By: Dawda Baldeh

The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) is taking a significant step to address littering issues within its jurisdiction by enforcing Anti-Littering Laws. During a press conference held at the council’s offices on Friday, KMC Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda announced the launch of Operation Sanity, a campaign widely considered essential for restoring order.

The operation aims to clean up the entire municipality by implementing the Anti-Littering Laws outlined in the Local Government By-Laws approved by the Mayor on June 9, 2020. Sections 4, 7, 8, and 9 of the by-laws empower the Mayor under Section 54 of the Local Government Act. These sections address issues such as nuisance, the removal of sand and gravel, private sewage pipes, and the disposal of waste and hazardous materials.

“The operation will focus on cleaning and removing waste from all major highways and streets, including abandoned vehicles, sand, gravel, waste, illegal sewage connections to drains, burning hazardous materials, and managing stray animals in public areas,” Mayor Bensouda informed the media.

The council stated that offenders could face penalties of up to one thousand dalasis or three months in prison. “We will not displace any vendors. We will ensure they maintain cleanliness in their areas or face penalties. If you are selling at a location, make sure to manage your waste and dispose of it properly,” he said.

The KMC Mayor emphasized that maintaining cleanliness in the municipality is a collective responsibility. “We don’t just aim to impose fines; we want people to take responsibility. As a council, we recognize that many of our citizens are struggling financially, which is why we have set the fine at D1,000 or three months’ imprisonment. Each offense under the by-laws will incur a charge of D1,000,” he clarified.

Mayor Bensouda also pointed out that the council’s Act does not allow for higher fines and that collaboration with the central government is necessary to make further changes. He then underscored the importance of keeping the environment clean for the health and well-being of all residents. “We cannot allow littering everywhere, as it pollutes our environment and makes it unpleasant,” he stated.

He expressed hope that this initiative would have a positive impact on efforts to combat littering in the KMC. “We do not wish to resort to imprisoning individuals for littering, nor do we have the authority to do so. We refer offenders to the police for appropriate action,” he elaborated.

Bensouda, currently serving his second term as KMC Mayor, highlighted that the council has launched several initiatives to address development challenges. However, he informed reporters that a lack of cooperation with the central government has hindered many of these efforts. “If we had support or collaboration from the central government, we could achieve much more, but we are in a situation where everything is influenced by politics,” he remarked.

The operation, set to begin on January 27, will include caravan tours aimed at educating the public on the importance of maintaining a clean environment and adhering to littering regulations to enhance compliance.

By Mama A. Touray

During his inspection of the ongoing construction of the University of The Gambia Faraba Campus Lot Two project, which houses the law faculty, School of Agriculture, and the chancellery building, President Adama Barrow’s hopes of inaugurating the building during this year’s Independence Anniversary were dashed, as the project—especially the chancellery building—fails to near completion.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the state of the project, President Barrow said, “The explanation is too much. These are big contractors, and you should always try to avoid this. We are targeting to open these buildings as part of our 60th Independence Anniversary, but what we are seeing, I am not happy with. The moment I was approaching the building, it changed my mood.”

He continued, “To be honest, when I was in my office, there was a picture in my head. Definitely, that picture is not on the ground because of the target time we have for this project. The project is way behind schedule because we targeted this project to be part of our Independence Celebration,” he said.

After expressing his dissatisfaction, he held a closed-door meeting with the contractors, engineers, and consultants, after which he briefed the media.

“We have discussed with the contractor and consultant. They will give us a realistic revised work plan, and we will receive this revised work plan on Friday. We will discuss it with them to see what the realistic time frame is for completing this phase two because it is important,” he told the media.

He further informed the media that about ninety percent of the structural work for the law faculty and School of Agriculture has been completed, with only the sanctuary left for completion.

“It’s just the sanctuary that’s delayed, and there are technical issues that caused the delay, as well as issues with our donors. However, we are one hundred percent sure that we will deliver the project before the end of the year. That is our target, and we are sure of that,” he said.

Barrow, however, urged the contractors to work harder in delivering the project. “The company is a big company, and they have the capacity to do more than what they are doing. So, we are encouraging them to stretch their muscles to make sure we achieve completing phase two.”

