By: Modou Touray

Victims of last year’s flash flood at Brikama Jambar Sanneh neighborhood are calling for emergency support to reconstruct their destroyed houses.

Malang Manneh, a household head of an affected compound, spoked extensively on the devastating impact of last year’s heavy rainfall on his livelihood.

“Life has not been easy since the collapse of our house last year due to flash flood. At the time of the disaster, my family members were inside the house but quickly escaped unharmed.”

Mr Manneh could not ascertain the monetary value of the destruction in his household but said their beds, chairs, clothes and other valuables were all destroyed beyond repair.

“The beds we were using each cost more than D5,000 and the chairs were costly too. Currently, I stay with my family at Brikama Kunta-Kinteh at a temporal residence which we rent. The collapse of our house made us homeless.”

He pleaded for supports to enable his family return to their home which was destroyed by the flash flood.

Malang Manneh is a carpenter and his carpentry workshop is situated at the same premises. Malang’s residence is located on the new 400-meters highway being constructed by the Brikama Area Council.

Apart from Malang, Bubacarr Gisseh is also a household head in the affected compound. He is a radio mechanic who also moved with his family to Brikama-Madina in a temporal settlement.

“We are homeless. The temporal structure we currently occupy is not spacious. We are just like homeless people. I am appealing for assistance, because looking at the economic situation, its not easy. I am very traumatized by this situation. I have been doing some maintenance work here, but due to the location of the house, it’s difficult to avert such destructions. We welcome the construction of the new highway in Jambar Sanneh which we hope will minimize such problem often caused by flash floods.”

Mr Gisseh’s family members are scattered due to lack of a bigger house to accommodate all of them.

There are other affected persons who we could not speak to, however, some of their household materials destroyed were shown to this medium.

Jambar-Sanneh neighborhood is headed by “Alkalo” Dembo Karang Nyima Bojang. His son, Abdou Magid Bojang, is currently executing his function as head of the locality.

In his reaction to the plights of victims, Mr Bojang confirmed the incident and said the head of the settlement is fully aware of the unfortunate collapse of their house.

“When it occurred, we were aware and assessment was conducted. The problem was that submission of the list of disaster victims to regional disaster office was late. That was what affected the support package for some victims in our locality.”

This medium quickly contacted the regional disaster office in West Coast Region concerning the issue, however, we were informed that the issue is subjected to verification by checking whether victims complaining are captured in their database.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia (DLEAG) operatives, stationed in the Lower River Region (LRR), on Friday 29th July 2022 arrested a drug trafficker with suspected cannabis sativa concealed in plastic buckets containing groundnut paste.

The burst caused the discovery of suspected prohibited drugs concealed amongst bags of onions by DLEAG operatives stationed in Sibanor, WCR.

According to Ousman Saidybah, the PRO of DLEAG, the arrest and similar other recent landmark seizures including the seizure of kush happened at the heels of a special operation aimed at disrupting the supply and trafficking of prohibited and controlled drugs.

He added that the sophisticated and constantly concealment methods employed by traffickers are very difficult to detect without information, intelligence, narcotic detecting gadgets and or special skills and thorough search used by operatives.”

The DLEAG PRO, therefore, urges the public to be cautious.

“We must all remain alert and be willing to participate and contribute our quarter towards our collective safety and security.

In order to strengthen and reinforce these ongoing special operations, we reiterate our call for the public to remain vigilant, alert and share information concerning suspicious drug-related or criminal activities with law enforcement operatives,” he said

Alimatou S. Bajinka

The General Legal Counsel has on Friday 29th July 2022 enrolled 45 people as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of The Gambia at a ceremony held at the High Court complex in Banjul.

The newly enrolled legal practitioners are from the 10th batch of lawyers who were enrolled at The Gambia Law School, including 27 men and 18 women.

Mr Salieu Taal, President of The Gambia Bar Association, urged the newly enrolled members to jealously guide the legal profession and uphold the principles of law.

“As legal practitioners, you are first officers of the court and therefore duty bound to promote justice and uphold rule of law, it is the responsibility you must not take lightly,” he emphasised.

