By Dawda Baldeh

The 2024 Afrobarometer survey indicates that Gambians are most concerned about health, the cost of living, and crime, and they want the government to address these issues promptly.

According to the survey, 55% of Gambians want health-related issues to be tackled, which is an increase from 33% in 2018.

In terms of the cost of living, 45% of respondents expressed concern in 2024, while 34% want crime to be addressed, up from just 14% in 2018.

The findings indicate that health is the most critical issue necessitating government action.

The survey further explores other aspects of governance and citizens’ perceptions of the nation’s progress.

Over three-quarters (77%) of Gambians believe the country is heading in the “wrong direction,” a notable increase of 48 percentage points since 2018.

Regarding economic conditions, only about 19% of Gambians rate the country’s financial situation as “fairly good” or “very good,” which represents a significant decline of 39 points from 2018, when the figure was 58%.

When evaluating the performance of leaders, the survey reveals that “a majority of Gambians disapprove of the performance of the president (62%), members of Parliament (65%), and local government councillors (60%) over the past year.”

During a session to present the survey findings, Project Director Sait Matty Jaw, emphasised the survey’s significance in shaping citizens’ perceptions of government and governance, ensuring they are well-informed.

He encouraged journalists to continue consulting experts on the issues raised by Gambians in the survey that they wish the government to address.

“Keep the discussion ongoing [and] engage the experts on the key issues raised by citizens,” he stated.

He also encouraged journalists to utilize this data as a tool to pose critical questions.

Ms. Mariam Davies, Program Manager at the Center for Research and Policy Development (CRPD), praised the role of journalists in amplifying citizens’ voices and how they simplify the survey findings for public comprehension.

“You are experts in your field, and you can help simplify our work to the public to ensure they easily understand [it],” she said.

The survey indicates that health, rising living costs, and crime/security are the three most significant issues citizens want the government to tackle.

Citizens report that the country’s economic situation has deteriorated since 2018, necessitating prompt government intervention.

Moreover, many respondents acknowledge improvements during President Barrow’s administration concerning freedom of speech, youth involvement in politics, women’s participation in politics, respect for human rights, and the maintenance of law and order.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency has detained at least three Nigerian citizens for possessing illegal drugs.

The agency stated that the suspects’ capture was facilitated through cooperation with other partners after receiving intelligence regarding the intended smuggling of drugs from India.

“The Directorate of Operation worked together with other partners at the airport and executed an intelligence-led sting operation that led to the arrest of three (3) Nigerian nationals and the seizure of 40,227 ecstasy tablets.

“The operation commenced in late November 2024 after the Agency’s CTI command received intelligence about the planned smuggling of illicit drugs into the country from India,” DLEAG said.

Moreover, the agency highlighted that it collaborated with other entities, including the Agency’s Airport Command, Gambia Revenue Authority Airport Command, and officers at Amdalai to oversee the situation.

“To evade arrest upon receiving the package, the sender intentionally provided a false address and fictitious telephone numbers on the package,” the agency said in a report.

However, the agency continued to monitor the unclaimed package (at Red Coat) while another team was assigned to track any Persons of Interest (POI) related to the case.

“Two (2) of the primary suspects reside in Latrikunda Sabiji and Bundung in the Kanifing Municipality, while the third lives in Amdalai in the North Bank Region.

“After several weeks of covert operations concerning individuals linked to the unclaimed package, and with sufficient information gathered and analysed, the team dispatched officers on 18th December 2024 to arrest the three suspects, all of whom are Nigerians,” the report indicated.

The suspects are identified as Ikechukweu Livinus Akwusaia, also known as I.K, residing in Amdalai; Ifeanacho Raphael, who lives in Latrikunda Sabiji and operates a restaurant in Bambo; and Sunday Ainbgaoso from Bundung, who runs a shop in Serrekunda.

“They are all in custody,” DLEAG stated, adding that on 19th December 2024, the three suspects were escorted to the Airport where DLEAG and GRA officials opened the unclaimed package and inspected it in their presence.

