On Monday 24 January, Justice Alameh, the presiding judge in the case between The Sates and General Badjie set 4 February 2022 as date for ruling on whether the former security aide to ex-president Yahya Jammeh should continue to be remanded or charged and tried.
Justice Alameh revealed that the state made an ex-parte (one party) application to detain the General within 90 days at the Mile 2 Central Prison pending investigation into his alleged crimes.
The decision of making a ruling on the 90 days application came when defense counsel Sheriff Kumba Jobe rose to object to the said application to remand General Badjie without trial. The defense counsel maintained that the continuous remanding of his client without trial is unlawful.
It could be recalled that the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) report recommended for General Saul Badjie and others to be tried for their alleged horrendous crimes.
However, journalists and some alleged victims have complained about the space of the courtroom, saying that it cannot fully accommodate the press and some alleged victims leading to members of the press standing outside throughout the proceeding.
It was therefore suggested for the hearing to take place in a bigger courtroom that would accommodate more people as the case is one of public interest.
The next sitting is on Friday 4 February 2022 for ruling on the 90 days application.
A newly established fitness, nutrition and care center for women in The Gambia [Phenomenal Women] was officially launched on 21 January 2022 at the center’s address at Bartil Harding Highway, opposite Kotu Hospital.
In her statement, Fatima Jallow, CEO of Fatima & Co public relations firm (organizer of the launching ceremony) said the center focuses on women particularly on fitness, nutrition and care.
“The Center offers women in The Gambia a safe environment. They offer services to women such as Yogo, Zumba, aerobics/cardio exercise, kids Zumba classes, beauty salon, steps/TRX workout, massage/jacuzzi/steam, kids play area (nanny services) and nutrition classes,” she highlighted.
Making an opening remark, a member of Phenomenal Women, Laila Traboulsi said the center is a product of a discussion between her and Phenomenal Women chief executive Fatu Njie on a safe environment where when can exercise and receive trainings on their wellbeing.
“We were chatting on a safe environment where women can put on their sport gears, a place exclusively for women. Women have so much to offer but are not giving the opportunity to prove themselves. Our work here is not only to exercise and offer nutrition and care services, but also to help women and young ladies unleash their potentials.”
Madam Traboulsi encouraged women to take advantage of the opportunity by coming to the center and make use of its services.
Speaking on reason for establishing Phenomenal Women center, Chief Executive Officer of the center Fatou Njie said she has travelled to many countries and has discovered that most countries have similar centers for women, but not in The Gambia.
“Other countries have centers like this where women exercise and are taught on how to take good care of themselves, their children and their families in general. We need such in the Gambia and that is where the idea came from. We are the mothers, and we are the ones who give birth to the Presidents, Ministers and all. Women are the foundation of a better country and a better world”
She said the center has a safe and conducive environment for women to exercise and discuss their challenges with workable solutions.
Jeun Francois Normand, husband and partner of Madam Fatu Njie thanked all the people that have been working with them to realize the establishment of the center, noting that his wife always think about her fellow women and has always been trying to do something to make women in the Gambia feel confident, healthy and good looking.
Keynote speaker of the ceremony Saliou Taal, President of Gambia Bar Association praised Madam Fatu Njie, her husband and all those who contributed in realizing the establishment of the center.
“Fatu Njie always want to bring to the Gambia the best she has seen in other countries. This center has the high standards you can find in other parts of the world. I believe this is a showcase of love and passion for this nation because if it is about money Fatu and her husband would have invested in real estate and other stuffs.”
Mr. Taal assured that he will encourage his wife to visit to the center regularly, calling on other men to allow and encourage their wives and sisters to take advantage of such opportunity.
Spokesperson of the Gambia Police Force, Superintendent Lamin Njie has confirmed to The Fatu Network that a British citizen believed to be in his late forties shot and killed an unidentified man in the early hours of Monday 24th January 2022 at Brufut Heights.
After the incident, the man reported himself to the police who obtained statements from him.
According to reports, the man was in bed at his Brufut resident between 6:30 to 7:00 in the morning when an unknown man with knives broke into his house and attacked him, adding that he then ran into his room, took his hunting gun and shoot the ‘attacker.’
The reports went on to say that that upon trying to run by jumping the fence, the attacker suddenly fell and fainted, after which the Police were called and informed about the incident.
Some police officers later visited the scene to get on-the-scene information and exhibits. The victim according yo credible sources had two knives, 3 smart phones, a hotel room key and 10 British Pounds,15 euros, 450 dalasi notes and a bottle of sparkling natural water.
