Petroleum company Jah Oil has charged being targeted by PURA after the public utilities regulatory authority fined the company over a million dalasis.

PURA last week fined Jah Oil after concluding the company built petrol stations without a permit from the authority. The authority also ordered the company to halt the construction of at least two petrol stations, on Kairaba Avenue and in Wellingara.

The company reacted to the development with its manager Momodou Hydara telling QTV his company is being targeted.

“We’ve wrote a protest letter to PURA, protesting their enforcement and at the same time we’ve also wrote a letter to the ministry of petroleum to inquire into this matter. Because the way we see it is we are a victim of… A company that’s just targeted,” Hydara told QTV.

He also said: “When you look around as journalists, go and do your findings, you will see that all the petrol stations are operating and they’re not in compliance with that 50 meters rule they’re hitting us with. And then the question we’re asking them is that let them give us a fair answer. Why us and why us now.”

The group Concerned Gambians Against Deportation has called on the government to speak to citizens about the resumption of deporting of Gambians from Europe.

Germany recently sent back 20 Gambians, a move that caused consternation among Gambians both home and abroad. The government has been tight-lipped about the issue.

According to Concerned Gambians Against Deportation, it is expecting a reaction from the government.

“We the Concerned Gambians against Deportation, are aware of the resumption of the deportation of our Gambian brothers and sisters from Europe especially Germany after a moratorium on deportation was announced in 2019 by the Gambia government and Germany,” the group said in a statement signed by chairman Omar Saibo Camara.

The statement added: “The start of the new trend has raised alarm from and for both families, home and abroad, about the deportation of our citizens who struggled through the journey of turmoil to change their livelihoods and that of their families.

“Since the arrival of the first 20 deportees, we have been closely monitoring the situation and also keeping in touch with our brothers and sisters in Europe on the reasons for the resumption of the deportation. Also, we were expecting to see the reaction of our government and relevant stakeholders on the issue and what exactly they know about it.

“To our disappointment, the only step taken by the government was to go and pick these people from the airport and release them to go to their home. We expected the government to at least talk to us about the issues surrounding the deportation, their involvement and stands on the issues. We understand that deportation involves diplomatic talks and it must involve governments and their authorities. Therefore, we want the government to tell us the reasons and justifications of the deportation and the role they are playing on the whole issue.”

GMC leader Mai Fatty has burrowed deep into events that unfolded in Dakar, Senegal four years ago amid a bitter political impasse that gripped the nation.

Then president-elect Adama Barrow briefly stayed in Senegal after flying out to Mali as then-President Yahya Jammeh refused to cede power following the December 1, 2016 presidential election which he lost. President Barrow was then four years ago today sworn into office at the Gambian embassy in Dakar.

Mai Fatty today took a trip back to the events that happened in Dakar baring how he invited top lawyer Sheriff Tambadou to swear in President Barrow.

He said: “After leading series of successful Regional diplomacy, in coordination with ECOWAS, the AU & UNOWAS, here is the culmination. Four years ago, having convinced both the Senegalese and the international community to conduct the Swearing-in-ceremony on Gambian soil in the Republic of Senegal, the will of sovereign voters was ultimately enforced. Having thoroughly researched the law, and did additional consultations, and advised President-elect Barrow on the legal implications,

“I contacted and invited Mr. Sheriff Tambadou, then President of the Bar Association, to administer the Oath at the ceremony in Dakar. Under the directives of the new President, I turned my attention to my first and most important official duty: the repatriation of almost fifty thousand temporary Gambian refugees in Senegal.

“I am proud to have officially successfully led the biggest repatriation of nationals in the history of The Gambia. While in Dakar, I directed former Ports MD Baboucarr Sanyang to conduct uninterrupted ferry service without fail to get nationals across the river bank. That directive was implemented, as I remained in close contact with Mr Sanyang to monitor implementation. From Dakar, I had also directed the then MD of GTSC Mr. Habib Drammeh to put into immediate operation all of the assets of the company towards the comprehensive repatriation of nationals from Senegal and internally displaced persons on both sides of the River Gambia. That was complied with, as I remained in close contact with Mr. Drammeh to monitor implementation. I directed the border authorities, Fire and Rescue Services to work with volunteers to ease passage for returnees. That was implemented as I required officials of Gambia High Commission in Senegal to assure smooth operations, with their counterparts at home.

