By Alieu Jallow

More than 20,000 residents of Mandinary Daru Madina Salam are facing the potential threat of forced eviction from their homes, a circumstance that has provoked significant worry among those affected and has led to psychological unrest among the community members.

In a press conference held at the village square on Saturday, 14th September, residents highlighted that the looming threat of eviction stems from the Sheriff Division of the High Court of the Gambia. This follows the court’s decision in favor of Sering B. Jobe, who asserts ownership of the property spanning 97.36 hectares. The residents contend that the justification for this claim is insufficient and that the process was fraught with irregularities.

Ebrima Sallah, speaking on behalf of the task force committee, outlined that they were warned to vacate the said property on or before Friday, September 13, 2024.

Accordingly, failure to do so, [a] forceful eviction will ensue. However, the said notice couldn’t hold due to some interventions. Sallah stressed that the notice clearly indicates that the said leased property is in Kombo Kerewan; thus, the question is, why does the eviction affect residents of Mandinary and its surroundings that are not part of Kombo Kerewan?

“This is a concern which should be observed by the relevant authorities concerning the demarcation of village boundaries of Kerewan, Lamin, Mandinary, and Makumbaya conducted sometime in 2013 by a task force established by the government.

“We wish to inform the relevant authorities that this statement is disheartening and would no doubt impact on the socio-economic and political lives of the people residing in the above communities,” Sallah said.

Mr. Sallah emphasized that protecting individual rights and freedoms is crucial, but he also highlighted the government’s duty to ensure the welfare, well-being, and territorial integrity of every community.

“If the eviction is implemented as planned, it is expected to displace more than one thousand (1,000) households with a total population of over twenty thousand (20,000) including youths, children and women,” he said.

Sallah outlined that each compound owner has his/her land transfer documents, pays annual rates and taxes and is in the process of acquiring occupancy and title deeds, thus contributing towards national development. However, he asserts that the land encroachment caused by Mr Serigne Jobe’s leased property located in Kombo Kerewan has hindered their documentation process from acquiring Title Deeds.

“It would be illogical to deprive people and families of their life investments for the sake of unscrupulous individuals. This initiative is taken to grant absolute protection and security to the rights of citizenry/residents who are faced with housing constraints.

“We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly due to the inconvenience and disruption it will cause to the livelihood of the affected residents and families. Therefore, the government must consider the interest of the community to promote a balance of good, social cohesion and harmony, efficient allocation of resources, balancing competing interests and long-term sustainability.

“So, on that note, we urge the relevant authorities to find alternative solutions and explore all possible avenues to amicably resolve this matter for the sake of peace and humanity. We are convinced that the relevant authorities will listen to our concerns for the common interest of the communities that are threatened by this adverse notice,” he said.

Residents alleged that Sering B Jobe, the Alkalo of Serrekunda, claimed that GUC, now NAWEC, had a project and thus needed land which was allocated to him in Kombo Kerewan and given to him by the then chief of Lamin and governor West Coast in 1991. They equally alleged that he was using his administrative powers to secure and even the current land in question, the documents were not signed.

The upcoming weeks are crucial in deciding the community’s destiny as they persist in their struggle for their lives and homes, emphasizing that their appeal is not merely for shelter, but for dignity and justice.

By Mama A. Touray

The Director of Finance at Kanifing Municipal Council, Dr. Alieu Keita, has given testimony before the ongoing local government commission of inquiry, stating that the KMC ‘Mbalit’ project was disadvantageous to the council.

Dr. Keita described the Mbalit Project as an “unusual project” and “highly complicated,” with arrangements that did not benefit the council.

Keita testified that upon reviewing the contract, he reported his concerns to Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, highlighting that the banks were exploiting the council and emphasizing the necessity to revise the project to conserve the council’s funds.

“The mayor told me to back off. He asked me to leave it as it is,” he told the commission.

According to the written statement of Dr. Kieta dated 4th May 2023, the mode of servicing the loan for the Mbalit Project was “unusual”.

“The agreement was highly complicated, and the project was a special agreement between AGIB and the council. The guarantors were used as collateral. I wanted to save the council some money and I wanted to ensure that they were not overcharged,” he told the commission.

Adding that “everything was at their advantage” while the council was at a “disadvantage” position.

Kieta however testified that he was not involved in the Mbalit Project and that his former deputy Sheriff Njie has all the documentation.

