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Barrow says 2021 will be a wrestling contest but insists his party will demolish rivals and capture State House

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow said Sunday his party, the National People’s Party, will floor its rivals at next year’s presidential elections, calling it a wrestling contest.

“We are certain that when 2021 comes it would be a wrestling contest but NPP will knock everyone down,” President Barrow said in Baniko Kekoro in URR where his party, the National People’s Party, held a rally for the first time since it was registered at the start of 2020.

The rally comes four days after the president arrived in the Upper River Region for the unveiling of a number of infrastructural projects.

On Saturday, President Barrow inaugurated the Laminkoto-Passamas road which he hailed as “a clear signpost of the implementation of the National Development Plan.”

“We will continue to maintain and expand the urban, secondary and feeder road networks in order to improve accessibility and induce acceptable travel time between destinations for all travellers,” the president had said Passamas where the event was held.

President Barrow warns talkers will continue to talk

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow warned on Saturday talkers will continue to talk as he inaugurated in URR the Laminkoto-Passamas road.

“Gambia is ready to work now. Talkers will continue to talk but we will continue to work. We will continue work on roads, we’ll work on bridges in this country, we’ll work on electricity in this country,” President Barrow said during the inauguration of a road whose length stands at 120kilometres.

Mr Barrow is currently on a 10-day trip to URR for the unveiling of various infrastructural projects.

And earlier reading from a prepared speech during the inauguration of the Laminkoto-Passamas road held in Passamas on Saturday, Mr Barrow said the successful completion of “this project is a clear signpost of the implementation of the National Development Plan.”

“We will continue to maintain and expand the urban, secondary and feeder road networks in order to improve accessibility and induce acceptable travel time between destinations for all travellers,” the president said.

‘This information is not true’: Health ministry dismisses reports of Coronavirus in Gambia

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By Adama Makasuba

The health ministry has dismissed reports Coronavirus has entered the country after a man travelled from Italy.

On Saturday, reports did the rounds on social media claiming a suspected case of COVID-19 was detected at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.

But in a statement the ministry, said: “We hereby inform the public that this information is not true and that the said patient has no signs/symptoms related to COVID-19.”

“We assure the public that there has been no case of COVID-19 in Gambia and the Ministry and its partners are doing all it can to maintain Gambia free from COVID-19,” the statement added.

15 Guineans including two females who attacked consulate have their fate hang on investigation

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By Adama Makasuba

Police have arrested 15 Guinean nationals over an attack on their consulate that resulted in the destruction of multiple of properties of the consulate and injuring the consul.

On Friday, an angry Guinean mob staged an attack on their consulate in a reported anti-President Alpha Conde protest. The mob allegedly attacked the building and set it on fire. They include 13 males and 2 females.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network: “Currently, investigation is opened and depending on the outcome of the investigation, charges will be levelled against individuals precisely depending on their participation and responsibility..

The attack came after two of the arrested attackers who are both women pretended to be requesting a clarification on their documentation in the country.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie described the attack as ‘coordinated’ as he warned non-Gambians in The Gambia especially Guineans to desist from such activity.

“We want to assure the diplomatic corps that their security is paramount and we will ensure that we maintain security at all embassies, 24 hours as it has been,” ASP Njie assured.

KARPOWERSHIP CONTINUES TO SUPPLY LOW COST ELECTRICITY TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE GAMBIA

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Banjul, The Gambia – Karpowership has been connected to The Gambia’s national grid since May 2018 and been providing reliable and affordable electricity since the first day of operation. Karadeniz Powership Koray Bey, with its 36 MW has helped to significantly reduce the electricity supply gap in the country.

Recently, Karadeniz Powership Koray Bey had to implement a technical maintenance process due to the need to renew equipment. As a floating power plant with the ability to provide continuous operation without the need for stopping service, above market standards, the Powership needed replacement of equipment for more efficient and affordable power generation. During this period, the Powership continued to generate electricity at a lower rate, and after replacement of the equipment, the Powership is back to operating at agreed contract capacity, as of February 27th, 2020 at 11:30 AMand will continue to serve the good people of The Gambia.