“By this time, we did not obtain either the support or the active cooperation of The Gambia Police Force, NIA or The Gambia Armed Forces. Yet they would have been incapacitated from hindering the massive operation, with the imminence of the Nigerian Navy within launching distance from our shores and the rapid mobilization of ECOWAS ground forces from Senegal into The Gambia.

“I am grateful to Mr. Alassan Senghore of the International Red Cross who worked with me very closely in Dakar, to facilitate humanitarian intervention, Senegalese authorities and Gambian volunteers such as Killa Ace, Aji Daffeh, etc, who worked closely with me during this difficult and sensitive period. Thank you to all those who helped in any way possible.
While this was going on, simultaneously, I was coordinating with the international community on essential aspects of military intervention to forcibly remove Jammeh out from State House.

“Later, at an international press conference in Terrubi from Dakar, I warned Jammeh directly to immediately quit power or choose one of two options: capture and imprisonment or ultimate termination. He chose to flee out of the country that night to Equatorial Guinea in exile, where he still resides. It was the most sleepless and exhausting experience in my entire life. Am truly grateful to Adama Barrow for the trust and for this rare opportunity to serve my country at its hour of greatest vulnerability and existential threat. I kept President Barrow fully briefed of the entire situation, while he was busy receiving official delegations. The Gambia is worth it, and you Gambians deserved it.”

Twenty-three new cases of coronavirus have been discovery and one person has died of the virus, according to the ministry of health.

The ministry in its latest report covering 16 and 17 Jan said one new death has been registered bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded to 128.

The victim was a 68-year-old woman, who until her demise, was hospitalized at a COVID-19 Treatment Center since January 16. She however had multiple comorbid conditions, according to the health.

The ministry said 23 new cases have been registered bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to 3,933.

“The median age of the new cases (11 female and 12 male) is 38.5 (range: 13 to 70 years)

“Of these, while 4 sought to be tested by virtue of being sick with flu-like symptoms, the other 19 are intending travellers who needed COVID-19 test certificates,” the health ministry said.

Sidia Jatta said he told President Adama Barrow hungry people were following him and advised him to give position to those people.

“There were those who wanted minister positions fast, those are the hungry people. I told him to give it to those people. I told him for me I have means to cook my own food and eat,” the PDOIS leader told The Fatu Network in an exclusive interview.

President Barrow was in 2016 backed by leaders of the nation’s opposition which ensured his victory at the December 1, 2016 presidential election.

Shortly after his victory, the president appointed at least 11 people into his cabinet including political godfather Ousainou Darboe. The president also appointed the likes of Mai Fatty, OJ, Hamat Bah and Henry Gomez.

The only party who declined a position in the cabinet is PDOIS.

The president then started sacking them 10 months into his term beginning with GMC leader Mai Fatty.

Dr Mamadou Tangara, on Monday received the new European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Corrado Pampaloni who presented copies of his Letters of Credence to the foreign minister.

After warmly welcoming the new EU Ambassador, Foreign Minister Tangara conveyed best wishes of President Adama Barrow to the new ambassador and assured him of the full support of the Government of The Gambia during his tour of duty, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.

“My door and doors of all the Ministers are opened to you at any time to discuss any issues to facilitate your work, which is also ours,” Minister Tangara said according to the foreign ministry statement.

For his part, the new EU ambassador expressed delights to be at the Foreign Ministry and commended Minister Tangara for the warm reception accorded to him and the delegation. He assured that the EU would continue to closely work with The Gambia in strengthening bilateral and multilateral issues, the foreign ministry’s statement said.

Pampaloni is was EU’s deputy head of mission in the Pacific and he replaces Attila Lajos.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday it completed the first review of The Gambia’s economic performance under a program supported by a 39-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.

“The ECF, with a total access of SDR 35 million (about US$47.1 million at the time of approval, or 56.3 percent of quota), was approved by the IMF Executive Board on March 23, 2020 .