The United States Ambassador to The Gambia, Carl Paschall has expressed optimism, hope and gratitude to the government and people of The Gambia as he prepares to depart the country after spending nearly three years in office as US Ambassador to The Gambia.
Below is his farewell message:
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Banjul, The Gambia
January 24, 2021
OPINION EDITORIAL: A Message of Optimism, Hope, and Gratitude for The Gambia
By R. Carl Paschall, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of The Gambia
As I prepare to depart The Gambia after nearly three years, it is difficult to say goodbye and leave the Smiling Coast of Africa. But I leave this beautiful country with a sense of optimism, inspired by the passion of the Gambian people who press for completion of promised democratic and economic reforms, including justice and accountability.
My optimism is grounded in the strong will of the Gambian people. When we arrived in March 2019, it was thrilling to sense the excitement of a citizenry who, just over two years earlier, demonstrated to the world their commitment to democratic values by peacefully voting for change despite intimidation and repression. That Gambian passion for democratic change, for justice, and accountability has not waned. Indeed, nearly 90% of registered Gambian voters cast their marbles in December – with extremely high percentages of women and youth actively, energetically participating in the democratic process.
The Gambia’s young people continue to provide uplifting inspiration to me. Many committed young adults took an active part in working with the IEC to ensure their fellow Gambians young and old registered and then voted while many others took part in civil society-led voter education and election observation missions. And these young people – in the words of an esteemed Gambian – are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they are the leaders of today and tomorrow. While in my experience they are unfailingly respectful of their elders, I urge those who like me are older to make room for active youth civic involvement – they are eager, they are energetic, and they are committed to building a brighter future.
It was an honor to represent President Biden at the inauguration of His Excellency Adama Barrow to a second term. I suspect that President Barrow, like my government, is attentive to the passion of the Gambian people for continued progress in democratic reform, transparent and accountable governance, and justice, as documented in the AfroBarometer surveys in 2017 and 2021. Indeed, I am encouraged that in his post-election news conference, the President underscored his commitment to continuing the democratic reforms promised in 2016, many of which remain undone, naming constitutional reform as his intended legacy for a second term. I also note the President’s statement that he is the “biggest fan of term limits” – something Gambians repeatedly and emphatically state they want applied universally.
As partners with the Gambian government and civil society to support efforts to achieve Gambian aspirations, we will continue to invest and work to realize these goals – but they require Gambian ownership, Gambian leadership, Gambian accountability. During my tenure here, I am proud that the range of U.S. government and non-governmental partners has expanded our bilateral and multilateral support to The Gambia’s reform efforts, as well as donated lifesaving COVID vaccines. Among many different programs, this expanded engagement is perhaps most profoundly displayed by the signing of a new bilateral USAID Development Agreement with initial multi-million-dollar programs to support the Gambian-led justice sector and rule of law reform efforts, as well as the Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold Program agreement to develop and implement strategic reform of the electricity generation and supply sector.
And of course, my wife Jane Ellen and I are infinitely grateful for the many opportunities we have had to meet wonderfully warm, welcoming, hospitable Gambians from all walks of life – from Kartong to Soma to Basse to Fatoto, and Barra to Farafeni to Wassu and the many villages and towns in between. Among our long list of things, we will cherish are the beauty of the land, the warmth of the people, and of course Gambian cuisine. (My favorite is Domoda Chicken, while Jane Ellen prefers Chicken Yassa, we both love Supa Kanja, and Akara, and we believe Gambian Benachin is far better than Thieboudienne). Jane Ellen and I want to simply say “thank you” – thank you for welcoming us and thank you for sharing with us Gambian culture and traditions. We will treasure and hold in our hearts forever this remarkable place.
Gambia’s Tourism and Culture Minister is expected to appear before the National Assembly (lawmaking body of The Gambia) today 24 January 2022, over corruption allegations at the Gambia Tourism Board.
The Tourism Minister and former Gambia Tourist Board Director Abdoulie Hydara will face the National Assembly Public Petition Committee as part of the committee’s investigation into the alleged accusations. The investigation was triggered after a group of concerned staff wrote to the National Assembly select committee on tourism in 2018, asking that they launch an investigation into alleged corrupt practices involving the Minister and other top officials in the tourism industry.
In a letter addressed to the said committee, the employees challenged the Gambia Tourism Board for awarding the Eco-Lodges contract to the highest bidder (Lerr Group), sidelining the other companies who offered to run the project at a more affordable cost.