As a key strategic partner, Karpowership is committed to The Gambia’s development and will continue to provide all Gambians with sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity. 

About Karpowership

Karpowership is the owner, operator and builder of the only Powership™ (floating power plant) fleet in the world and plays an active role in medium to long-term investments; providing access to fast-track, affordable and reliable electricity. Powerships have a range of 30 MW to 470 MW and are delivered ready to operate in less than 60 days. Currently, Karpowership owns and operates 25 Powerships with an installed capacity exceeding 4,100 MW and another 4,400 MW are under construction or in the pipeline. In addition to a Powership fleet, Karpowership owns and operates its own LNG fleet.  With expertise and experience in the field, Karpowership serves as a one-stop-shop for LNG to Power solutions, as a single provider delivering all parts of the value chain; including but not limited to LNG sourcing, transport, delivery, regasification, and electricity production; with the mission of powering life wherever needed. With more than 2,600 employees globally; Karpowership is operational in Indonesia, Lebanon, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and the Caribbean. For more information on how Karpowership powers life, please visit: www.karpowership.com

For More Information

Fatu Camara

Marketing Partner

[email protected]

 

Foreign Minister Tangara receives UK’s Envoy to the Commonwealth

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The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Friday 28th February 2020 received the United Kingdom Envoy to the Commonwealth, Mr. Philip Parham CMG, at his office in Banjul.

Mr. Parham was accompanied to the Foreign Ministry by the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to The Gambia, Her Excellency Sharon Wardle. The Foreign Affairs Minister welcomed the Commonwealth Envoy and thanked Mr. Parham for the diplomatic engagement. Minister Tangara highlighted that the Commonwealth is not an organisation that imposes values on member states. However, the Minister suggested the need to reorganise and close ranks within Commonwealth. Minister Tangara further emphasised the need for increased presence of Commonwealth activities in The Gambia so that ordinary Gambian can feel the benefit of the organisation’s presence.

Dr. Tangara highlighted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry will use the forthcoming Commonwealth meeting in Kigali to strengthen cooperation with Rwanda with a view to learn from the success story of Rwanda. He indicated that Rwanda represents hope in terms of their experience and where the country is today.

For his part, Mr. Parham used the opportunity to remind the Honourable Minister of commitments made by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April 2018. He hailed The Gambia as a great partner delivering on sustainability while calling for strong solidarity among Commonwealth member states.

It may be recalled that the former President Yahya Jammeh unilaterally withdrew The Gambia from the Commonwealth on 3rd October 2013.However, following change of Government in January 2017, the new democratic dispensation of President Adama Barrow facilitated the re-entry of The Gambia to the Commonwealth on 8th February 2018. Since then, The Gambia has been partaking in all major events and activities of the organisation.

Issued by the Communication Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad

Barrow comes out on top as Gambian leader gives two million dalasis to reeling Basse fire victims

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By Adama Makasuba

President Adama Barrow on Thursday visited Basse market, the epicentre of a devastating fire.

A huge fire engulfed Basse market on Monday destroying the entire market, and Mr Barrow’s visit comes as he arrived in the Upper River Region on Wednesday ahead of his much-touted infrastructural projects launch.

President Barrow did not go to the doomed market empty-handed as it has emerged he has donated two million dalasis to the fire victims.

It also comes after UDP and GDC led by their party leaders gave D400,000 and D200,000 to the victims.

Basse market fire: Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at issue statement saying instructions have been given for prayers to be offered to the victims

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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at on Thursday issued a statement saying they have learnt with ‘great sense of sadness’ the fire incident that took place in Basse on Monday.

The busy Basse market was brought to its knees late Monday after a huge fire broke out there. Everything got destroyed by the fire.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at said in a statement signed by Amir Baba F Trawally: “It is with a great sense of sadness and grief that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at learnt of the fire incident that took place in Basse on Monday 24th February 2020 consuming the market in that community. Reports have it that millions of dalasis worth of goods and properties were destroyed completely.