Mr Hussain Thomasi, Solicitor General, while speaking on behalf of Attorney General Dawda A Jallow, said the enrolment has increased the number of legal practitioners enrolled in The Gambia from 430 to 483.

He further stated that the legal practitioner’s sole responsibility is to administer justice for the benefit of society, adding that “society is watching you and remember that you have to set the tone on how they will perceive you throughout your career,” he advised.

By: Jankey Touray

According to the revised budget approved by the National Assembly on Thursday 28 July, civil servants are said to have a salary increase of 30%.

However, the approved 30% salary upsurge appears to elevate high-income earners over low-income earners.

On the amended budget, no increment or deduction was made for the National Assembly, National Audit Office, Judiciary, and the Independent Electoral Commission. Pensioners were also excluded.

The budget reveals that the President, his ministers and other senior government officials will earn high pay as against low earners between grades 1 and 8.

The President’s salary will have an increase of D76, 500, and cabinet ministers D15,000 while civil servants from grades 1 to 8 will have an increase of D750 for those receiving D2500; D900 for D3000 earners; D3000 for D10,000 earners; and D6000 for D12,000 earners.

Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance, disclosed that the 30% salary increase is to develop a revenue of 222.5 million in the survival of the remaining six months of the year.

He said government agreed to cut expenditure across MDAs to subsidize salary increment.

The Minister added that both domestic and global economies have commenced recovering from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2022, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict which he said brought about a surprising change in global economic conditions.

He stressed that the occurrence causes poor performance of domestic resources mobilization, affects oil-related taxes as well as putting increasing pressure on governance spending needs. He also cited the creation of additional two ministries and the decision of the government to increase the salary of civil servants which necessitated the revision of the approved 2022 budget to adapt the changes.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

National Assembly Members yesterday July 28th 2022 approved the Revised Estimated Budget tabled by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy Keita in the first extra-ordinary session in the 2022 Legislative Year seeking a 30% salary increment for the civil service.

While tabling the document, the Minister told parliament the need to adopt the revised budget, saying it was meant to improve the lives and livelihood of Gambians but of the civil servants specifically, as it is the reflection of the Gambia’s current economic realities.

He told lawmakers that the 30% salary increment only applies to civil servants, including ministries and departments likewise subverted hospitals and schools under the ministries of Health and Basic and Secondary Education.

The Minister explained that pensioners are excluded from the increment simply because they benefited from a 100% increment in 2018, causing an income mismatch between pensioners and active employees.

However, many people say it is a discriminative budget as high-income earners like the President and his ministers will earn more compared to low-grade earners like teachers and nurses.

The President who receives a monthly salary of D255, 000 will now get D331, 000 which means D76,000 has been added. In the same vein, the ministers will get D65, 000 as a monthly salary, a D15,000 increment on the D50, 000 they used to get. However, low-income earners like teachers and nurses and also junior civil servants will still receive low salaries compared to their more senior colleagues.

The government announced its intention of establishing a new grading system and pay scale to match the “increasing” cost of living in the country.

By: Alimatou S Bajinka

For many years, griots have played an important role in local functions in our communities. They have not only served as entertainers, but also custodians of oral history. The trade has existed for centuries mainly to preserve people’s genealogies, historical narratives, oral traditions and important events in society.

However, it appears that their functions and recognition especially in today’s generation are slowly diminishing.

Alhajie Mbye is a renowned griot in the Greater Banjul area who served as the lead griot for the most prominent politicians in the country. Mr Mbaye expressed dismay with the low regard accorded to griots, acknowledging that the issue may be attributed to their attitude.

“I blame certain griots for the disrespect accorded to me and my fellow griots, some of whom just walk to peoples’ events without being invited.”

Griots, he added, have held quite a significant position in African cultures, most especially in local ceremonies.

“They translate historical facts, transfer moral issues, explain the mystic world surrounding us and particularly share past experiences.”

However, some believe that this depleting recognition of local griots is due to the changing nature of society; as communities become more divided about the need to have them on special occasions.