“In 2018 bids were invited for the construction of the eco-tourism camps and five companies namely Mendura Construction, BB Electricals and Construction, Peace Enterprise, Lamin Jatta Eco Construction, Santa Yalla Construction and Lerr Group.
“Mendura Construction presented a bid amount of D12,121,746,50, BB Electrical and Construction presented a bid price of D14, 628, 032, 80, Peace Enterprise presented a bid amount of D13, 188,075, Lamin Jatta Eco Construction presented a bidding price of D13, 839, 309 Santa Yala Construction presented a bid price of D16, 514, 888 and Lerr Group presented a bid price of D26, 199, 667, 84,”
In their petition, the aggrieved group of employees also mentioned the wrongful allocation of land in the tourism development area, accusing the Minister and his cohorts of orchestrating the 5% waiver for businesses.
The accusations were met with strong reactions from some Gambians who called for the suspension of the Minister at the time.
The President of Burkina Faso, Roch Kaboré, has reportedly been detained by mutinying soldiers.
Some troops in the West African nation have demanded the sacking of military chiefs and more resources to fight Islamist militants.
Gunfire had been heard overnight near the presidential palace and at barracks in the capital, Ouagadougou.
The government on Sunday denied suggestions of a military coup or that the president was under arrest.
President Kaboré was detained at a military camp by mutinying soldiers, foreign media reports say.
Video from the capital appears to show armoured vehicles – reportedly used by the presidency – peppered with bullet holes and abandoned in the street.
BBC reporter Simon Gongo in Ouagadougou says the city is quiet again. Soldiers have, however, surrounded the state television headquarters and there has been no live programming on Monday.
On Sunday, hundreds of people came out in support of the soldiers and some of them set fire to the ruling party’s headquarters. A night-time curfew has since been imposed.
The president’s location is unknown, but AFP news agency quoted security sources as saying that he and other government ministers are at the Sangoule Lamizana barracks in the capital.
There has been no communication from President Kaboré himself since Sunday night, when he posted to social media congratulating the national football team on their win in an Africa Cup of Nations match.
Amid disruption to the internet, the situation in the capital is not clear, with no statement from either the military or the government.
A former French colony, Burkina Faso has suffered chronic instability since gaining independence in 1960, including several coups.
The country’s name, meaning “land of the honest men” was picked by revolutionary military officer Thomas Sankara who took power in 1983. He was toppled and killed in 1987.
Since 2015, the country has been fighting an Islamist insurgency that spilled over from neighbouring Mali. This has fuelled anger in the military and damaged the once important tourist industry.
The unrest comes a week after 11 soldiers were arrested for allegedly plotting a coup.
But discontent has been growing in Burkina Faso over the government’s failure to defeat an Islamist insurgency in the country since 2015.
That escalated to new highs in November, when 53 people, mainly members of the security forces, were killed by suspected jihadists. And on Saturday, a banned rally to protest against the government’s perceived failure led to dozens of arrests.
In Burkina Faso, mutinying soldiers made several demands, including the removal of the army’s chief of staff and the head of the intelligence service; more troops to be deployed to the front line; and better conditions for the wounded and soldiers’ families.
On Sunday, Defence Minister Gen Barthelemy Simpore downplayed previous rumours of the president’s capture, and the nature of the unrest at large.
State television, meanwhile, had characterised the sound of gunfire at military barracks as the actions of a small few disgruntled soldiers rather than a widespread fight or coup attempt.
Following comments made by the head coach of the Scorpions, Mr. Tom Saintfeit’s about Team Gambia’s accommodation at the Hotel La Vallee de Bana at a pre-match press conference at the Tagidor Garden Resort, The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has made some clarification for better understanding of the said submisssions of Saintfeit and apologized to organizers of the competition and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“Mr. Saintfiet was responding to a question posed by one of the reporters regarding the team’s accommodation. The Coach was quoted to have said in the media that six players are sharing a room in the height of a global coronavirus pandemic. However, what the Coach meant to say was that at the aforesaid hotel, there are apartments and in one of the apartments, there is one main entrance with three separate rooms with two players in each of the rooms with all six of them forced to share single toilet and bathroom,” GFF explained.
“He was raising concerns that in a tournament where CAF rules states that if one player tests positive for Covid19, his roommate will automatically miss the upcoming game that the roommate tested positive for. Thus, for six players to share one sanitation, therefore, risks the health of the players concerned. In this regard, the coach’s remarks were taken out of context and he did not in any way insinuate that six players were sharing one single room,” Gambia’s football governing body stated.