“This is not a misfortune only of Basse and the Upper River Region; rather, it is a great loss to the entire nation. The whole country is grieved due to this mishap.

“According to the Holy Qur’an these types of incidents happen from time to time as a trial for the people from Allah, the Sublime. As it is said: And We will surely try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the steadfast (2.156).

“Surely, the fire incident in Basse is one such trial for the people not only of Basse and the Upper River Region but for the whole Gambia as a nation.

“However, as the verse continues, give glad tidings to the steadfast. This means that if we are steadfast and work hard and put our trust in Allah Almighty, He will substitute it for us with something better.

“We join the people of Basse and the Upper River Region, and indeed the whole Gambia to mourn this colossal loss and pray that Allah Almighty, may replace all the loss for the people who have lost their properties.

“Through the Office of the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the Gambia, instructions are issued in all our mosques throughout the country to pray fervently for the people who have been affected and their families by this unfortunate incident.

“May Allah Almighty out of His Grace and Mercy, grant the people who have lost their properties the ability to be steadfast as Allah Almighty has promised great reward for those who are steadfast. May Allah Almighty, the Sublime, bless the Gambia with peace and stability and may He uplift the condition of the people of the land. May He be our helper, guide, provider and protector. Ameen.”

Barrow says his journey to Mankamang Kunda lasted nearly 7 hours but some are blasting the president over his comments

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow on Thursday got blasted by some Gambians after he claimed his journey to Mankamang Kunda, his home village lasted nearly seven hours ‘because people came out in numbers despite the hot sun’.

“We spent almost seven hours to get to my home village, not because the road was bad but because people came out in numbers despite the hot sun, to welcome me along the way and to wish me a safe journey,” President Barrow said on his official Barrow PORG Facebook page.

Some Gambians were left unimpressed as they slammed the president over his comments.

Jai Sajar Camara said on the president’s wall: “Your insensitivity towards your people’s plight cant seized to amazed me.

“You went to URR to visit the victims of the inferno who lost their entire life savings and source of livelihood you are busy entertaining yourself?? Wow.”

Lamin Cham commented: “If you like spend million years on the way who cares please do not come back to banjul please stay there.”

US-based Pata PJ said: “This is childish and unbelievable. Crazy stuff.”

Others are however praising the president as he arrives in Mankamang ahead of a 10-trip to URR.

Alieu Bah said: “It’s the tip of the iceberg. Development oriented Gambians adores you. Happy visit Your Excellency Sir.”

Musa Cham commented: “You are the president of the country and you are down to earth we proud of you congrats.”

Home sweet home: Barrow arrives in Mankamang Kunda but Basse market is now item No 1 on Gambian leader’s to-do list

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By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has arrived in Mankamang Kunda, his hometown ahead of a 10-day visit of far-flung Gambia.

President Barrow is billed to launch the Laminkoto-Pasamas road as well as Gambia College’s Basse ‘annex’. He would also be engaged in the handing over of the hydrology headquarters in Bansang.

GRTS reported on Wednesday the president has arrived in Mankamang Kunda, his hometown. He would visit the doomed Basse market Thursday morning following a fire outbreak that brought the market to its knees.

TFN Heroes Awards: All 43 candidates accept their nomination and voting is now set to start

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All 43 candidates in The Fatu Network’s Heroes Awards 2019 have accepted their nomination, the awards committee has said.

The awards committee of the awards last week shortlisted 43 candidates of individuals and organisations for the 2019 edition out of 1527 entries.

Voting was supposed to begin on Monday 24 February but got delayed due to the incompletion of approval from all the shortlisted candidates. All 43 candidates have now approved their nomination and voting will commence soon ahead of the awards night on 14 March – and eleven categories are up for grabs.

The TFN Heroes Awards is established by The Fatu Network, the leading online news provider in The Gambia. The Awards recognize and celebrate Gambians who have offered invaluable service to the country and to their communities.

UDP gives D400, 000 to reeling Basse market fire victims

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United Democratic Party Wednesday gave D400,000 to victims of a fire disaster at Basse market Monday.