Mariama Dampha, who celebrated her wedding two years ago, explained her decision not to invite griots to her well-planned event, saying griots nowadays use the trade as a form of begging instead of doing the task.

“Griots in recent days do not even do their job that is relating you to your past or even tell you about your history, but instead they throw money or cloth at you just to have the money they looking for without even knowing your name.”

Houssoum Ceesay, a renowned historian who has written extensively on traditional Gambian societies said the image people have toward griots today is the direct opposite of their important status in the past.

“The presence of a griot in one’s ceremony used to qualify such event as one that is of class and every family sought for them in all important events.”

The role of a griot, he added, involves a lot of skills and effort, and therefore griots were supposed to only focus on how they do this important job while the patrons focus on the upkeep of the griots.

“Traditionally, the feeding and clothing of griots should be the sole responsibility of their patrons, however, the trade has become so profitable that everyone now ventures into it, mainly for economic reasons.”

He, however, believes that the reason many young people have low regard for griots is mainly that griots are no more as skilled as they used to be. He also said most of the efforts are now put on how to make money instead of learning the real history and the skills necessary to entertain their patrons.

The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Saihou Drammeh and Lamin Gassama, former General Manager and former Operations Manager respectively of Gam-Petroleum, have both been acquitted and discharged by Justice Roche of the Banjul High Court for lack of prima facie evidence in respect to all the 8 counts levelled against them.

“In the interest of clarity, and to conclude, the accused persons are hereby acquitted and discharged on all 8 counts in the absence of prima facie evidence to support a conviction on same,” Justice Roche in a ruling that took her over two hours on Thursday, 28th July 2022.

This came after the lawyers of the accused persons brought their “no case to answer submission” which was objected to by the prosecution citing section 3(2)(a) of the economics crimes which says “the court shall hear all evidence by the prosecution and or on behalf of the accused.” His objection was overruled giving way to the defence in their arguments.

On all 8 counts, the seasoned judge said the prosecution failed to provide prima facie evidence, “evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal properly directing its mind on the law and evidence will convict the accused if no evidence or explanation was set up by the accuse.”

The accused persons were jointly charged with economic crimes amongst others but the Judge ruled that there is no evidence to show that the accused persons’ actions or inactions resulted in economic loss to the Government of the Gambia, saying the prosecution was just relying on conjecture.

Twelve prosecution witnesses were called to testify in the case, some of whose evidence according to the Judge was contradictory. Specific evidence is that of PW7 on count 2. “In this case, the only evidence before the court regarding this count is the glaring, totally contradicted evidence of PW7 under cross-examination,” said Justice Roche.

Saihou Drammeh and Lamin Gassama were both arrested in October 2021 in connection to, among other things, an alleged missing twenty million dollar ($20, 000,000) worth of fuel products at the Gam-Petroleum Company depot, in Mandinary.

By: Jankey Touray

In October last year, the Burufut highway was among the roads identified to be constructed together with the OIC roads construction for the OIC summit later this year.

Residents of the area and drivers plying the route have expressed their dismay at the slow pace of work by contractors.

Ramatoulie Suso, a resident, said the mud and stagnant water make it difficult to cross to the other side of the road, especially during this rainy season.

“Even if you stand out here, your clothes or body can get wet and dirty because of the water and mud on the road,” Suso expressed.

Rohey Sarr also said the contractors should fasten the pace of the construction because children sometimes play in the mud or dirty water on the road which is not healthy.

She also said the more they slack off in constructing the road the more it gets spoiled and it will be a waste of time and resources for the government as it will only affect the economy of the country as they will pay to reconstruct the road.

Alpha, a driver, said the poor road conditions are why most drivers do not go to Brufut, saying they prefer the Highway to the Brufut heights or Tanji.

“When there is heavy rain, our cars got stuck in the middle of stagnant water and mud. They only pour muddy sand, level it, and leave it here for months without doing proper construction and this is not favourable to us.” Alpha stressed.

