By: Dawda Baldeh

Residents in rural Gambia had expressed serious concerns over the planned bread price hike, urging the government to intervene. The Bakers Union had announced plans to increase the price of bread from D10 to D13 dalasis, set to take effect on Monday, 17 February 2025, just ahead of the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary. This announcement sparked widespread alarm, particularly among families already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Lamin Boye, a resident of Boiram village, shared his concerns, stating, “Ramadan is just around the corner, and we expect prices to reduce, not increase.” Many locals, particularly in rural areas, highlighted how bread is a staple food and that any increase in its price would negatively impact their daily lives.

Kumba Jallow, a resident of Sinchu Dembel, echoed similar concerns during a conversation at the Brikama-ba weekly market (Lumo). “Let the government intervene and help us because things are already difficult for people in this country,” she said, adding that the rising cost of living is already a significant burden for families.

Modou Jobe, a local shopkeeper, also voiced his concerns, urging bakers to reconsider the price increase. “If the price of bread increases, it will affect us,” he said, noting that bread is a key item in their sales. “I’m sure the bakers have a justification for the planned price increase, but I urge them to reconsider their decision,” he added.

Mariam Ceesay, a food vendor, stressed the financial hardship that an increase in bread prices would cause for families, particularly during Ramadan. “Even if the price of bread goes up to D20, people will buy it because they don’t have any other choice. This will affect families,” she explained, adding that government support was crucial at this time.

In response to the growing backlash, the Bakers Union announced that it would “temporarily” suspend the planned price hike and enter into talks with the government to address the concerns of the public. The Union’s decision marks a shift in the initial plan, with hopes of reaching a more favorable outcome for both bakers and consumers.

By: Alieu Jallow

In a commendable act of community development, Sanna Jawneh, a proactive resident of the Pipeline neighborhood, has taken the initiative to construct a feeder road within his street. This endeavor aims to complement the government’s efforts in infrastructure development and alleviate movement challenges faced by residents.

Mr. Jawneh recognized the difficulties caused by inadequate road conditions, especially during the rainy season. Motivated by a desire to improve accessibility and enhance the quality of life for his neighbors, he mobilized personal resources to embark on the construction of the feeder road.

“Since I got the place in 1996, it used to be a waterway, and it caused a whole lot of damage because of the force of the erosion that came with it. It divided the street into two parts, with the middle road where the water would pass. I couldn’t park on the street, and on the other side, it was turned into a dumping site. People would come and throw their trash all over, and during the rainy season, you couldn’t pass. Vehicles couldn’t pass, and there were grasses all over. People fell on the street. So I decided—since I’m here now, I’m back, I’m the owner of the place—I decided to level it to make it accessible for vehicles and pedestrians,” he stated.

Jawneh, who is a retired neuro-sociologist in the U.S., claims to have spent over three hundred thousand dalasis to make the street accessible and motorable. However, he lamented that he has faced numerous challenges, both from the Kanifing Municipal Council and Bakary Manneh, the safety manager at the National Roads Authority, who led the operation to clear the roads. He alleged that both Manneh and the council were acting under the influence of a neighbor to demolish the concrete feeder road he built to make the street accessible.

“I spent over 300 thousand dalasis on this road to get it fixed. But every time I made improvements, they would bring in heavy equipment to demolish the whole street. This has happened multiple times. The last time, I traveled to the U.S. in October or November, and while I was away, they came and demolished the whole road again, bursting and damaging water lines. They then told NAWEC that it was me, the owner of the home, who brought in the grader to demolish the road, which wasn’t true. I’m trying to be a good citizen. I don’t depend on the government to do everything, and I feel that it is the responsibility of citizens to contribute in conjunction with what the government is doing,” he alleged.

Joseph Biyandoma, a middle-aged man, and Elizabeth Coker, an eighty-two-year-old woman, are neighbors of Mr. Jawneh who lamented the challenges they faced over the years, stressing that the road was in extremely bad condition and had turned into a dumping site. They highlighted how his efforts will help ease movement, improve health conditions, and ensure safety.

“I’m happy because, in the past, my fence fell twice. Now the place is okay. After the rains, you couldn’t pass here because of the water,” Elizabeth outlined.

“Mr. Jawneh has done a very good job here because this particular street was in terrible condition. When it rained, you dared not use this end of the road. If you passed here, you would either fall, or vehicles wouldn’t be able to pass. Kids used to fall into the water. It was also a dumping site, and I’m very happy that this is no longer the case,” Joseph applauded.

