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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Sep 2006 : 00:08:29
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Sister Omega, I had a busy week hence the reason for my late response. Nevertheless, I now have time to respond. Please allow me
1. Nyarikangbanna do you think the UDP/NRP has appropriate strategies in place to carry out the job? If so what measures will they put into place to attain this goal?
In order to be able to fight corruption you got to have the political will to start with. UDP/NRP has recognised the gruesome damage corruption has done to the Gambian economy. In order to make any difference from the status quo as an alternative government, you would have no choice but to tackle the problem. I believe the UDP/NRP has the political will to do so and that it is tangible.
The Gambian public laws provide that public bodies must be subjected to an annual audit exercise. This happened[ saved for State House which never had one] only once in the twelve year rule of the APRC. The outcome was quite chilling. Top government officials were indicted. Example, the Former mayor of kMC was asked to explain the disappearance of D1.5Million from the council’s coffers and his explanation was that he bought gravel to construct a road in Serrekunda but was washed away by rain. This was in 1995 when the Dalasis was reasonably strong meaning a D1.5 Million worth of gravel would be an enormous quantity. You need a tsunami to wash that off entirely. To cut a long story, the report was consigned to a dustbin and the auditor-general not only lost her job but was dragged to court on frivolous charges which were later dropped when the political fury over the scandal died down. The UDP/NRP seek to ensure that our anti-graft laws are not only enforced but made robust to enhance government’s capabilities to detect, prosecute perpetrators and to recover stolen monies and their proceeds. I think the UDP/NRP knows that once in government, their electibility in subsequent elections would depend on how effective they are in transforming Gambia from the status quo to a more prosperous one. If they fail to deliver, then the people will look for other alternatives. That is why it is important we aspire for change through the political process and not otherwise.
Nyarikangbanna you are right to cite the case of central bank and the former Majority Leaders fraud case as large scale corruption.
2. How would UDP/NRP reverse the overall corruption mentality of Gambian Civil Servants who confuse the Public Purse with their own purse, and equality of opportunity with nepotism? How will the UDP/NRP make the system more transparent and accountable to the public?
Like I said above, the UDP would be robust on their anti-graft operation. What is happening now is that perpetrators of corruption have been glorified by being given ministerial post. A typical example is Yankuba Touray who was indicted for siphoning D2 Million but was still reinstated in the cabinet, and Justice M A Paul, a high court judge, who was also indicted by a parliamentary committee but still retain his job as a judge. All these make a mockery of the need to stamp out graft in the public service. This would not be congenial with the ethical governance policy of the UDP/NRP and therefore would not be entertained.
Nyarikangbanna you indicated that the laws set down by Gambia's Creditors were not draconian and that the UDP/NRP would be able to fulfill their criteria.
3.However you didn't elaborate on the reason why Gambia was refused entrance into the African Growth and Opportunities Act. And what aspects of the criteria Gambia didn't fulfill and what assurances that UDP/NRP has to think if they would come into power that Gambia would definitely qualify for AGOA,HIPC etc?
I am not in position to quote the words of the US authorities on this matter for I do not have the document in hand. However, I read it before and it cited the numerous physical attacks on the private press including assassination, frequent arrest, detention without trail, torture, persecution of both real and perceived opponents of the regime and fiscal indiscipline in the public service.
How does the UDP/NRP propose to strengthen the Judicary?
UDP/NRP would seek to safeguard the independence of the judiciary. In the recent past a lot of executive interferences have been vitiated on the judiciary. We have seen the unceremonious and unconstitutional dismissals of Justice Hassan Jallow, former president of the Supreme Court and Justice Robin cooker of the High Court, and the resignation of Justice Mam Yassin Sey. In short, there is no security of tenure for judges. If you deliver a judgement against the government you will either have your contract not renewed on expiry or be dismissed forthwith. UDP/NRP would give security of tenure to judges. Judges would be appointed and award permanent contracts by an independent Judicial Service Commission which will compose of representatives of the bar, the bench and other civil society representatives. They would also make sure that judges are dismissed only after the right constitutional procedures are followed and this is to be carried out by Parliament after it has found a particular judge wanting for misconduct or for medical related reasons.
The capacity of justice system both human and material would be strengthened to ensure that not only do the judiciary delivers quality judgement but also to ensure that trails are as speedy as practicably possible so as to prevent the backlog of cases from building to an unprecedented level as they are now. Once the people are satisfied that the system is working, their confidence will be restored and that is very important for us to have if we are to attract investment into the country.
Sister omega, if you are looking for an alternative to the APRC, it is the UDP/NRP. All what you need telling your friends in the Gambia is; Vote Darboe! Vote Darboe! Vote Darboe!
Thanks for your thoughts.
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
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