The GFF further clarified that just as in the case of Cape Verde, who are sharing the same hotel with us, Malawi, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe before us, except for four officials, players and staff are all sharing two persons to a room with one single bed, adding that CAF has made the same arrangements for all National Teams participating in the 2021 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations and no one team is treated better than the other.
“Also, contrary to a report where the Coach was purported to have admitted to the Cameroonian authorities this evening that what he said at the press conference wasn’t true. We wish to clarify, in no uncertain terms, that up to the time that we released this press release, Mr. Saintfiet hasn’t spoken to any medium or individual about the matter apart from what he had already said at the aforesaid press conference. Thus, the quotes attributed to him are false,” it emphasized.
The GFF said it would like to apologise to the Local Organising Committee and the Confederation of African Football as well as any party or individual who may have been offended by the remarks of the Coach. Neither the Coach, nor the Federation, have any intention of sabotaging the organisation of a competition where we’ve sent a signal to the entire continent and the world that we’re a force to be reckoned with.
In an interview with Radio France International (RFI), Manager [coach] of Gambia’s main football team Tom Saintfiet have expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as ‘disrespectful treatment’ being given to both players and technical members of the Scorpions who are currently competing in the ongoing 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
“Six players per room, two and a half hours from the stadium,” Gambia manager Tom Saintfiet disclosed, noting that his players are ‘disrespected’ as they prepare for their AFCON Round 16 encounter Guinea on Monday on 24 January 2022.
Tom emphasized that he is not happy with the kind of treatment they are getting at their hotel in Bafoussam in Cameroon.
“I’m not going to be happy with the hosting conditions. Six players sleep in the same room with the same sanitary and the same shower. Only two, three staff members have a single room, the others sleep together in the same bed, in the time of Covid,” Saintfiet described.
“I have worked 14 years in Africa, but I have never seen this type of condition in a tournament of such nature,” the Belgian says.
He added, “We are a small country like Malawi or Zimbabwe, but we have to be respected. We are here to make history. I have great players evolving in Europe, they are not respected by the organization, and it’s really a shame.”
Dr. Omar Bah, a US-based Gambian has announced his plan to contest the 2022 United States Congressional Election slated for November this year. Dr Bah will be contesting under the ticket of the Democratic Party, in hopes of replacing long time Rhode Island congressman James R. Langevin who recently announced his retirement.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Dr. Bah said he hopes to minimise the political polarization, protect the interest of the American people, especially Rhode Islanders.
‘’wish to confirm that I plan to run for US Congress. When Congressman Langevin recently announced his retirement, I saw a great opportunity to once again manifest the amazing opportunities I have had in this country since my arrival here as a refugee’’
‘’I will run as a democrat, but my hope is to help in uniting the country, represent the diversity and experiences of people in this country, and to build and promote a moderate tone in Washington’’
‘’There are numerous issues to tackle such as safe and affordable housing, healthcare, education, homelessness, crime, and climate change. I am not a career politician and therefore hope to help minimise the political polarisation and promote the interest of the American people, especially Rhode Islanders’’
‘’I also hope to be a source of inspiration for folks from various ethnicities who might as a result have the audacity to try out the American Dream and the possibilities abound’’
From 2002 – 2006, Dr. Omar Bah began publishing articles anonymously on the oppressive regime’s murders and torture practices in an online news site called Freedom Newspaper, which was operated by a Gambian exile in the US.
In May 2006, Freedom Newspaper’s website and emails were hacked by the government and Bah’s identity was exposed, which led to The Gambia Police Force declaring a national manhunt to find him, as they circulated his name and photograph in the media.
42 years old Bah fled to the United States in 2007 after he was declared wanted by former authoritarian ruler Yahya Jammeh.
In the hopes of addressing the gap between government-assisted resettlement and true integration for refugees, Bah started the non-profit organization Refugee Dream Center (RDC) in Providence, Rhode Island in 2015. Bah would be the first black US Congressman from Rhode Island.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Rhode Island and double Master’s in Public Administration and counselling psychology. He also holds a PHD in leadership psychology from the prominent Willaim James College in Boston.
French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted that French people who continue to refuse to get COVID-19 vaccines are not acting like citizens.
Macron made the remark during an interview published by the Le Parisien newspaper on Tuesday. The French president said he hoped to “hassle” those who were “irresponsible” enough to refuse vaccines into getting their jabs.
