety standards, I should not place it on the ground and sell to customers. Preferably, I need a canteen to sell such food. That is more hygienic,” She said.

Saku Mbye and Faye Manka both called on government’s intervention to provide a better market that can accommodate a lot of vendors and buyers. They noted that the rapid increase of vendors in the small market space has made life and business very challenging for them.

Adama Njie, a vendor dealing in vegetables, narrated his ordeal. “As you can see, I am sitting on the ground. I endure this hard condition daily.”

With the hope of making more profit to cater for her family’s daily upkeep, Adama bears the current conditions with the hope that things will improve someday.

Awa Njie, a fish vendor, complained of lack of refrigerator to preserve her fish.

“I preserve my fish at home and carry it to the market because there is no facility for that at the market. My house is far from the market; therefore, I often face difficulties especially whenever customers demand large quantity of fish.”

She said it will be easier for her to supply the market with abundant fish if she gets a shop in the market that can house her refrigerator. “In that way, my fish will not spoil easily,” she noted.

Another vendor, Tako Kebbeh, shared similar challenges, while pleading for urgent solutions; saying that more women intend doing small business at the market but are however being challenged by the small size of the market.

Because of the small space and other poor conditions of the market, vendors at Giboro-Kuta market are sometimes compelled by situations to carry their wares to the regional administrative capital, Brikama and sell fast at the Brikama market. They have to cover some distance to access the Brikama market.

Binta Jallow said: “Some customers feel angry because most of the basic ingredients for cooking are not available here. We definitely want to sell what they need but there is no enough space to place the demanded items.”

In her reaction, the deputy chairperson of the Giboro-Kuta market committee, Kumba Jallow, confirmed that the committee is fully aware of the limited market space, reiterating that they need a bigger space.

“The current market space can only accommodate between 30-50 vendors. Two vendors share a table, making it difficult for vendors with huge items. The committee is always in consultation with the village authorities to expand the market,” he explained.

Mr Jallow called on vendors to be patient as the situation will be tackled.

The Alkalo of Giboro-Kuta, Sheriffo Jatta, was quick to reveal plans to relocate the market to a spacious area on the main highway that befits modem market status.

Giboro-Kuta settlement is growing rapidly in population which is largely due to people moving from the densely populated urban settlements to the area. Bigger market space, adequate water supply, among other continue to be challenging.