“Additionally, the contents of the package were weighed and determined to be 26.4 kilograms of ecstasy.

Subsequently, the package was handed over to DLEAG for further investigation.
Further counting at DLEAG’s CTI office confirmed that the package contained forty thousand, two hundred and twenty-seven (40,227) ecstasy tablets.”

Key findings from DLEAG regarding the case reveal the following: I.K. is a nephew of the sender (consignor), who is reportedly named Frayo and resides in India.

Likewise, I.K. was assigned the task of coordinating the clearance of the package.
Ifeanacho Raphael was expected to finance the clearance of the package at the Red Coat airport office.

However, he was unable to gather the required funds to pay an individual who was supposed to clear the package for them.

Sunday Ainbgaoso’s role was to coordinate and physically collect the package from an undisclosed person for a fee believed to be several hundreds of thousands of Dalasis.
The three suspects remain in custody while further investigations into the matter are ongoing, according to the agency.

DLEAG attributed the success of this operation to their enhanced collaboration with various stakeholders to strengthen their efforts against illicit drug activities and expressed appreciation to the Gambia Revenue Authority and the Airport Command for their support.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Senegalese Prime Minister, His Excellency Ousman Sonko, visited Banjul at the end of the week, where he engaged in discussions with Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe on key developmental issues. Reflecting on the visit, Mayor Lowe said, “Thank you to a friend and a dear brother, His Excellency Ousman Sonko, for this historical visit. The last three days were hectic for everyone doing service to our two nations. However, it was more than a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak about important issues concerning the transformation of my city, Banjul, that we could not talk about during the last few months.”

The Mayor described the Prime Minister as “the respectful, brave, and pious Ousman” and expressed appreciation for their fruitful discussions. She also extended her thanks to Haddy Kebbeh Sonko, whom she affectionately referred to as “my lady,” for her support during the visit and for making her birthday special.

Additionally, Mayor Lowe expressed gratitude to The Gambian government, saying, “I wish to sincerely thank the government of The Gambia, especially the President, His Excellency Adama Barrow, for a successful forum. I also wish to thank the Vice President, His Excellency Muhammad BS Jallow, for making my brother’s stay a memorable one.”

The visit further strengthened the ties between Senegal and The Gambia, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to shared development goals.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Banjul City Council (BCC) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the immediate removal of all vehicles and building materials from the roadways in the city.

In a statement obtained by The Fatu Network, the BCC announced that it will be conducting an operation to remove all illegal vehicle parking in Banjul.

“BCC wishes to inform the General Public, particularly vehicle owners and individuals who left unattended rubble, sand, and other construction materials of this important information,” the statement said.

“A 48-hour ultimatum is hereby issued for immediate removal of all vehicles parked on the roadways and any impediments obstructing pedestrians and road users,” the statement added.

The Council reiterated its commitment to maintaining clear and accessible roadways for all road users and the cooperation of the General Public is highly solicited.

“Any individual who has left sand, rubble, or any other construction materials on the street is hereby urged to respect this directive within two days effective from the date of publication of the press release,” BCC said.

Furthermore, BCC stressed that any non-compliance to this directive will lead to the enforcement of the law and regulations.

“This may include the towing of vehicles and potential penalty fee for obstructing public roadways,” according to the BCC statement.

The council said the primary goal of this important exercise is geared towards keeping the City of Banjul clean.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), has arrested one Alieu Njie, a 41-year-old Germany-based Gambian on Tuesday at the Banjul International Airport for possession of prohibited drugs.

Njie who holds a Gambian passport and Germany permit was interrogated at the airport hall upon arrival from via SN Brussels 233.

“He was arrested with ten packs of ecstasy tablets amounting to Fourty Seven thousand and seventy-eight (47078) tablets of Ecstasy by DLEAG/JAITF officer at the arrival hall on the 17 December 2024,” DLEAG said.

Njie’s arrest is among the many cases of the agency continue to make from travelers using the airport to smuggle prohibited drugs from different countries.