The people of Basse were late Monday thrown into poverty after a fire whose cause is still shrouded in mystery ravaged the town’s only market. Properties worth millions of dalasis were consumed by the fire.

On Wednesday, UDP officials led by party leader Ousainou Darboe travelled to Basse to commiserate with the fire victims. The party gave D400,000 to the victims, the single biggest gesture from a political party so far.

Gambia Democratic Party had on Tuesday donated D200,000 to the victims.

Foreign ministry promises to act as scores of Gambian migrants who stare at deportation are arrested and detained

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By Adama Makasuba

The ministry of foreign affairs has promised to use diplomatic channel for solution to mass deportation facing Gambian migrants living in Italy.

On Saturday, The Fatu Network received a number of calls from Gambian migrants in Italy, who have complained of facing mass deportation as they have been held in police custody in one of Italy’s ‘notorious’ camps for almost two months.

Speaking to The Fatu Network in a telephone interview from CPR Gradisca.ca31 via Udine Camp in Italy, Ousman Touray, 28, said: “We are arrested because of documents issues and we face deportation.

“We are detained in gradisca.31. via Udine deportation camp in a deep forest where Italian used to detain their notorious criminals and even if one escapes here, it will take you five days before you would reach a village. It’s possible that you might even die before seing a village for sanctuary.”

He said the Italian government has revoked a six-month permit which allowed migrants to stay in the country without facing documentation issue. He also said the detained Gambians migrants are being kept in separate deportation camps across Italy.

The spokesperson of ministry of foreign affairs Saikou Ceesay told The Fatu Network on Wednesday: “We are not aware of arrest of any Gambian. But we will use our diplomatic channel to see what to do and what is really happening in Italy as far as Gambians situations are concerned. We will use diplomatic channel to find out what really is happening to our citizens there [Italy].”

However, Barrow-led government has been accused of making a deal with European Union to deport Gambians. But the government however denied the allegations as false, claiming to be in negotiations with EU to safeguard and protect the interest of Gambians living in Europe.

‘Don’t come crying when you all start dying’: European married to Gambian fumes that Gambia is not doing enough to ensure Chinese don’t bring Coronavirus to Gambia

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By Lamin Njie

A European married to a Gambian for 10 years has expressed anger over The Gambia’s lacklustre approach to the deadly Coronavirus.

Coronavirus which causes pneumonia first emerged in China’s Wuhan city in December last year and has killed thousands of people. The virus has now spread to almost every continent across the globe, as scientists continue their search for a cure.

A European married to a Gambian for 10 years has now expressed frustration over the way The Gambia is dealing with the issue.

“The world is in uproar about Coronavirus yet you have Chinese freight ships coming in and out, not being checked,” he told The Fatu Network.

He added: “Countries are stopping Chinese ships entering their port. I will tell you this now, don’t come crying when you all start dying.”

Wuhan, the epicentre of the killer virus is home to 20 Gambians most of them students, and the Gambia government earlier this month gave the stricken citizens over D500,000.

‘My wife has since left’: Lamin Jobe testifies Jammeh’s army of NIA helpers placed live wire on his private parts leaving him permanently impotent

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By Lamin Njie

Lamin Jobe has told the TRRC operatives of the National Intelligence Agency now State Intelligence Service placed live wire on his private parts leaving him impotent.

Lamin Jobe testified at the TRRC on Monday as part of a broad investigation into the human rights violations and abuses that took place during former president Yahya Jammeh’s rule. He was among scores of Gambians who were arrested, detained and tortured by agents of then-National Intelligence Agency.

Mr Jobe told the TRRC, of his detention and subsequent torture: “They placed electricity on my private part and electrocuted me. And that was what Foday (of the agents who tortured him) meant by saying I would be useless to my wife.

“My wife had since left. Counsel, I will not be able to tell you. I am finish[ed]. Because that’s still with me and if we enter a bathroon I can show it to you, the scars.”

A Look At Activism

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There is a type of irreducible rascality that every society need. This cathartic ‘virtue’ can help shake off the lethargies of the ruling class and bring sanity to the complacent masses. This is the essence of activism!