The aforesaid road is expected to have streetlights, drainage, and sidewalks.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG) with support of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) under the Blue Peace Financing Initiative have organized a three-day regional consultation workshop with stakeholders on Phase 3 of the development of its Integrated Development Master Plan (PDDI). The event was held from July 19 to 21, at Coco Ocean Hotel, Banjul.

The consultation workshop brought together a variety of participants including, members of the OMVG High Commission team, the different directorates (technical, finance, administration); representatives of the member states; the International Consultants of the 3 Lots; the technical and financial partners (DDC, GWH and UNCDF), etc.

The objective of the Blue Peace Financing Initiative is to create new ways for non-sovereign regional managing natural resource entities, such as river basin organizations, to access financial capital for investments in cross-border and multi-sectoral water cooperation.

Preliminary exchanges with key financial stakeholders, including potential investors, have confirmed that the market has a strong appetite and interest in an innovative financing instrument such as the Blue Peace Bond.

The initiative was launched in December 2019 with the signing by the President of the OMVG Council of Ministers of a resolution announcing OMVG’s partnership with Blue Peace partners on the exploration of innovative financing mechanisms including the Blue Peace financing initiative, to implement projects within the framework of its Master Plan (PDDI).

The capacity-building activities including the development of OMVG’s masterplan (PDDI), a Technical Assistance Program, and a Legal and Institutional Review are ongoing. In December 2021, the diagnostic report of the OMVG’s Master plan (PDDI), which presented the major transboundary issues and development opportunities associated with the natural resources of the OMVG area and the sectoral economic uses were validated (Phase1).

In June 2022, the development of the six sectoral master plans was presented and validated (Phase 2). The sectors with the highest potential and priority to start with for the joint investment plan (portfolio) have been identified and include energy, agriculture, drinking water and sanitation, navigation, forestry as well as municipal infrastructure.

The workshop was supported by UNCDF and the SDC, OMVG to build the capacity of the participants and launch the last and third phase for the development of the PDDI which aims at defining possible development scenarios for the OMVG area, modelling these scenarios to compare them based on hydrological, environmental, social and economic indicators, then defining the PDDI (Phase 3).

Rohey John Manjang, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources said the implementation of the master plan initiated by the OMVG High Commission will have a positive impact on the improvement of the living conditions of the populations of the basin areas through its programs and projects, adding that the consultation forum is significant.

“The issue of financing remains a major challenge for basin organizations. Currently, the OMVG draws its financial resources for its projects mainly from the contributions of its four member states. There is no financial instrument capable of channelling funding directly to the supranational entity which is the OMVG. The innovation of the Blue Peace Financing initiative aims to develop a sustainable financing mechanism that will allow non-sovereign entities or basin organizations such as OMVG to access financial markets directly,” declared Ms Christed Alvergne, UNCDF Regional Coordinator.

“This master plan will be the strategic planning framework for the sustainable development of all the basins, of a coherent development program for integrated and concerted management of water resources and ecosystems. Therefore, the participation of all the stakeholders of the basins in the definition of the scenarios is essential,” said Ababacar Ndao, Secretary General of the OMVG High Commission.

President Adama Barrow said unity and integration are essential for maintaining peace in the subregion and the continent while addressing the crowd during Liberia’s 175th Independence Anniversary event on July 26th 2022, in Monrovia.

He said Africa must concentrate on a new strategy of utilizing its human resources to maintain peace and promote development to raise the standard of living of its people.

“To achieve these, the need for cooperation and progress is most urgent. Thus, as we call for unity and African integration, we must give priority to sustaining peace in the sub-region and the entire continent.” President Barrow observed.

As the special guest of honour, President Barrow urged Liberians to unite against violence and construct a future that would assure progress and prosperity for all Liberians, adding that this is a path that all Africans should take.

The President stated that Africa’s strength is unity in diversity, stressing that; ” No country in the world is composed of one race or people. There is diversity everywhere in relation to race, colour, religion, gender, and economic status. What we have in common is our humanity. This cuts across all boundaries and should, therefore, unite us.”

Despite the turmoil and wars that have enveloped the continent, President Barrow reiterated that Africans must demonstrate patriotism, stressing that people should avoid repeating past mistakes by focusing on the present and future for a better Africa.