Feeder roads play a crucial role in connecting communities to main roads and facilitating access to essential services, markets, and educational institutions. The Gambia’s National Transport Policy (2018-2027) emphasizes the importance of such roads, noting that “the poor state of the feeder roads constrains access to economic opportunities and social services for the rural population.”

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Sulayman Janneh Sumareh, Deputy Managing Director General of the National Roads Authority, underscored the authority’s commitment to supporting environmentally vulnerable communities and stated that they have no interest in deterring private citizens from developing their streets. He stressed that Mr. Jawneh was offered numerous technical recommendations to help him achieve his objective of creating a motorable road.

“I personally sent a team of engineers to advise him on what to do and how to do it effectively. If he chooses not to take our advice and proceeds in his own way—I have seen videos of neighbors’ homes inundated because of how he elevated the road without providing any drainage system to direct the water away. He did not create any underground drainage to discharge water outward or connect it to the corresponding street,” Sumareh stated.

Regarding Mr. Jawneh’s claims of being arrested under the directives of the National Roads Authority, Mr. Sumareh acknowledged that the directive came from their office following what they deemed unwelcoming remarks from Mr. Jawneh about leveraging his personal resources to act independently.

“He said, ‘I have my money, and I will spend my money. This is Gambia—if you have money, you can do whatever you want to do.’ That was the reason why we sent the police to arrest him last time when he made that statement. Everything he has been doing is essentially wrong. In this case, we don’t mind providing him with technical assistance—since he wants to spend his money, we are willing to guide him—but we cannot validate or allow him to bully his neighbors just because he feels he has money or lives in the United States. Right is right, and wrong is wrong,” he added.

The Fatu Network tried to reach out to the Kanifing Municipal Council for comments, but our efforts were unsuccessful.

While the government has made strides in infrastructure development, including the reconstruction of urban roads in the Greater Banjul Area, challenges persist. However, community-led initiatives, such as the one undertaken by Sanna Jawneh, are instrumental in bridging these gaps. They not only enhance local infrastructure but also foster a sense of ownership and collective responsibility among residents—an act of civic responsibility that aligns with broader national efforts to improve transportation networks, underscoring the vital role of individual and community participation in nation-building.

By: Mama A. Touray

Graduates of the Gambia Songhai Initiative shared their testimonies with The Fatu Network on the impact of their 12-month in-campus training on their lives.

This year-long training, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, aims to equip young people, women, returnees, and marginalized groups with skills in an integrated farming system.

The program covers areas such as agroforestry, poultry production and management, animal husbandry, horticulture and vegetable gardening, business planning, and other entrepreneurial skills.

Fahinta Mbaye, a resident of Niamina East in the Central River Region, highlighted the impact the training had on her.

“I am beyond excited. There were challenges I encountered when I came here, but with patience, I was able to overcome them. I have also learned a lot that I never knew before, such as gardening and poultry farming, among other things. Anyone who graduates from here will not regret it because you will be able to create a job for yourself,” she said.

Louisa Mendy also shared how the year-long training impacted her.

“I can stand firmly and say that I can do anything I have learned here by myself. GSI has trained me in many things beyond gardening and compost making. It has also taught me laundry, cooking, and discipline,” she stated.

While many graduates emphasized how the training improved their agricultural skills, Mario A. Mendy shared a different perspective on its impact.

“I served in the military for fourteen years, and now I have completed this year-long integrated training. When I return to the campus, I will share the wealth of experience I have gained. Being in Chamen for one year has changed me significantly, especially my temper and behavior. The way I used to act in town and towards my comrades has changed significantly due to the high level of discipline at GSI,” he explained.

The coordinator of the Gambia Songhai Initiative, Mbaye Saine, encouraged young people to apply and take advantage of the GSI program.

He added that GSI, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, will continue to empower young people to ensure they acquire the skills needed to make a difference in their lives.

“I know we are facing challenges as a country in terms of employment, livelihood, and food security, but these young men and women who have graduated are well-trained to start earning a living for themselves and their families,” he said.

Mbaye assured that GSI will continue monitoring the progress of the graduates and supporting them whenever the opportunity arises.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, outlined the objectives of the training program and its source of funding.

“This is a very practical agricultural training center run by the Ministry of Youth and Sports that trains young people annually. We have graduated the eleventh batch, and the twelfth batch of seventy-four students, mostly from rural areas interested in agricultural activities, are set to begin their year-long training,” he said.