It is a quest, that can build or destroy society, and hence must be undertaken with great prudence. Should be embarked on with knowledge and principle, never on expediency or out of envy.

To paraphrase the wisdom of Confucius;
Before taking on the affairs of the state, one must put his household in proper order; before putting your household in order, first put yourself in order; to put yourself in order, perfect your moral compass; to perfect your moral compass, purify the heart (motives and intentions); to purity the heart, practice self-discipline; to discipline yourself, one must be aware of own ignorance/limitations; to know your ignorance, you must seek knowledge and contemplate much.

Acquisition of knowledge should be the first step in activism. And in practice, to never let conceit creep in – for it will fast corrupt original motives. This base impulse can misled the activist into feeling like he’s on some great heroic quest to save mankind. An individual can be a catalyst, but transformation is always a cumulative effort of many.

It is easier to be moved into action by hate than by love. To be peevish and resentful towards those we disagree with points to an own mind needing better cultivation. This need to be remedied, for one should not be driven to activism solely by the hatred of the ‘other’.

It is part of prudence for an activist to regularly reflect to the ideas he promulgates, his own conducts, and their consequences. He should be sure he’s not just the object of other men’s ideas, which he never understood, much less synthesize. Not to join silly adventures – simply to ‘belong’, to be seen or to make money.

It is noble to join efforts greater than ourselves; life is too great to be consumed by the needs of our one lonely soul. We simply are, because of the people.

Cunning men will cheer on the disgruntled to be vindictive, and the unripe minds to do their bidding. People acting only on selfish and mean motives love to co-opt the unsuspecting activist. They’ll prod people to join foolish ‘exploits’ to divide and sow confusion.

Politicians are quick to use activists as pawns by presenting their political opinions as positions of moral superiority. Beware, for there is a very thin line between activism and politics fanaticism.

Devotion to a ‘higher’ idea is always noble. A stand on principle against evil is a worthy sacrifice. To assume a public or conspicuous position on these based on principle, is true activism.

Be mindful of those that try to cajole you into joining their trifles. Be cautious when empathy is the primary reason offered to join a movement.
Empathy is a fine quality but it is no moral virtue. It’s a physiological reaction to an event or condition. It is not enough reason to start throwing flames, if the underlining reason is not logical or lack real substance.

It is too easy to turn an activist into a mob. To become a ‘joiner’, a herd member and start screaming meaningless slogans. Scream we can, but if it has no root in us, the next wind will blow it away!

We can make the world better not only by preaching or railing against evil, but also by constraining our own malevolence. That alone will solve half of the world’s problems.

We must seek out logical conclusions to the actions we undertake. Mere frenzies of rage, convulsions and letting off dynamites are not enough to change society. Fierce ferocity and superficial arguments are only fleeting, they can’t transform the world.

Our actions gather their own weight when carried on with knowledge and sound principle. The sentiment from which the activism originate, will set its gravity and determine the dignity with which it is received. Action on principle last forever.

Learn and reflect. Be an individual, first. Then an activist, last!

Website: jamaldrammeh.net
Facebook: jamal.drammeh
Twitter: @jamaldrammeh

‘He got excited because a woman sat in front of him’: Bakawsu responds to Imam Fatty after ‘fight’ threat

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By Lamin Njie

Bakawsu Fofana has vowed he would stay true to type if Imam Abdoulie Fatty continued to wrong him.

Bakawsu and Imam Fatty are two imams who hold each other in great contempt, with Imam Fatty over the weekend threatening to fight Bakawsu wherever they met.

“He’s a kid. I am older than him. He can go ahead and tell people he’s a great marabout, not me.

“He’s a coward. Wherever I meet him, if he says these things, I will beat him. Even in future, I can beat him and I can tie him. Billahi Wallahi. Kawsu doesn’t know me, I will not take nonsense,” Imam Fatty told Kerr Fatou’s Fatou Touray.

Bakawsu in an audio message responded saying the top imam lost control of himself after a woman sat in front of him.