“I advise that we reflect further on what we could have achieved after so many years of Independence from colonial rule. How many years have we spent fighting one another, destroying our structures, and ruining our modest achievements?” he observed.

The President was accompanied by senior government officials including the Chief of Staff, Mod K Ceesay, and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Mamadou Tangara. The President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Omar Touray was also present.

Other important guests also included H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and H.E. Umar Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea Bissau.

Credit: Office of the President – The Gambia

By: Modou Touray

Cattle owners in the Greater Banjul Area have expressed concern over lack of sufficient land for cattle grazing.

To delve into their plights, this medium engaged Mr Ebrima O. Jallow, President of National Livestock Owners Association. The association is the umbrella body of all livestock owners including cattle farmers.

Mr. Jallow spoke on a nationwide consultation of all cattle famers. He said livestock farmers across the country unanimously raised the issue of land scarcity for grazing as a serious concern which they said needs urgent attention.

“There are many issues confronting cattle farmers, including animal health with regards to outbreak of disease, cattle tracks (pathways for cattle) and land for grazing. This is where cattle go to have their feeding,” he explained.

He reiterated that land space for cattle grazing remains challenging particularly in Kombo South, North, Central and East.

He attributed the challenges to land development for human habitat.

“Most of Gambian cattle herders are relocating to the southern Senegalese region of casamance. In Cassamance, land for cattle farming is relatively available even though there is risk in that place due to the armed conflict.”

The demand for livestock is increasing in the Gambia and hence the need for vibrant sector to cater for local consumption needs.

“The breeding space is virtually unavailable here. This means we will continue importing livestock into the country.”

Mr Jallow urged communities within the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region to provide reserved lands for cattle/ livestock farming. He called on the government to intervene.

He said unlike the Gambia, Senegal caters for livestock space. “This designated place is where production is done as well. It will be beneficial for us to have a similar thing here in The Gambia. If the space is available here, we will be able to supply the local market.

There is stiff competition between livestock farming and estate developers as land for settlement is increasing whiles cattle/livestock owners manage to maintain small space.  In fact, crop farmers always complaine about cattle destroying their crops. We are all farmers but this is another problem too.”

Struggle for land by estate agents and space for farming is a major challenge that hampers the expansion of the livestock industry in the Gambia.

The Greater Banjul Area and the West Coast Region are adversely impacted by the land issue. A number of land cases are currently before the courts.

The National Livestock Owners Association of the Gambia is deeply concerned and there are calls for collective efforts in addressing the plights of cattle farmers.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

As the Gambia Football Federation presidential election draws close, the leader of Team Restore Confidence, Sadibou Kamaso, has promised to increase the winning prize of the Gambia Football Federation league competition to 1.5 Million Dalasi from the current prize of D700,000 (seventh Hundred Thousand dalasis)

In his manifesto dubbed the starting 11, the outspoken GFF Presidential aspirant said that Gambian football has registered unhurried improvement in terms of player development and transfers to the international stage.

Among his plans for league development and professionalization, is the increment of the financial benefit of teams.

“We intend to increase the league prize money to D1.5 million dalasis for the winners, runners up D750.000, and third position 500.000.”

Kamaso went further to promise that, if elected as the President of the country’s football governing body, the FF Cup winners will pocket home D1 million dalasi and five hundred thousand to the runner-up.

According to Kamaso’s manifesto, one factor for the slow progress of the league in the country is the level of the league.

“One of the contributing factors to this impeding progress is the fact that the Gambian League has been amateur since the inception of The Gambia Football Federation in 1952.”

With infrastructural development being the biggest challenge the Kaba Bajo executive faces, Kamaso plans to work with the government, municipalities and area councils to build sustainable football pitches across the country.

He said that he will engage the Gambia government for the right policies to create an enabling environment for making the league a professional league.

The Gambia Football Federation presidential election is slated for August 27. Kamaso’s former boss and opponent, incumbent Lamin Kaba Bajo told The Fatu Network that he is the right person to head the federation.