“Completion of the first review enables an immediate disbursement of SDR 20 million, about US$28.8 million, to help meet the country’s balance-of-payments and fiscal financing needs and support the post-pandemic recovery. This brings total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 25 million, about US$36 million,” IMF said in a press release.

According to the fund, the Executive Board in completing the review also approved an “augmentation of access under the ECF arrangement from SDR 35 million to SDR 55 million (or 88.4 percent of The Gambia’s quota in the Fund)”.

“The Board also completed a financing assurances review and granted a waiver of nonobservance of a continuous quantitative performance criterion relating to a zero ceiling on the accumulation of external payment arrears,” the fund said.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Gambia has also benefited from an IMF Rapid Credit Facility disbursement of SDR 15.55 million (US$ 21.3 million at the time of approval) and is receiving debt service relief from the IMF under the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust, expected to total SDR 7.9 million, of which SDR 4.2 million (about US$5.83 million) has already been approved, according to the fund.

UDP surrogate Ebrima Dibba has launched a staunch defence of Ousainou Darboe after Sidia Jatta charged that the UDP leader buried the coalition ‘when he came’.

PDOIS top-shot Jatta in a tell-all with The Fatu Network on Sunday said President Barrow caused the death of the coalition by appointing ministers his own way and then Darboe coming later to bury it. He also said President Barrow told him Darboe told him he must make him foreign minister ‘good or bad’.

UDP supporters have since on Sunday jumped to the defence of their leader with Ebrima Dibba among those leading the counter attack.

He said in an audio messaged shared with The Fatu Network: “Your heart is full of hatred for UDP but Gambians have woken up. This interview you did praising Halifa… He didn’t speak on one single good thing about Ousainou in the interview.

“He took all the credit and gave it to Halifa. Billahi, I know Ousainou is not greedy and I have not seen anyone in this country who loves this country more than Ousainou Darboe.”

Medical examinations have shown a 14-year-old girl Senegalese self-proclaimed prophet allegedly married lost her virginity.

Baba Malabe Mbacke Rouhou was last week arrested on child abuse and paedophilia allegations and detained by Senegalese gendarmerie in Kolda for allegedly marrying a minor.

According to Senego on Monday, the ‘prophet’ is now facing prosecution after medical examinations show the girl lost her virginity. He faces three charges of rape, child abuse and paedophilia.

The prophet who said his prophethood started since he was 12 years old denies sexual relations with the minor, according to Senego.

PDOIS top-shot Sidia Jatta has said President Adama Barrow caused the sudden death of the coalition and its burial administered by UDP leader Ousainou Darboe.

Jatta played a key role in cobbling the seven-party coalition in 2016 that handed former President Jammeh his waterloo after 22 years in power. The coalition however crumbled shortly after President Barrow ascended.

Sidia Jatta speaking on the issue for the first time said the coalition died the moment President Barrow strayed from how cabinet should be formed.

“When the government was chosen, the way he chose ministers the first time was where the coalition died. I have long been telling people there is no coalition. When Barrow won and the day he formed his cabinet was the day the coalition died. What killed it? Because the way the ministers should be selected were not selected that way. So the coalition died since 2017,” Jatta told The Fatu Network.

According to Jatta, UDP leader Ousainou Darboe then buried it when he said he would sue anyone who said President Barrow should step down after three years.

“When his elder [Darboe] came, he buried it. The day he (Darboe) said any mouth that says three years, we were sitting beside each other. That no mouth should say it, anyone who says it he will take you to court. I was sitting. I only laughed,” Jatta said.

Finance Minister Mambury Njie said ‘I’m innocent’ on Sunday as he reacted to the Janneh Commission’s recommendations against him.

A 2017 investigation into the financial dealings of former President Jammeh showed how the former president mismanaged or stole billion of dalasis in public funds. The investigation called out the likes of Njie for aiding the former leader and recommendation for him to be reprimanded.

Njie then suffered huge public loathing and his rehiring by President Barrow has been condemned in some quarters.

But speaking on For The People By The People Show on Sunday, the veteran public servant said: “I think as far as I’m concerned, those recommendations I’m not aware of the fact that it was as dirty as it was put. I went to the commission and I defended my position and I explained. One thing that the commission did not also reveal is that the information that they have in how we were doing our job.

