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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 25 May 2006 : 15:15:25
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GNTCA MEMBERS MARCH TO STATE HOUSE
By Surakata Danso
Dejected members of The Gambia National Transport Controllers Association recently embarked on a demonstration. The aggrieved members of the aforesaid association marched to State House after they were barred from attending their congress by officials of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
Our reporter who witnessed the confrontation between the drivers and security officers at the Atlantic Hotel, heard the PIU officials telling the dejected drivers that they have been ordered to bar them from attending the congress because they are not invited.
Senior police and military officers, National Assembly Members, businessmen and some trade unionists were present at the scene. A senior state guard official was present at scene.
The affected drivers did tell the PIU officers that they are the original members of the aforesaid association. Angered by the decision of the PIU officers, the drivers organised themselves and marched to State House to lodge their complaint to the President. The drivers said they wanted to tell the President that the security forces have been and are still meddling into their internal affairs.
On arrival at the State House gate, some of the drivers could be heard advising their colleagues to be fearless and should not run away. As the noise intensified, a senior state guard officer who was seen talking to the angry drivers at the Atlantic Hotel arrived at the scene to talk to the angry drivers who demanded to see the President.
Captain Njie, the head of the State Guard unit, ordered his men to lead the crowd into the July 22 Square. He (Captain Njie) went into the State House and later emerged to meet with the drivers at the July 22 Square.
Alieu Ngum, who was elected, filed coordinator by the 2001 congress delegates, Alieu Willan, an executive member, Alhaji Filijeh Nyassi (Former Vice President of the association between 1993-2000), Mr. Sabally of the Tipper Garage, and one Demba, an executive member from the Brikama branch spoke on behalf of the angry drivers. Their speeches were recorded on tape by the security officers.
The drivers claimed that,
(1) The congress is illegal due to the expiry of the term of office of the executive since 14th April 2006.
(2) That their denial to attend the congress by the members of the association and some officers of the security forces is a ploy to maintain the unwarranted executive and to cover the mismanagement carried out by the executive over the years.
(3) They questioned the powers of the executive in expelling members of the association who are Gambians from garages and replacing them with foreigners.
(4) They also questioned the powers of the executive in refusing the demands of the general members.
(5) That it is the interim committee, which should have conducted the auditing of their five year, term and proceed to hold a congress.
6) That the President, as the father of the nation, should look into the matter and address it.
Captain Njie later advised the crowd to keep the peace by going home before the matter is addressed. He finally advised them to write to the President and attached all copies of correspondences they ever wrote on the matter.
When this reporter contacted Alieu Ngum who was assigned to write the letter, he had confirmed that the letter as requested had been written to the President and had attached several correspondences to it as reference. He said they are only waiting for the President’s response.
FOROYAA will endeavour to interview members of the current executive of GNTCA to get their views on the issue.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.39/2006, 22-24 May, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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