He said: “Your imam got excited [after] a female journalist sat in front of him. [But] if you know you’re not strong, women should not make you do certain things. A female journalist sat in front of him, asking him about Bakawsu and he was having a go at Bakawsu to the point of beating his chest and saying if ‘I meet with him, I will tie him up’.”

Bakawsu then addressed Imam Fatty directly: “It’s the same Bakawsu. The Bakawsu that you cried over his the same Bakaswu. If you do not trust in yourself, don’t go ahead to fight. You and I began [fighting] since 2008 to this year 2020 [that’s] 12 years.

“You cried last Monday saying Bakawsu destroyed your life, destroyed your power, destroyed your influence. [That] he made people withdraw their respect for you and ridicule you. It’s that same Bakawsu.”

Bakawsu then added: “When that happened [TRRC incident], I then said I would leave him alone. Because I am one person who doesn’t wrong people. It’s only when you wrong me that’s when I respond. Abdoulie Fatty has started and now I would wait for you to do it a second time. You would see what would do to you.”

Man dies after his car crashes into power pole – but investigation sees police recover cannabis from doomed car

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By Lamin Njie

A man has died after his car slammed into an ‘electric’ pole as he drove on the busy Kairaba Avenue. The incident happened early Tuesday.

Police said in a statement: “On Tuesday 25th February 2020 at 0600hrs, a Mercedes Benz C Class Motor vehicle with registration number Bjl 1141 Q, driven by Pa Modou Njie of Latrikunda Germany, crashed into an electric pole while speeding along the Kairaba Avenue Road. Pa Modou lost control of the vehicle when he tried to turn at the Junction opposite LG Samsung.

“A 40 year old female pedestrian was hit and sustained a broken leg injury. She has been admitted and currently receiving treatment at the Serrekunda General Hospital.
The driver Pa Modou Njie was equally taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

“Preliminary investigations into the accident has led to the recovery of 5 bags of suspected cannabis from the vehicle. This exhibit has been handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigations.

“Meanwhile, Police accident investigations continue into the matter.”

The Meaning of the Illegal Closure and Opening of the Radio Stations

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The only reason the Gambia Government decided to withdraw from its violation of the law by allowing the re-opening of Home Digital and King FM radio stations is because they have no case and indeed the Gambia Press Union and citizens stood their ground that the radio stations must be opened. This is what we must recognize as the only truth. The action of the Gambia Government is a clear violation of the rule of law and freedom of the media which did not happen by mistake in anyway. It was a deliberately calculated attempt to close down these radio stations with a view to suppress freedom of expression hence limit the ability of citizens to hold the State accountable.

 

A Government is not an association of children. Rather the Government is occupied by well educated and well experienced adult men and women who have all the requisite capacity and resources to make the right decisions at the right time. Hence the idea that the Government could make a mistake especially in closing down a radio station is a farce! It is clear that if GPU and citizens did not stand their ground this Government will not open these radio stations at all.

 

Therefore, let us not be so naïve to buy false narratives that seek to celebrate the Government for fixing the law and rights that they deliberately broke when they are not supposed to do so in the first place. The Government has all the means to respond to any media reportage they do not agree with yet this Government refused to do that but instead decided to use power illegally to clampdown on these radio stations.

 

Even when the Minister of Information Ebrima Sillah said the police were investigating it is now 30 days and there is no report yet about that investigation.  What is clear is that there has been no investigation at all. The fact is the Government was just buying time to see if GPU and Gambians will just forget about this issue so that the radio stations shall remain closed forever! Let us learn from our lessons with Yaya Jammeh!

 

At this stage the Gambia Press Union must be commended for standing their ground and pushing the Government back to the rule of law. As indicated by its President Sheriff Bojang Jnr there must be accountability for this blatant abuse of power. Citizens must continue to demand to know who ordered this illegal act and there must be adequate compensation for the damage caused to the radio stations and their journalists.

 

In this regard I completely disagree with the Minister of Justice Abubacarr Tambadou, in seeking to legitimize this illegal act on the basis that there is no perfect democracy or perfect government. What does the Minister mean by that? Who is asking for ‘perfect; democracy? We are a democratic republic that is governed by laws which are to be enforced by the State. Therefore, what we need is for that State to act according to the law so that democracy can flourish. Thus the issue of ‘perfect democracy’ is meaningless.