“For example, the investigation showed a letter to me where I have written to the government of the Gambia in 1997 calling the attention of the government on the way we manage out grants and our loans saying and it’s on record 1997. And they were asking me how come at that critical, very dangerous moment you’re able to highlight these issues. This is why I’m saying everything was not out there for the public.

“Yes, perceptions are there but I think even former vice president Darboe did ask people what has he done , you do have any evidence to show that… There report is a report but if it is justified and confirmed that this is somebody who is conspiring with Jammeh, I think over and over it’s been revealed that I have said to Jammeh ‘no’ on many times.

“If everything was revealed out there, the balanced reporting that would have helped for people know exactly how committed we are. Enabler? Fine. But I’m telling you that up to this moment, go back and see my record… The facts are there, the data is there. Whatever was done by the commission [is] fine. But all I’m saying is I’m innonent.”

Veteran politician Sidia Jatta has told The Fatu Network President Adama Barrow told him UDP leader Ousainou Darboe told him (President Barrow) he must appoint him foreign minister.

Jatta played a key role in Coalition 2016 but declined to take a cabinet role when President Barrow ascended.

On circumstances around UDP leader Darboe’s appointment, Jatta said: “One day he (President Barrow) told me he wanted to make Ousainou Vice President. I didn’t say anything but I knew it would not happen because of his age. He called me the next day and told me he (Darboe) said he cannot be vice president but he said ‘good or bad I must make him foreign minister’.”

According to Jatta in the tell-all, hungry men pounced when positions were being handed out by the president.

More follows on Sidia Jatta’s tell-all with The Fatu Network.

The Inspector General’s Office said Sunday testing of vehicles and drivers for renewal of license will commence on Tuesday 19 January 2021.

A statement by the IGP’s office said: “Vehicle owners and drivers can visit the following centers where testing will be conducted across the country; the Independence Stadium Bakau, Kanifing Police Garage, Brusubi Police Station, Brikama Police Station, Barra Police Station, Farafenni Police Station, Mansakonko Police Station and Basse Police Station respectively.

“Vehicle owners and drivers are reminded that diligent screening will be conducted on vehicles and drivers’ skills will be examined. In addition, vehicle owners should ensure their vehicles are fitted with a pair of triangular reflectors as well as the gross and net weight inscribed on the vehicle as in the case of commercial vehicles.

“Furthermore, Testing Officers will determine the number of passengers to be carried by vehicles before insurance is paid. This will minimise the severity of accidents as it has been discovered that some vehicles are carrying passengers beyond capacity.

“The IGP’s office further notifies the public that, the usual fee of D100 will be paid for testing. The earlier notice indicating a fee of D1200 cannot hold due to arrangements with the company MOT are still in progress.

“The public is equally reminded that, new applicants for driver’s license must submit a provisional license for a period of three months, a medical certificate, and certificate of competency to acquire license.

“Similarly, Owners and riders of Tricycle Motorbikes within the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region are advised to bring their Tricycle Motorbikes for assessment, determination of capacity, documentation, as well as roadworthiness examination. These measures came in the wake of ongoing reviews to minimize accidents on our roads.

“The cooperation and compliance of the public particularly vehicle owners, drivers, and riders of Tricycle Motorbikes, is highly solicited. Together we can minimise Road Traffic Accidents, the life you save maybe your own.”

Nyang Njie said ‘congratulations in advance Mr President’ as he reacted to claims by the president’s supporters of him already securing the December election.

Gambians will vote in a presidential election in December this year, the first presidential election of the post-Jammeh dictatorship. Supporters of President Barrow who will seek re-election say he will win the election.

“Well, that’s good for him and congratulations in advance Mr President,” commentator Nyang Njie reacting to the claims told The Fatu Network.

The commentator however insisted the president’s ambition when he came to power should have been to unite the country.

He said: “But Mr President, remember from whence you came and what the people of this have done for you. If you do so, you will make sure you find us a bridge for us to cross. President Barrow must have been the one who united the country.

“Why? If you look at the total votes that Kandeh and Jammeh got, this country is highly polarised and highly divided. So his ambition should have been to bring our diverse peoples together. But Gambia more divided today than ever before and I cry in my heart because we suffered so much to get to where we are today.”

