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Momodou
Denmark
11745 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Mar 2007 : 23:57:14
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BEGGARS CHARGED FOR OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Superintendent Famara Jobarteh, the new spokesperson of the Gambia Police Force, has confirmed that eight beggars have been charged with offences relating to the Highway Act.
Jobarteh told Foroyaa on Tuesday that they were arrested at diverse places in the Kanifing Municipality. He said that the authorities are concerned over the presence of beggars on the highways, which he said obstructs the traffic.
He also said that these beggars have already been arraigned before a court, recently, and one of them pleaded not guilty.
Mohammed Korah, President of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), has claimed that beggars were cleared from the Serrekunda Mosque last Friday. He added that the said beggars were detained by the police and released shortly after the Mid-afternoon (Jumah) prayers. The GFD President said he believes the arrest of the beggars on Friday was to bar them from receiving alms.
Mr. Korah also called on religious leaders such as Imams and Bishops to appeal to the police to leave beggars in peace.
However, superintendent Jobarteh has denied the arrest of the beggars on Friday.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 33/2007, 21 – 22 March 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11745 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 00:43:36
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Some of these people arresting the beggars will be the first to look for a beggar if their marabou tells them to give out some alms to one.
Here are some statistics from The Gambia Atlas of 2003 population and Housing Census on the Population with disability in 2003:
About 2.8 percent of the population (ca. 38100) in 2003 reported to have some disability. Seeing disability is the most common form of disability (37%) followed by physical disability (22%). Thirty-five percent of all disabled persons live in Brikama LGA. Due to its proximity to Banjul and Kanifing, Brikama is a residence of choice for a large segment of the disabled population who commute daily to Banjul and Kanifing in search of their livelihood. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 09:10:34
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| If mr jobartehs assertions is wrong then Yahyas administration is setting a very bad precedent.Instead of giving them state handouts,they are prepared to send them to prisons.How can one feeds his family if he/she is severely disable?The government should provide incapacity benefits for the disable and refrain them from paying the council tax. |
Edited by salimina |
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Jack
Belgium
384 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 11:12:46
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Hi Momodou. I think something is wrong with the figures.
Is it 2,8 % of the population, and then it will be 38100 people or is it realy 381000 and then it should be 28 %
jerejeff |
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Momodou
Denmark
11745 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 12:33:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Jack
Hi Momodou. I think something is wrong with the figures.
Is it 2,8 % of the population, and then it will be 38100 people or is it realy 381000 and then it should be 28 %
jerejeff
Hi Jack, thanks for the correction. I had a zero too much its now rectified . |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 20:00:54
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I agree more assistance needs to be given to the disabled. However there are different levels of disability. I think that resources should be made available to set up rogrammes to empower disabled people. To enable them to be assessed and to find out what types of projects could meet their needs.i.e learning new skills so that they can make money. Obviously this won't apply to severely disabled people but it is suprising what individuals can do when given the opportunity.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2007 : 18:27:14
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are the arrested people beggers, poor and really in need, if they are obstructing the traffic that is what they were arrested for. quote "He also said that these beggars have already been arraigned before a court, recently, and one of them pleaded not guilty.
Mohammed Korah, President of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), has claimed that beggars were cleared from the Serrekunda Mosque last Friday" they have a federation, so they are organised,. if they are disabled that is different, but just begging is another matter, disabled people have a union, let them speak on their behalf. |
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