By: Modou Touray

Residents in the Greater Banjul Area have expressed frustration over the untimely access to cash power for electricity supply.

The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is responsible for the  provision of cash power to electricity users. At the cash power outlet at Turntable in Burusubi, customers often line up for an hour or more before accessing the service.

Most people who spoke to The Fatu Network said the problem is normally attributed to poor or no network availability.

“They need to open more outlets and work on transforming the system,” Jellan Chorr, a local businessman said.

Nearby residents of Tranquil, Bijilo and other businesses as well as offices all buy cash power at the Turntable outlet.

“I came here in the morning and I was told that there was no network. I am back again and it almost 1pm. People are many here and the network is always not stable. Many services depend on electricity to function. Maybe I would have to leave because I have other things to do at home,” Bajen Sarr, a housewife lamented.

The issue of poor or no network at NAWEC cash power selling outlets is not only peculiar to Brusubi but also West Field and Bakau as well.

This medium visited few outlets in the Greater Banjul Area to ascertain the situation.

“I have been here for 30 minutes now. They keep saying it is poor network. I don’t know exactly when the network will be available. My only choice is to wait here as long as it takes,” said Ba-Alhagie Jabbi, a tailor in Bakau.

Another tailor, Mbemba Bojang said: “Most of those I met at the Bakau selling points were tailors who normally buy cash power early in the morning. We don’t make that much profit in simple tailoring compared to major fashion designers. We can only afford to buy cashpower in small quantity.”

“I will try to buy more cash power now. It is better than buying in bits. Coming here daily is frustrating and might affect the growth of my business. My customers will not understand why I cannot finish sewing their clothes on time,” he added.

The Westfield outlet at the NAWEC headquarters experiences similar long line-up as people struggle to get cash power. This reporter saw two queues as people wait patiently for their turn to buy cash power.

“For three days now, whenever I am going to work I try to buy cash power, a move that always make me late for work because of the delay at the cash power selling point. Network problem is now a common issue with NAWEC in all cash power selling outlets,” Haddy Jobe confirmed.

Eric Johnson is a restaurant owner. He spoked angrily to this medium, expressing her  frustration over the slow queues and the difficulties to get cash power timely.

“This is outrageous! I am operating a restaurant and I need electricity constantly. How can you sell soft drinks not cold? The refrigerator has to be on always.”

Three top civil servants who preferred anonymity, called on NAWEC management responsible for cash power to be efficient and settle the inconveniences faced by people.

NAWEC was contacted for response, but the reporter didn’t get their reaction at the time of publication.

Karimatou Jallow 

Residents of Westfield are calling on the government to cover the open gutters  of  saying that it is not safe to leave them open because someone might fall into the them accidentally and either sustain injuries or lose their lives.

“The uncovering of these gutters is not save because someone can fall into them unknowingly and sustain serious injuries, and if that person is a breadwinner, his/her family will be affected.

As a taxi driver, I try my best to be careful when driving because their is high chance of getting accident. That is why I calculate before taken any step,” Foday Dember explained.

Dember called on the government to find solution and cover the gutters because it is not safe for anybody around that area.

“Their is unhygienic water in this gutters. Rubbish is being dumped inside the gutters and nobody is taking any step to prevent people from doing so. This can cause serious sickness to us who spend the whole day in this environment,” Ebrima Bah.

However, Bah warned people dumping rubbish in the gutters to stop, saying that gutters are not the right places for throwing rubbish.

“If they help us and cover these gutters, it will be great because the unhygienic water  is not good for our health and anyone can accidentally lose his or her life in this open gutters,” Ablie Jarju stated.

Jarju went on saying the government should find a solution to cover the gutters to ensure safety in the environment.

By: Haddy Ceesay

In an interview with Peter Gomez during the West Coast Radio’s coffee time program, Alagie Bunja Njie Kebbeh, a health worker and radio enthusiast who went on the Hajj for the first time and has been providing daily reports on the participation of Gambians in the annual pilgrimage, confirmed that the first batch of Gambian pilgrims will depart Mecca for The Gambia today 25th July 2022 at 4pm local time and is expected to land at the Banjul International Airport at 11:30pm.