Former TRRC deputy executive secretary Musu Bakoto Sawo has emerged winner of the 2020 Daily Trust African of the Year award.

The leading Nigerian daily described Mrs Sawo a Gambian changemaker and tireless women rights advocate who was announced winner on Jan 4, 2020 by a seven-member award selection committee led by the former President of Botswana, His Excellency, Dr. Festus Mogae. It came after rigorous virtual selection meetings which commenced on December 10, 2020.

According to a statement, the 30-year-old lawyer won the 2020 award for “her continuous commitment to ending violence against girls and women including child marriage and female genital mutilation”.

“Married at the age of 14 and widowed at 21 with no inheritance, Musu, who had also gone through female genital mutilation as a child, still strove to earn quality education that has catapulted her to her current position as a university lecturer, who is also striving to address the injustices that women face daily across Africa,” a statement signed by Daily Trust acting CEO Nura Daura said.

The statement added: “She uses her experience in capacity building, research, networking, programme development to engage with human rights mechanisms and grassroots, national, regional and international organisations and platforms. “I say to the girls: come out and be the change that you can be because your children may be victims,” says Musu while explaining her motivation.

“Musu started advocating for girls’ rights at age 9, including against child marriage, which she fell hostage to 5 years later. She lectures at the Faculty of Law, University of The Gambia (in international human rights law).

“National Coordinator for Think Young Women, she is a recipient of the 2017 Vera Chirwa Award (from the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. South Africa; recognized as one of the 100 most influential young persons in West Africa by the Confederation of West African Youths in 2018; and a recipient of ‘Inspiring Gambian Award 2018’ by the People’s Choice Award for Excellence in The Gambia.

“A key consideration for Musu Bakoto Sawo’s selection was that in this period of COVID-19, women have been particularly impacted negatively, especially during the lockdown when a lot of husbands lost their jobs, resulting in, among other tendencies, domestic violence in the homes. So, with Musu championing the rights of women in any part of Africa, which is largely a traditional society, she is deemed to be promoting a great cause, and therefore found worthy of selection for the award.

“Chairman of the selection committee, His Excellency Mogae said ‘Musu Bakoto deserves the award for her continuous work to end violence against girls and women, including child marriage and female genital mutilation’. He congratulated her for emerging the winner of the prestigious Daily Trust African of the Year Award for 2020. The award comes with a cash prize of $10,000. The presentation of the award will be done sometime in March, this year, in Banjul, The Gambia.”

The Prime Minister of India will today launch what’s dubbed the world’s largest Covid 19 vaccination drive, based on the principles of priority groups to be vaccinated. Health Care workers, both in government and private sectors including ICDS workers, will receive the vaccine during this phase. Below is a Press Release from the Office of The Prime Minister;
…………………………………………

– PM to launch Pan India Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccination drive on 16 January –

– Over 3000 sites across all States and UTs to be virtually connected during the launch –

– Around 100 beneficiaries to be vaccinated at each site on the inaugural day –

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch the pan India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive on 16th January, 2021 at 10:30 AM via video conferencing. This will be the world’s largest vaccination program covering the entire length and breadth of the country. A total of 3006 session sites across all States and UTs will be virtually connected during the launch. Around 100 beneficiaries will be vaccinated at each session site on the inaugural day.

This vaccination programme is based on the principles of priority groups to be vaccinated and Health Care workers, both in government and private sectors including ICDS workers, will receive the vaccine during this phase.

The vaccination programme will use Co-WIN, an online digital platform developed by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which will facilitate real time information of vaccine stocks, storage temperature and individualized tracking of beneficiaries for COVID-19 vaccine. This digital platform will assist programme managers across all levels while conducting vaccination sessions.

A dedicated 24×7 call centre – 1075 – has also been established for addressing the queries related to COVID_19 pandemic, vaccine rollout and the Co-Win software.
Adequate doses of both COVISHIELD and COVAXIN have already been delivered across the country to all States/UTs with the active support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. These have been further delivered by the State/UT governments to the districts. All preparations are in place to initiate the programme on the principles of Jan Bhagidari.

Ends