“Only some people have access to the documentation,” he said.

He, however, did not provide more details of the Mbalit Project as he described the project as “complicated”.

Lead counsel Gomez asked what was complicated about the project and Kieta responded: “It is not the normal loan that I know of that banks give out. It was a special arrangement between the council and Espace Motors. It is not normal”.

Kieta informed the commission that monies were taken from the KMC main accounts plus the revenue generated from the Mbalit Project to pay the loan. He added that the payment was made to AGIB Bank in the Mbalit Account.

According to section 3 of the Finance and Audit Act, “a council shall keep a council development fund into which all revenue generated by the council shall be paid and from which all liabilities falling to be discharged by the council shall be discharged”.

“KMC has about 3 main accounts and the council did not operate in line with the dictates of the law in terms of maintaining bank accounts,” Kieta said, admitting that they did not comply with the law. He admitted further that the Local Government Finance and Audit Act is binding on them.

The Commission requested Dr. Kieta to provide all the documents related to the Mbalit Project by virtue of his position.

By Mama A. Touray

The special presidential adviser to President Adama Barrow, Momodou Sabally, has expressed his full support for the 2024 gazette draft constitution, which is set to be sent to the National Assembly, stating that he “hundred per cent” agrees with the president and his cabinet regarding the changes made in the draft.

He made these remarks during an appearance on Eye Africa TV, where he thanked the President and his cabinet for gazetting the 2020 draft constitution.

“I congratulate the President and his cabinet for the changes they have made in the draft constitution, and I agree with it [one] hundred per cent. All the clauses they have removed should be deleted and what I believe is that a constitution that talks too much is a bad constitution,” he said.

Sabally stated that President Barrow, during the national dialogue, pledged a new constitution—a promise he fulfilled—demonstrating his dedication to providing the country with a new constitution.

He said: “What I want Gambians to know is that the constitution is what governs the country, and it is never easy for people with divergent views to come together and agree with one voice”.

Sabally also referred to America’s experience, noting that the drafting of its constitution took several months to reach consensus, and it has been subject to continuous amendments over time.

“What I believe is the right to allow the draft constitution to go to the National Assembly and we discuss over it. President Barrow and the Attorney General did not say this draft constitution is [the] Quran for it to be accepted as it is instead, they said to let it go through parliament processes,” he said.

“America is the maker of democracy, and their constitution is part of the constitutions that are very small in terms of size. A little country that is not equivalent to a local government area in Lagos, you want to bring the Quran as a constitution. I agree with President Adama Barrow and the Attorney General with regards to the changes they did with the cabinet,” Sabally added.

Sabally was prompt in stating that his agreement should not be seen as an endorsement of the draft’s perfection, acknowledging that just as humans are imperfect, so too is the draft.

“The talking is too much. The part given to women in the constitution as protection of women’s empowerment and rights is enough for me and the freedom of expression. Again, is the draft constitution perfect, no but I commend President Barrow and the cabinet and them and support them hundred per cent,” he said.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia Police Force (GPF) on Thursday commemorated the first anniversary of the fatal shooting of two officers on September 12, 2023, which also resulted in serious injuries to a female officer.

Officers PC Sang J. Gomez and PC Pateh were shot dead last year at the Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Lights while their colleague Officer Ansey Jawo survived but suffered serious injuries.

During the event, CP Momodou Sowe, representing the Inspector General of Police, paid tribute to the fallen officers as heroes whose sacrifice will always be remembered.

He extended the IG’s sympathies to the families of the deceased, acknowledging that their loss is immeasurable.

Sowe described the past year as a period of contemplation, grief, and recovery for the department, the families of the officers, and the broader community.

He emphasized that the pain of losing two courageous individuals cannot be erased.

According to Sowe, Officers PC Sang J. Gomez and PC Pateh Jallow exemplified the highest standards of public service through their dedication, bravery, and unwavering commitment to the safety of others.

Mr. Sowe also remembered W/St Ansey Jawo who survived as a brave officer despite the immense physical and emotional challenges she endured.

He also highlighted that the deceased officers had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, underscoring the dangers faced by officers daily in the pursuit of justice and peace.

Sowe expressed that their absence has left a void in the hearts of many and the community.

The incident from last year continues to raise serious concerns, as the case remains in court with the primary suspect (Ousainou Bojang) facing trial on murder charges.