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

For decades, it has been customary for the presidency to close entire highway lanes to accommodate the presidential motorcade—a practice often justified by the need to ensure security, prevent traffic disruption, and assert authority, though it frequently caused significant inconvenience to the public.

Yesterday, in a rare occurrence, President Barrow’s motorcade was seen sharing a two-way lane with the public, allowing traffic to flow freely for everyone. While this may not indicate a complete departure from tradition, could it suggest a shift toward a new norm or reflect greater security for the country?

The International Trade Centre (ITC) held an orientation ceremony for 50 young people at the Crab Island Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre in Bwiam on Wednesday, January 15.

This fully funded programme, which includes full tuition fees and stipends for all students, aims to improve livelihood opportunities and promote sustainable development by empowering youth with technical and vocational skills.

Over the next nine months, 25 students will receive training in solar installation, while another 25 will receive training in hairdressing and beauty.

The programme seeks to address youth unemployment by providing hands-on training that enhances employability and opens doors for income-generating opportunities.

This initiative is part of ITC’s efforts under its United Nations Peacebuilding Fund to promote social cohesion through economic empowerment.

Bubacarr Trawally of the International Trade Centre encouraged the students to take the opportunity seriously. He stressed ITC’s commitment to leaving no one behind in economic opportunities. “Inclusion is key to driving progress,” he said. He also touched on how the joint UN-WTO agency is working closely with the Foni Agency for Rural Development to make a difference in Foni.

Hon. Ousman Sillah of Crab Island gave a rundown of the institution’s activities and thanked ITC for the funding as well as the Foni Dinding Federation for their partnership. He reiterated the institution’s commitment to empowering young people with relevant skills.

This batch of 50 young people joins the previous 50, making a total of 100 youth currently enrolled in training programmes, with 50 more having enrolled at Sterling Technical Training Centre last month – all funded by ITC.

International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transitioning economies to become more competitive.

By Ousman Saidykhan

Ousainou Bojang, who is on trial for allegedly killing two PIU officers, said during a court session that he sometimes struggles to breathe in his confinement cell, which he described as “very hot” and without a window, making him feel as though the prison officers are “suffocating him”.

“At the confinement in Mile II, there are one-man cells. The cell I am occupying has no window and is very hot there. Sometimes, I can’t even have proper breathing. To breathe properly, sometimes, I have to come down and lie on the floor closer to the door, so [that] I can breathe,” said Ousainou Bojang.

Ousainou is standing trial for allegedly killing two PIU officers and injuring one in a shooting incident at Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Lights on September 12, 2023. He has since denied the charges.

The state called 13 witnesses before closing its case in July last year. After being asked to open defence when his “no case to answer” failed, Ousainou, in his evidence, denied the allegations put up against him by the prosecution and its 13 witnesses.

He is now almost at the finishing point of his evidence-in-chief and has decided to bring the attention of the court to the manner in which he is allegedly being treated at the confinement.

Speaking in court, Ousainou, said: “Sometimes, the chamber pot is also in the same cell with me. When I open it, the smell covers the whole cell, giving me no space to breathe.”

According to Ousainou, the key to the door of his cell is not with the officers in the prison.

“They took [it] to the riot squad and gave it to them.

“I’m the first person they put and lock inside the cell every day, and the I am last person they would open the door for every morning to come out.

“So, I have the feeling that these people are suffocating me because I have suffered a lot in that cell,” he said.

He also said the police are having his mobile phones – “simple phone” and “smartphone”.  Although the phones were taken from him during investigations, they were not tendered in court.

He alleged that he last saw the “smartphone” with one Ebou Sowe at the Anti-Crime Unit, and the “simple phone” with one Lamin Cham.

“Ebou Sowe asked me to unlock the phone for him. I opened it and he went through my WhatsApp and call logs and realised I was telling the truth. He walked away,” Ousainou told the court.

Ousainou’s sister, Amie Bojang, the second accused, is also being tried along with him. She is accused of assisting Ousainou to escape after the alleged crime.

The matter has been adjourned to Monday, January 20, 2025.