A bill that would effectively strip the unvaccinated of the right to participate in most aspects of public life is currently being debated in the French parliament.
“We have to tell them, you will no longer be able to go to the restaurant,” Macron said during the interview, according to a translation from The Guardian. “You will no longer be able to go for a coffee, you will no longer be able to go to the theatre. You will no longer be able to go to the cinema.”
“When my freedoms threaten those of others, I become someone irresponsible,” he added. “Someone irresponsible is not a citizen.”
Macron noted that “only a very small minority” of French citizens were still refusing the shots, with around 90% of the country’s eligible population already being vaccinated.
He argued that while he would not send the unvaccinated “to jail” or force them to get vaccines, “pis*** them off even more” could be an effective strategy for convincing the hesitant.
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth has described The Gambia as a beacon of democratic progress. Patricia Scotland who attended the president’s inauguration ceremony in Bakau congratulated Adama Barrow and the people of The Gambia.
Adama Barrow was sworn in as The Gambia’s 3rd and continuing President before a jubilant crowd of Gambians at the Independence Stadium. Commonwealth leaders, African heads-of-government and heads of international organisations attended the inauguration.
President Barrow expressed gratitude to The Gambian people and said:
“Today, we can comfortably conclude that my re-election for another five years is a vote of confidence in my government, a vote of acknowledgement of my achievements, a vote of endorsement of the path we have undertaken to follow, and a vote of acceptance of the democratic principles and values we stand for.
“It is also a vote of appreciation of who we are as a people and how we have branded ourselves, as well as a vote of the willingness of the people to come together and work together to pursue our dreams and aspirations. In short, it is a vote of hope and reassurance, a rejection of division and oppression, and a new legitimate mandate for me as President and Head of State of the Republic of The Gambia.”
Witnessing the swearing-in, the Secretary-General said: “Four years ago, when The Gambia re-joined the Commonwealth, it felt like an old friend, or a beloved brother or sister, coming back home.
“Today, my brothers and sisters, we can say together that our partnership will go from strength to strength.
“Our world faces profound and serious challenges, but I truly believe that The Gambia will shine like a beacon across the Commonwealth, just as the Commonwealth will shine like a beacon across the world.
“We can see, in the process of democracy, The Gambia’s light shine.
“Because at a time when democracy is under strain in many parts of our world, democracy in The Gambia is getting stronger.
“I hope the example of The Gambia’s journey will not only provide a strong foundation for The Gambia’s future but will also help to heal injured democratic process in other places.”
Africa’s top public health bodies have called for donated COVID-19 vaccines to come with a shelf life of three to six months so countries could plan their rollouts and avoid a situation where doses expire.
John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said 2.8 million doses of vaccine had expired on the continent, roughly 0.5% of the 572 million doses delivered to date. He said 10.4% of Africans were fully vaccinated.
“In terms of the 0.5 %, let me be very clear, any dose of vaccine that expired pains me because that is a life that can be potentially saved,” Nkengasong told a news briefing on Thursday
In a separate briefing, the World Health Organization regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, echoed Nkengasong’s call.
“Many countries indicate that they would like vaccines to be donated with at least three months of shelf life, if not more,” Moeti said.
Nkengasong said that expired doses were mostly among those donated by individual countries or via the global vaccine-sharing scheme COVAX and that they had arrived with “very short notice”.
It’s the tale of a boy who cheats on his fiancée -one misdeed too many in a selfish life and in desperation turns to a genie for help. The genie gives the errant lad five magic cowrie shells to wipe the slate clean, but these will only work if he uses them wisely.
This is the idea for a script pitched by Kine Niang, a 30-year-old student screenwriter at new film school in Senegal that hopes to unlock Africa’s movie-making potential.
Housed in a beautiful old office building converted into a cultural space in the capital Dakar, the school is the first venture in Africa by a ground-breaking collective that offers free training in filmmaking.
The scheme is being pushed by Ladj Ly, a French director and screenwriter who won the jury prize at Cannes in 2019 for “Les Miserables” — a film about urban violence, set in the gritty Paris suburb of Montfermeil where he grew up.
His collective, Kourtrajme, has already helped set up two other such schools, one in Montfermeil and the other in Marseille. They offer training in cinema and other audiovisual professions, free of charge and without conditions of age or academic qualifications.
Ly and Toumani Sangare, a director who co-founded Kourtrajme in 1995 and is the school’s co-head, both have roots in Mali and were keen to find their latest venture there. But serious unrest thwarted the plan.