 

Secondly his claim that there have been shortcomings on the part of both the Government and the media and therefore lessons are learnt is equally a farce. What is the shortcoming the media committed in this situation? Clearly if Home Digital and King FM radio stations violated the law they must be held to account without compromise. But what law did they violate in their reporting?

 

Therefore, if there is any shortcoming and lesson to learn it is the Gambia Government that committed those shortcomings from which it must learn to respect the law and protect fundamental freedoms. This is what the Minster should have said than to seek to disparage the media with the false narrative that some journalists are not well educated or lack capacity. That is not the issue here in anyway.

 

What happened is caused by the Gambia Government and they must own their own violations. It is disingenuous for the Minster to seek to share that misconduct with the media or anyone else. Since inception GPU has been working to build the capacity of is members which shall continue. However, the illegal closure of these media houses has nothing to do with media capacity.

 

Thirdly we cannot continue to hide behind the 22-year dictatorship yet we continue to deliberately violate rights. If we are going to make progress, we should continue on that path only. But we cannot be claiming that progress only to perpetuate, rationalize and defend abuse.

 

Therefore, I wish to call on citizens to refuse to be naïve, misguided and misinformed by these high sounding self-righteous statements by Government officials. This country is governed by laws and the State is mandated to enforce that law without fear or favour. Therefore, we must not accept the abuse of that law only for Government to put up a drama as if they are doing us a favour.

 

The re-opening of these radio stations and the dropping of bogus charges against the journalists is not a favour from the Government. Rather it is a confirmation of the blatant abuse of power by the State for which they must be held accountable. The Government only withdrew from that violation simply because GPU and citizens stood their ground.

 

For The Gambia Our Homeland

 

…………………………………………….

Madi Jobarteh

Skype: madi.jobarteh

Twitter: @jobartehmadi

LinkedIn: Madi Jobarteh

Phone: +220 9995093

OIC project gains delight Saudi Fund top official amid Gambia trip

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The head of the visiting delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development, Special Adviser Eng. Yousef I. Al-Bassam has expressed delight at the state of progress of the ongoing project implementation works for the 2022 OIC Heads of State and Government Summit in The Gambia.

Special Adviser Yousef I. Al-Bassam made the remarks on Tuesday during a courtesy call on the Management of the Secretariat in Brusubi to acquire first-hand information on the ongoing infrastructural works for the Summit.

The Saudi Fund for Development is one of The Gambia’s foremost partners for the OIC projects providing financing for the building of a VVIP Lounge at the Banjul International Airport, the construction of the 20 secondary urban roads, and the Electricity Network Enhancement Project and Rehabilitation of Water and Sanitation Networks Project – all of which are overseen by NAWEC.

Heads of the implementing agencies of the various OIC projects like the National Road Authority, Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, and NAWEC were present to give a detailed presentation on the status of projects being supported by the Saudi development agency.
Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat, Mr. Yankuba Dibba warmly welcomed the delegation and thanked the Saudi Fund for their immense support to the country’s bid to hosting a successful Summit. ‘’We cannot thank you enough for all you have done for us for the summit. We are quite grateful’’, he said.

Director of Water Services at NAWEC also thanked the Saudi Fund for coming to their aid in supporting the improvement of their generation and distribution capacities in both water and electricity components. He said the projects could not have come at a better time and will go a long way in improving the living conditions of the Gambian people. The shortlisting of consulting firms has been completed and soon the responsive bidder will be selected, and works will begin for the design phase.

Similar comments were made by the Managing Director of the National Roads Authority as well as the OIC Project Manager of GCCA, who stressed that they are on course to complete the building of the Presidential Lounge in time for the 2022 Summit.
CEO Dibba later led the delegation on a conducted tour of the facilities of the newly commissioned Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.

The Saudi Fund delegation is in the country to sign a $12 million grant for the Airport Expansion Project.

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