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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 18:23:23
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Dailynews Editorial: Concealing the Other Side of Banjul
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Every country; big or small, rich or poor, developed or developing and capitalist, communist or socialist, the media plays the most crucial role in portraying a positive image that could lure serious investors.
However, this role should be played without compromising the cardinal journalism principles such as ‘telling it as it is’ and to regard public interest as the first and foremost obligation.
Yet many a media institutions, especially those being sustained by tax payers are being constantly manipulated by politicians to serve their individual political intentions and interests at the expense of the public. This practice is more common in Africa, The Gambia, included.
Contrary to the beautiful images of our capital city being portrayed, there exist another side of Banjul; a side of Banjul different from the area cosmetised with green flowers, trees, roundabouts and Arch 22 that hosted glittering jumping lights that greets commuters from Denton Bridge (Sarro) to the 22 July Square is an imbalance plaster of the capital.
Indeed every Gambian should take pride in having a capital city that would be the envy of the world. And credit should be given to those who may be behind such achievements.
In our bid to present a balanced picture of Banjul, our editorial team recently toured various streets of Banjul.
In fact, from the Denton Bridge one would be flabbergasted to be greeted with those golden lights welcoming even unwelcomed entrants.
Another site of attractions is the Arch 22, which serves as entry portal to the city and the roundabout at the July 22 square.
Truth to be told, our capital city needs such developments.
Whether or not it is a misplaced priority is matter of debate given that many areas in the capital are in otherwise conditions such as poor sanitary and drainage systems and erratic water and electricity supply.
At a corner of Gambia Senior Secondary School – some metres away from the Arch 22 - stagnant waters are all over. Grant Street, Wellesley Street, James Senegal and many others areas visited are found to be in similar, if not worse conditions.
Therefore, concealing the other side of Banjul is an attempt to blindfold people about the real conditions they are living under and portraying only the cosmetised face is not a fair representation of our capital.
This unjournalistic practice by some Gambian media institutions will only succeed in giving rise to a similar embarrassing situation, which confronted Jamaican authorities when a prominent musical band, Morgan Family sang a song entitled: ‘smile about.’
And for the benefit of those who do not listen to reggae or the song in particular, Morgan Family explains the experience of a Norwegian who visited Jamaica and at first found a lot of things to smile about, but regretted smiling after taking a drive, seeing hungry children, dilapidated buildings etc.
“How can a government play so many games,” was the question the disappointed Norwegian is said to have raised for the so many screw faces in contrast to the cosmetised Kingston.
Source: dailynews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 18:25:32
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The Two Sides of Banjul
By Abdoulie Nget
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
 On entry into Gambia’s capital city, Banjul, commuters are now greeted with elevated view of saluting golden lights, which reads: “Welcome to the City of Lights.”
Unveiled at President Jammeh’s well celebrated 46 birthday anniversary, the recent street lightening of Banjul - from the Denton Bridge through to the Arch 22 and McCarthy square now 22 July Square roundabout – is hailed by some people as a tremendous facelift to The Gambia’s largely underdeveloped capital city.
Built in 1996, the impressive 35m tall Arch 22, which offers expansive views over the city also have its elephant pillars wrapped in golden lights.
The Daily News finds out that, already, the place is attracting some business activities, especially for photographers who no longer have to move about in search of beautiful spots to take pictures of their clients.
“It is very nice to see such a development in our country,” Sheik Cham, a photographer found taking pictures of clients using the Arch 22 as background told The Daily News.
“Before, we use to carry our cameras to go round in search of beautiful spots. But now, we just hang around here to take pictures because the decorations on the Arch 22 offers a beautiful background.”
Cham described the development as a positive move, noting that they have been having increased income ever since.
Some Senegalese youths on vacation in Gambia were also intrigued by the development as they were seen posed for pictures at the Arch 22.
“Though there are decorations in the city of Dakar, but not like this one in Banjul,” said Amadou Mballow.
“It came at a right time as it gives image to the city of Banjul, and I can say all Gambians are and will be proud if they see such a development in their country,” remarked Alieu Faye, a Banjulian, who thanked the Jammeh administration for the development.
However, beyond the beautiful scenery in that small part of Banjul lies another side of Banjul where inhabitants are in fury over growing mosquitoes’ infestation, poor sanitation and poor drainage systems.
Although the deputy Mayor of Banjul told GRTS that city of Banjul is among the cleanest cities in the world, many Banjulians interviewed by The Daily News find his statement unbelievable.
“You could see lights everywhere in the streets when entering into Banjul, but you would be caught by surprise to see the poor living conditions if you go just a litter further into Banjul,” said Aisha Bah, a native.
With the rains dropping soon, Banjulians are concerned about the seemingly inevitable flooding and other rain related disasters as not much, if any improvement is done to alleviate risk to rain-related disasters.
“We have been facing many difficulties during the rainy seasons and even anticipating the worst this upcoming rainy season. Water runs in and out of our compounds every rainy season,” Madam Bah said.
Mbye Jobe, a tailor residing at No. 12 Wellesley Street also raised similar concerns and yet he believes his area is far better off than other parts in Banjul,
For Baboucarr Ceesay of Pignard Street, they are exposed to malaria due to stagnant waters during the rainy season.
“I have been living in this street for a long time now. There is a big gutter running from Pignard Street to Ranking Street with huge amount of water during rains and it remains stagnant during the dry season. This puts us at the mercy of mosquitoes,” he added.
He appealed to the government through the Banjul City Council to help those living in unbearable conditions in some parts of Banjul.
Source: Dailynews |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 21:20:30
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"Mbye Jobe, a tailor residing at No. 12 Wellesley Street " The Daily News must have sent an old reporter there, I thought that all those names like Box Bar and Halfdie and Haddington St., Llewlen St. etc.a memory of past times had long been replaced with Arab Names  |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 09 Jun 2011 21:23:35 |
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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 22:49:09
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| Chei Waye !!! Touby the British Technocrat cum Gambian Politician or should I say son of the Gambia...................Lol |
I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 00:21:38
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
"Mbye Jobe, a tailor residing at No. 12 Wellesley Street " The Daily News must have sent an old reporter there, I thought that all those names like Box Bar and Halfdie and Haddington St., Llewlen St. etc.a memory of past times had long been replaced with Arab Names
TOUBAD, people take no notice of the changes. I still call Wellington Street Wellington Street, not Liberation Avenue.
Anyway, nice humour there. I nearly laughed my head off.
Cheers |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 00:35:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Moe
Chei Waye !!! Touby the British Technocrat cum Gambian Politician or should I say son of the Gambia...................Lol
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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