Even in more peaceful Senegal, Ly and his partners would have appreciated a few magic cowries to make the task easier, with red tape and the COVID pandemic hampering progress.
Fame “opens a lot of doors”, said Ly, “but it is still an obstacle course, to tell yourself that you want to create free schools, open to all.”
The Presidential Taskforce that was charged with the responsibility of investigating the cause of what the authorities describe as ‘a painful nationwide gasoline shortage’ during the week of 31st October 2021 has uncovered fraud, massive procedural errors, dereliction of duty, recklessness and lack of transparency at GAM Petroleum fuel depot.
The Taskforce which was chaired by Trade & Employment Minister, Honourable Seedy Keita included members from State Intelligence Service (SIS); the Permanent Secretaries of Trade and Ministry of Petroleum (MOPE); Director-General of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA); Managing Directors of The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) and The Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
President Adama Barrow Visits GAM Petroleum Fuel Depot
The task force has after intense and comprehensive investigations presented its preliminary report to President Barrow on Wednesday 9th January 2022 at a session attended by the Vice President, a cross-section of Cabinet and members of the Security Services.
“Contrary to the reports and figures presented by Gam Petroleum (GP), The Taskforce found massive coverups and blatant disregard for established procedures,” the statement from the Presidential Taskforce signed by The Gambia Government Spokesperson Ebrima G Sankareh
Adding that, “significantly, the Taskforce found four out of the five gasoline tanks at the Gam Petroleum Depot in Mandinary were totally empty. The fifth tank in fact contained only 50,000 litres consisting of a mixture of gas oil and water. The stock of petrol as of 1st November 2021 was 910 metric tonnes and that of JET Fuel was 4,209 metric tonnes.”
The Taskforce went further to reveal that stocks entrusted to the National Depot by International Traders (Addax, Trafigura and PSTV) and local Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) were equally missing.
The total volume of products missing was 10,753 metric tonnes of petrol and 20,245 metric tonnes of gas oil with a cumulative value of approximately USD20, 968,100.
The Taskforce found that the missing stocks were issued without any legitimate authorization and the value of the unaccounted stock at pump price (including duties and taxes) was USD31, 265,972. The projected tax and duties throughput attached to these stock values is approximately USD10,297,872, which needed to be ascertained if paid or not. The investigations revealed that the Management of Gam Petroleum illegally allowed some OMCs to take fuel without proper authorization.
Moreover, the Taskforce also discovered weak oversight of the Depot operations and poor compliance with the regulatory framework of the Petroleum Products Act of 2016.
Equally, the Board of Gam Petroleum (GP) was weak and lax in checking Management’s blatant excesses.
In a crass disregard for supervisory instructions, the Management of Gam Petroleum provided fraudulent, dodgy and terribly misleading information and was equally, not forthcoming with reliable facts during the review by the Presidential Taskforce.
Consequently, the Taskforce recommends that PURA’s Management strengthens its regulatory oversight functions over GP and ensure that the National Strategic Reserve mechanism as stipulated in Section 25 of the Petroleum Products Act, 2016, be fully enforced.
In addition to PURA, the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Weights and Measures Department of the Trade Ministry should deploy staff at the Depot until the situation is adequately normalized.
The restructuring of Gam Petroleum should include the constitution of a new Board of Directors, immediate appointment of an interim management, rustication of the current management with subsequent legal processing for wrongdoings, formation of an Audit Committee, implementation of appropriate modern software for stock management and prosecution of all persons and entities directly and indirectly responsible for the stock theft and national gasoline shortage. Lost stock must be legally recovered.
Crucially, The Presidential Taskforce recommends that the current practice of elevating the Second Layer of Management to oversee the operations of Gam Petroleum and the Depot be immediately halted as it is inconsistent with standards of best practice and a recipe for unabated malpractice and or corporate fraud.
Further, the National Audit Office (NAO) should review the audit reports by PKF to ascertain the position of GP at the time of the takeover from Euro Africa Group. This NAO exercise should be followed by forensic audit of Gam Petroleum by an independent firm to determine the full extent of the losses including any taxes that may be due to the State.
Accordingly, H.E. President Adama Barrow strongly assures Gambians and partners of his Government’s unwavering commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring that fair and transparent business practices are upheld with equal opportunities for all in the country.
The High Court in Banjul has ordered the suspension of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) inquiry pending the decision of the court.
The Kanifing Municipal Council through its legal representative filed an ex-parte motion asking for the suspension of the commission that was set up by the Local Government Ministry to investigate allegations of corruption and other malpractices at the council.