By: Mama A. Touray

New Jeshwang, Ebo Town women gardeners, in an exclusive interview with The Network, lamented the lack of space to continue their gardening as the authorities allegedly sold their garden space in Jeshwang.

Sibi Saidy, a resident of Ebo Town whose source of livelihood depends on gardening and marketing, said: “Gardening is what we do for a living. We sell at the market, and after that, we come to the garden. At this point, we don’t have a place to even do our gardening because in Jeshwang, where we garden, they have sold the place. The only place left is at the back of the school where we do our small gardening.”

She continued: “At this point, there are people who want to work, but due to the lack of space to garden, they can’t. When we say, ‘Let’s work,’ and we have no place to work, it will definitely be a problem. They have sold all the available land and dug holes just to frustrate us.”

In an emotional tone, Sibi said: “We, the women, do not have power; our power relies on this gardening, so help us.”

She added that after the gardening, they give the space to other people who cultivate rice, and when those people are done, they hand the space back to them to continue gardening.

Isatou Ceesay, a resident of New Jeshwang, told The Fatu Network that the garden has over three hundred gardeners and that they are faced with many challenges, such as water shortages and lack of access to fertilizer. She also mentioned that they do not have their own garden, and the space they are occupying is not fenced.

She said that as a result of the unfenced space, animals disturb their vegetables and eventually destroy their crops. “If we have support for a borehole and fencing, we will be happy,” she said.

“We do gardening in the dry season, and during the rainy season, we return the land to the owners to farm rice. We are calling on authorities and philanthropists to come to our aid so that we can have our own garden to farm both during the dry and rainy seasons,” she added.

Another challenge highlighted by Sibi Saidy was the lack of fertilizer. “Having access to fertilizer is difficult, and if you are to buy it, it’s you, as the woman, who will buy it for yourself. If you don’t have money for three to four bags of fertilizer, you will face challenges because one bag cannot sustain your crops. In fact, buying two, three, or four bags of fertilizer is not easy. Even if you want to buy them, you think of your children and what you will give them.”

She added: “If the crops are not covered with fertilizer, you lose your crops, and it becomes a great loss. If you want to have healthy, fresh, and nice crops, you need to have fertilizer.”

By Alieu Jallow

ASP Modou Musa Sissawo, the Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Police Force, has expressed concerns regarding the police salaries, labelling it a “challenge for everybody”.

The GPF’s men and women are tasked with the duty of safeguarding citizens, fighting crime, and ensuring the prevalence of justice. Nonetheless, their unwavering dedication seems to be undermined by insufficient wages, leading to discontent and unprofessional conduct, including the solicitation of bribes from both citizens and foreigners.

In light of these issues, the Police PRO remarked that being governed by the Public Service Commission presents significant challenges to their salary structure.

“Salaries are a challenge for everybody, which is the elephant in the house. The challenge with that [is] the Gambia Police Force is under the Gambia government, and we don’t have our [own] pay scale. So, it is like when the government increases the salaries, our salary also increases,” Sisawo said.

The police spokesperson emphasized their work on the Police Draft Bill, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the Police Force and other aspects intended to strengthen the police department. PRO Sissawo also refuted claims that inadequate salaries drive their officers to accept bribes.

“Bribery usually is about the attitude of the person. It is not about salaries because many people are accused of bribery and corruption who receives 10 times more than the average salary of a police officer on the street who is alleged to have accepted bribes”.

Numerous police officers face financial difficulties and struggle to support their families because of their insufficient salaries. This issue particularly impacts junior officers, many of whom find it challenging to afford essentials like food, housing, and their children’s education.

ASP Sissawo emphasized that police should never accept bribes, as they are conscious of the salary that comes with their job. Nonetheless, ASP Sissawo acknowledged that with the substantial rise in the cost and standard of living, there is a pressing need for a salary increment.

“Looking at standards of living, things have changed in this country and there is a great need for salaries to be reviewed or adjusted for the Gambia Police Force. We are engaging the leaders, and they are aware. Hopefully, we will see at the strategic level as we are only at the operational level of government because we want to see how they can encourage our officers to serve in a very respectable, committed and deserving way of the public,” he said.

The problem of inadequate remuneration within the GPF is a significant concern that numerous officers have lamented. Despite risking their lives daily to enforce the law and safeguard citizens, many feel their dedication and sacrifices remain unrecognized, even as they face verbal and physical assaults from the very people they protect.