Explaining the source of funding, he added, “The government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, fully funds the activities of these young people, including their residency, free accommodation, feeding, and some medical expenses for a full twelve months.”

As they return home, the graduates were provided with wheelbarrows, watering cans, and other agricultural materials to encourage them to apply the knowledge they have gained.

Karpowership has officially handed over a newly constructed guardroom to The Gambia Navy, highlighting its commitment to its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The ceremony was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including His Excellency Ambassador F Turka Oba, Lieutenant General Mamat OA Cham (Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces), Lord Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy Mr. Lamin Camara, Commander Sambou Barrow Chief of Navy Staff, Turkish Military Representatives, Karpowership representatives, Commercial Operations Director Mr. Emre Durmusoglu and country Director Omar Njie.

The handover of the guardroom marks another step in Karpowership’s efforts to support the Gambia Navy. It will serve not only as a structure but as a symbol of its commitment to the security and well-being of the nation. The facility is built to support the brave men and women who serve in the navy, protecting the Gambia waters and ensuring the safety of its shores.

Karpower’s CSR projects are meticulously designed to improve the lives of the local communities. Through its One World philosophy, it has run hundreds of programs across areas including education, healthcare, environment, social equity, and youth welfare, investing in communities as a valued partner of The Gambia.

Karpowership has been supplying nearly 40% of The Gambia’s electricity demand for close to 8 years and continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering sustainable development within the communities.

By Alieu Jallow

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Seedy Muctarr Touray, has issued a stern warning that all vehicles operating without number plates will be impounded and subjected to heavy fines. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Police Crime Unit today, where he emphasized the police force’s commitment to curbing lawlessness on the roads.

IGP Touray emphasized that, effective immediately, any driver or commuter who wishes to enjoy the comfort of their vehicle without discomfort must ensure their number plate is fixed.

“From here today, any driver or commuter who wants to enjoy the comfort of their vehicle without causing discomfort to innocent children who should be transported to and from school, please ensure your number plates are on your vehicles. Failure to do so will result in the car being impounded, and there will be a heavy fine on the spot before you can retrieve your vehicle. This is no longer a warning or an appeal; it is a directive. Our expectation as members of the police force in this country is to be supported by everyone, especially members of the security fraternity. Often, we are the ones who abuse this particular matter,” he warned.

IGP Touray stressed that unregistered and unmarked vehicles pose a serious security risk, as they are frequently used in criminal activities, including armed robberies and hit-and-run incidents. He stated that law enforcement officers have been instructed to take immediate action against violators.

“You may have a number plate fixed in front of the car, but at the rear, you deliberately remove it with the simple pretext of saying it is damaged or broken. This will no longer be accepted, and clear instructions have been given to officers of the mobile traffic unit to ensure these directives from the Inspector General of Police are implemented to the letter,” he stressed.

This move comes amid rising concerns over criminal activities involving unregistered vehicles, with the police determined to tighten control over road safety and security.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Seedy Muktar Touray, in today’s press conference addressing recent security concerns, including the alleged robberies at Access Bank and ElHella shop in Banjul, emphasized the GPF’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the country’s security.

In his statement, he said: “The Gambia Police Force has been maligned, ridiculed, and sent to tatters. Many things have been said about us. We accept this in good faith, and we’re not apportioning blame to anyone, because that’s what we signed up for. If we are unable to protect the lives and property of this nation, let me be on record – I, Seedy Muktar Touray, will be the first to tender my resignation to the executive, saying I have failed in my duties and am relieving myself of my responsibilities.

The management of the Medical Research Council Unit Gambia (MRCG) has issued a response following the beginning of a sit-down strike by its staff members.

The strike, which began this week, was initiated by employees demanding better working conditions, improved salaries, and enhanced job security.

In an official statement, the MRC management acknowledged the concerns raised by the staff and expressed their commitment to addressing these issues through constructive dialogue.

In response to the situation, the management requested that employees sign log sheets and document their work activities to facilitate the implementation of policies for days worked.

The MRC leadership expressed their gratitude to the staff members who continued to report to work during the strike, recognizing their dedication and commitment to the organization’s mission.

The sit-down strike has drawn attention to the underlying challenges within the organization, and the MRC leadership said it is hopeful that open communication and mutual understanding will lead to a swift resolution.