According to court documents, the council argues the Ministry’s decision to institute the commission is wrong in law in that the mandatory preconditions set out in section 151 (2) of the Local Government Act have not been met, that the decision is ultra vires, illegal and in excess of the powers of the Minister; that the decision of the Minister is unreasonable, illegal and an abuse of power in that part of the subject matter of the commission is pending before another suit at the high court; that the decision of the Minister is unreasonable and contrary to natural justice as the subject matters of the commission were subject of an Inspection and Report which have not been shared with the Applicant; amongst others.
Justice Mahoney who was authorized by the Chief Justice to hear the case has since ordered the KMC Inquiry to suspend all its proceeding until the court gets a response from the Local Government Minister Musa Drammeh and the Attorney General.
The Ministry of Local Government some few weeks ago established a commission of inquiry to investigate the Kanifing Municipal Council on corruption allegations and other related matters from 2018 to date.
In August 2021, the Kanifing Municipal Council under Lord Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda was involved in a huge corruption scandal amid reports that the then Deputy Mayor Musa Bah solicited bribes of up to 1 million dalasis from a company.
The Council’s CEO Sainabou Martin Sonko was also mentioned in these allegations after internal audit discovered she allegedly obtained a loan to a tune of 12 million dalasis in the name of the council’s staff association without their knowledge or consent.
Gambia’s national male football team (the Scorpions) have made it to Round 16 of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon 2021) in Cameroon.
Also, Gambian forward Musa Barrow’s 90-minute penalty against Mali helped the Scorpions to secure a draw. The team had three goals in their three matches and conceded only one goal against Mali.
The Scorpions started the game very strongly in Limbé. Barrow found Ablie Jallow who controlled the ball from the right before putting a strike with his left foot into the net of the Tunisian goalkeeper.
The Scorpions made their first encounter against Mauritania on 12 January at Omnisport Stadium in Limbe in Cameroon and won the game 1-0 making it their first victory in the tournament. The Scorpions later played and drew against Mali on 16 January at Omnisport Stadium in Limbe where it shared equal points at a time when Mali was leading the game in the 79 minute with Musa Djenepo’s spot kick before Musa Barrow equalized for the Gambia in the 90 minute.
In the third and final group stage game with Tunisia on Thursday 20 January, The Scorpions won by 1-0 through Ablie Jallow’s stoppage time strike that earn Gambia a shocking victory.
Now the boys are through to the knockout stage (Round 16) with seven points and will be playing against Guinea on Monday 24 January 2022 at Bafoussam in the Western Island of Cameroon. A win for The Gambia will help them through to the quarter final stage of the tournament.
President Adama Barrow has used his first speech as Gambia’s new president to acknowledge that the tasks ahead are many, complicated, and difficult to tackle but reaffirmed his commitment to deliver for the people of Gambia.
This the president said will be done through the harnessing of resources and building of national knowledge and technology capabilities. This is expected to ultimately energise the country’s development effort.
“Based on first-hand experience, I am fully aware that the tasks that lie ahead are many, complicated, and difficult to tackle. Each of our sectors has huge gaps to fill. We will harness our resources, build our knowledge and technology capabilities with the relevant skills and competencies to energise our development efforts,” President Barrow said.
He further revealed that he strongly believes that with better quality education, institutions will impact the lives of the citizens more significantly, address the technology requirements for the agriculture sector and be more impactful in the fight to eradicate the poverty levels across the country.
Working together President Barrow says can foster understanding and attain national development goals in the mutual interest of the people.
“I am convinced that there is nothing a people cannot attain if they unite and have a common will to succeed. The potential that lies in our human resource is massive and offers a source of optimism, courage and determination to succeed,” the president said.
He used the opportunity to pledge his commitment to putting more emphasis on uplifting the status of all Gambians, especially the under-privileged and vulnerable Gambians in underserved communities. Whilst promising that under his administration development will be distributed within all the regions of the country.
The president climaxed by making a rallying call for collective, decisive and positive participation of all Gambians, irrespective of ethnic or political affiliation, gender, or religion.
Secretary General of Commonwealth, Hon. Patricia Scotland has pledged her organization’s support to The Gambia.
She made the commitment on Friday 21 January 2022 at an engagement with President at his State House office in Banjul.
Hon. Scotland heads the Commonwealth delegation to President barrow’s second inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday 19 January.
Ex-president Yahya Jammeh pulled The Gambia out of the Commonwealth in 2013, a decision that was reversed by President Adama Barrow upon defeating Jammeh in the 2016 presidential election.