“We are all in our hotel in Mecca, both the first and second batches of pilgrims,” he confirmed.

Kebbeh said Monday is their final Tawo to round the Kabba for farewell.

He made the disclosure contrary to some media reports indicating the 27th and 28th July to be the returning dates of The Gambian pilgrims.

“I have confirmed that the 25th and 26th July are the dates that all the Gambian pilgrims will return home. Flight carrying the first batch will depart Mecca at 4pm and arrive at the Banjul International Airport at 11:30 pm local time. The second batch of pilgrims will depart Mecca tomorrow 26th July 2022 the same time as the first pilgrims,” he further disclosed.

Alagie Bunja Kebbeh concluded that they don’t have any difficulties regarding their Haji journey.

“We have prayed for our country, our leadership and a peaceful rainy season that will not cause harm in our beloved country. Pilgrims are excited to return to their families,” he said.

By Modou Touray

As the rains continue, frequent flash flood in some areas in Brikama, has been causing discomfort to motorists and pedestrians.

To get first-hand information on the effects of such condition on people, The Fatu Network over the weekend visited some areas in Gidda, Misira, Kabafita, Newtown, Wellingara, and Nyambai.

Drivers in Brikama-Gidda struggle with numerous traffic deviations to get to their destinations. Previously, Jambar-Sanneh neighborhood used to be a flooded area which attracted the attention of Brikama Area Council authorities and the central government.

A 400-meter highway is currently being constructed there in addition to a drainage system. According to authorities, the undertaking is geared towards avoiding huge flash floods.

“Traffic is very uncomfortable now. I often have customers for town trip, but we encounter challenges in plying the road due to the poor drainage system. I am afraid of having a breakdown as I ply through stagnant water,” taxi driver Famara Njie complained.

“The stagnate water in the drainage system is caused by blockages of cabbages  and poor design of the drainage system by contractors,” said Fabakary Ceesay, a resident of Newtown.

Ousman Jatta is a welder operating along the Kaba-Bajo highway in Newtown.

“Our workshop is often flooded. Whenever it floods, we have to wait for few days to continue work because we have to allow the place to dry up.  It will be difficult to carry on our work at the welding workshop because water and electricity are not compatible.”

In Nyambai, some streets are affected too as some people cannot get into their compounds without getting into water. “This is why we feel happy when it doesn’t rain. Rain is good for agriculture, but for us, it brings more harm as the water doesn’t flow freely,” angry Nyambai resident Sulayman Sanneh said.

From Gidda forest to Brikama-Kunta kinteh, stagnant waters could be seen everywhere.

Bubacarr Senghor, a public health officer, attributed the flooding in Brikama to population density.

“People are moving a lot from rural areas to Brikama. It will be difficult to control these issues. Poor drainage can cause health hazards. Inadequate drainage system encourages respiratory problems for occupants. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and worms, both of which carry diseases.”

There are reports of possible increase on water levels on roads, flash floods and traffic jams.

The Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia to the United States of America on Saturday 23rd July 2022 celebrated the first-ever cultural show with the great kora maestro, Pa Bobo Jobarteh, at Blair High School in Silver Spring.

In his welcoming statement, the Charge d’Affaires ad interim at the Embassy of The Gambia in Washington DC, Mr. Mustapha Sosseh returned gratitude and appreciation to the Gambian community for the collaboration and turnout. He said the objective of the programme is to bring cultural understanding and encourage diversity which according to him is a critical component of human rights.

“It is about time that we embrace our culture, exhibit it and impart cultural understanding in our young ones so that we will not be victims of lost identities,” Mr. Sosseh posited.

Mr. Sosseh announced the formation of a cultural committee that would comprise executive members of Gambian associations across the US and Canada and would be tasked with the responsibility of promoting Gambian cultures. He said the Embassy will work with the Committee to bring about cultural promotion and ensure respect and acceptance of Gambian cultures.

This move, according to Mr. Sosseh, will create and inspire innovations and excellence in workplaces, communities and the world at large.