The Commonwealth Secretary General applauded the conduct of the presidential election which she referred to as free and fair, commending President Barrow’s inaugural speech of being inclusive of all Gambians. She also praised Gambia’s reengagement with the Commonwealth as a positive that will benefit the country and its people in many ways.
In another development, Emperor Naruhito of Japan is amongst the latest world leaders to extend a message of well wishes and happiness for H.E President Barrow and the prosperity of the people of the Gambia.
The Japanese Prime Minister His Excellency Kishida Fumio also congratulated President Barrow for his reelection.
Also, President Barrow received another message of best wishes from His Excellency, Alassane Ouattara President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick said Cristiano Ronaldo‘s angry reaction to being substituted “doesn’t benefit anyone” but that he does not believe it was an attempt by the striker to challenge his authority.
Rangnick said after the game the reaction was “normal,” but speaking at a news conference on Friday, the interim boss accepted it would have been better had the 36-year-old controlled his emotions.
Pep Guardiola on future: I won’t ‘betray’ Manchester City
Pep Guardiola says he will not “betray” Manchester City when it finally comes time to leave the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola has remained tight-lipped about what he might do when his contract runs out in 2023.
There has been speculation he could work in Major League Soccer with City’s sister club New York City FC or take on a national team job, but whatever he decides, the 51-year-old says he will put City first.
“I won’t think about the future when I still have the contract I have,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. “I’m not good enough to think far, far away. My future always depends on results, I’m not concerned. I’m good here, comfortable, they gave me everything.
Man United out of Haaland running as Real Madrid emerge as favourites
Haaland, 21, is expected to leave Dortmund at the end of the season due to a €75 million release clause becoming active in his contract at the Bundesliga club this summer.
United failed to sign Haaland from FC Salzburg when he moved to Dortmund in January 2020, despite the club maintaining a long-standing interest dating back to his emergence as a 16-year-old at Molde in Norway.
FIFA’s Gianni Infantino meets with English players union to talk workload, congested seasons
FIFA President Gianni Infantino assured players during talks Thursday that a reshaped international calendar will tackle their workload and congested seasons, while backing away from heavily pushing biennial World Cups.
The Professional Footballers’ Association leadership has previously called FIFA’s desire to double the frequency of World Cups “a source for concern,” reflecting wider criticism across Europe of the plans that have stalled amid opposition.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says his heart is ‘absolutely fine’ after check-up
The Gabon football federation said last week that tests conducted in Cameroon after the player was positive for COVID-19 had found cardiac lesions.
“Hi guys, I came back to London to do some additional checks, and I’m very happy to say that my heart is absolutely fine and I’m completely healthy,” Aubameyang said in an Instagram post.
FIFA set to cap number of loan transfers from next season to prevent ‘player hoarding’
FIFA is set to implement rules in which clubs will be limited in signing and sending players on loan internationally from next season so that more focus can be given to developing talent, world football’s governing body said on Thursday.
The objective of the regulations, delayed by two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is to “develop young players, promote competitive balance and prevent hoarding,” FIFA said in a statement.
Clubs will be limited to eight international loan signings in and eight loaned out from next season, with the number dropping to seven the next year and then remaining at six from 2024-25 onwards.
Cristiano Ronaldo demanded to know why he had been substituted – and not one of Manchester United’s younger players – in his pitchside moan during the 3-1 win at Brentford.
Ronaldo, 36, was upset at being taken off during the win in west London on Wednesday night and now Rangnick has revealed what was said between the pair.
“Cristiano is a prolific goal scorer and a player who always wants to play and score goals. He was also asking ‘why me not one of the younger players?’” said Rangnick.
Marcus Rashford, 24, scored United’s third soon after replacing Ronaldo, who has since suffered a neck injury and is now a doubt for Saturday’s game with West Ham. Mason Greenwood and Anthony Elanga had earlier given the visitors a 2-0 lead at the Brentford Community Stadium.
“The answer came five minutes later when one of the younger players scored the third goal,” Rangnick added.
“Maybe Cristiano could also have scored that goal but football is not always ‘maybe’, it’s about making a decision in the right moment. Until then we were 2-0 up, Cristiano made an assist for the second goal.
“He has not been substituted, I believe, for the first time in his career. There have been a few other substitutions as far as I know, even under Sir Alex. A player like Cristiano doesn’t like to be substituted, that is pretty normal. His reaction was emotional but for me, not a problem at all.”