Speaking at the event on behalf of the Gambian – American Association, Mrs. Soffie Ceesay commended the Embassy for coming up with such a great initiative which would strengthen cultural understanding. The event, she indicated, should be an annual event organised by the Embassy, the Gambian community and partners.

She assured that the Gambian–American Association would continue to work with the Embassy in promoting the interest of The Gambia and Gambians across the United States of America.

The Information and Cultural Affairs Officer at the Embassy of The Gambia in Washington DC, Mr. Saikou Ceesay gave a background of the cultural show. Mr. Ceesay recounted that efforts to bring Pa Bobo and team to the United States of America started in February this year, with the staging of online cultural event involving universities in US. He said it was after the online cultural events with universities the Embassy thought it prudent to work with partners with a view to facilitating his trip to the US to showcase Gambian culture at festivals, Juneteenth celebrations and July 4th across the United States.

Mr. Ceesay indicated that at this modern age, the power of a country is not measured by its size or economy but the level with which it is able to integrate its culture into the international system.  “We will continue to be more innovative and creative in making sure that result is produced for The Gambia,” he said.

A parallel event was held at the Embassy premises attended by 63 Young American professionals and 7 representatives of cultural organisations. They were introduced to local Gambian dishes like domoda, benachin and local baobab and wonjo juice.

Saikou Ceesay

Information and Cultural Affairs Officer

Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia

Washington, D.C. the United States of America

The Government of The Gambia has in a press release dated 24th July 2022 confirmed that Integral University in India has honoured President Adama Barrow by bestowing on him a university key in addition to the conferment of Doctor of Philosophy In Human Letters (Honoris Causa).

On behalf of President Barrow, Vice President Badara Alieu Joof on Friday received the Key to Lucknow University together with the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Letters (Honoris Causa).

Below is the full press release:

Press Release

Dated: 24^th July 2022

Integral University of Lucknow, Uttarpradesh State, India, Bestows Key to President Adama Barrow and Tentatively Confers Mr Barrow with Degree of “Doctor of Philosophy In Human Letters—Honoris Causa”

New Delhi, India—The Gambian Vice President, His Excellency Badara Alieu Joof, received the Key to Lucknow University as well as a “Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Letters, Honoris Causa” on behalf of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow on Friday.

During a modest convocation ceremony at the residence of the Gambian Ambassador in New Delhi, the Founder & Chancellor of Integral University, Professor S. W. Akhta with University Pro-Chancellor Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar and Vice Chancellor Professor, Javed Musarrat, presented the University Key to Vice President Joof and announced the conferring of the PhD in Human Letters to The Gambian Head of State. The University will formally confer the Doctorate Degree on President Barrow when he visits India in due course.

During the ceremony, the Founder and Chancellor of Integral University, Professor S. W. Akhta said both the Key and Honorary Doctoral Degree were testimony to President Adama Barrow’s visionary and inspiring leadership that has brought so much hope and inspiration to Gambians and the outsiders within so short a time. “Under President Barrow, The Gambian people have experienced unprecedented freedom and a new atmosphere of democracy, respect for the Rule of Law and basic human rights.”

The citation also dwelled on Mr Barrow’s reform policies, his commitment to economic development, free market economy and his impressive educational and social development policies for the advancement of The Gambian people.

In conceptually accepting the University Key and Honorary Doctoral Degree on behalf of the Gambian leader, Vice President Joof thanked the leadership, management and academic staff of Integral University for their kind sentiments on President Barrow and assured them that the credentials will serve as great motivation for Mr Barrow as he charts new ways for The Gambia. VP Joof told Integral University that they have a very significant role to play in the technological and educational advancement of The Gambia and would love to have their presence felt across the country.

The ceremony hosted by the Gambian High Commissioner to India, His Excellency, Mustapha Jawara and staff, was witnessed by the Vice Presidential delegation to the “17th Edition of The India – Africa Conclave” and senior officials and academics from Integral University.

Signed:

Ebrima G. Sankareh

The Gambia Government Spokesperson & Presidential Diaspora Adviser