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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jan 2016 : 18:47:16
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2015 IN BRIEF
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 4, 2016
Under this heading, we will sum up all the significant stories that were reported by Foroyaa in 2015. We start Chief Ebrima Mannehwith disappearance without trace.
DISAPPEARANCE WITHOUT TRACE
Disappearance of persons in The Gambia continues to show its ugly face in the year 2015. The following were reported missing by Foroyaa before 2015 but by 31 December 2015 there was still no trace of them.
CHIEF EBRIMA MANNEH a senior reporter at the Daily Observer Newspaper, has disappeared for more than 9 years now. He was arrested by security agents at his place of work on 26 July 2006. Since then, he has not been heard or seen by his family or colleagues.
On June 5 2015, the ECOWAS Court entered judgment in favour of the missing journalist and ordered the Gambian government to release and compensate him an amount of US 100,000 Dollars.
 
ALHAGIE MAMUT CEESAY AND EBOU JOBE, two Gambian born US citizens have disappeared for more than 2 Alhagi CeesayEbou Jobeyears. Theywere reported missing after being abducted by men in plain clothes on 22 June, 2013 in Brusubi, while on holiday in the Gambia.
Messrs Ceesay and Jobe have not been seen or heard from by their families since then.
The families have indicated that the police have been informed and are fully aware of the disappearance of the duo but are yet to come up with any findings regarding their whereabouts.
Mr. Ceesay worked for Chevron Texaco for 11 years as an Infrastructure systems analyst while Mr. Jobe, worked at Wal-Mart as an Operations Manager.
LIEUTENANT EBOU LOWE, a former officer of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has gone missing since 2006 (more Lieutenant Ebou Lowethan 9 years ago). Lt. Lowe was among the military officers who were arrested in the wake of the 21 March, 2006 attempted coup and later announced by the state media on 4 April, 2006 to have escaped with four other security officers while being transferred to Janjangbureh prison in the hinterland. Family members say they are yet to set eyes on him.
LAMIN KANYI (ALIAS KANYIBA KANYI), who hails from Jarra but resides in Bonto village in Kombo East, West Coast Region (WCR), has disappeared for more than 9 years.He was abducted on 18 September, 2006 by some plain clothes security agents, including a uniformed police officer, in the presence of his wife and brothers. At the time of his abduction, he was an employee of the Christian Children Fund (CCF), now Child Fund The Gambia. Since that fateful day, his whereabouts remain unknown to the family. Detention 2
LAMIN TUNKARA, a native of Kinteh Kunda/ Marong Kunda in the Central Baddibu District of the North Bank Region (NBR), has disappeared for more than 10 years. He was arrested on 21st July 2005 by a combined security team, comprising the CID (police), men in plain clothes and NIA agents, behind the Albert Market in Banjul.
A family source revealed that Mr. Tunkara was detained at the Police headquarters in Banjul for few days and later transferred to the Kairaba Police Station. His family said they still have no clue as to his whereabouts.
JASARJA KUJABI, who hails from Dobong village in the Foni Kansala District of West Coast Region (WCR), has disappeared for more than 10 years.Family members say he was arrested in their presence on the 27 July 2005 and taken away to an unknown destination and disappeared without trace since then.
HARUNA JAMMEH has disappeared for more than 10 years now.According to family members he was abducted on the same day and around the same time as Jasarja.
Eyewitnesses say the two were put together in the same vehicle and whisked away. He has not been seen since that day, according to his family.
MRS. MASIREH JAMMEH, alias MARCIE, a former employee at State House in Banjul and also a native of Kanilaihas disappeared for more than 10 years now. She was reported missing since 15 July, 2005. It was reported that she too was picked up by security personnel.
ALHAGIE MOMODOU LAMIN NYASSI, the then chief of Foni Kansala District, NDONGO MBOOB and Alhagie BUBA SANYANG, aka BUBAI, who are all from Bwiam village in the West Coast Region (WCR), have all disappeared for more than 9 years now. They were taken away in the evening of Tuesday, 4 April, 2006 in a blue and numberless vehicle with tinted glasses.
POLICE PROSECUTOR ELIMAN NJIE, a Police Prosecutor attached to the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) at Police headquarters in Banjul, went missing on Sunday, 31 May 2015, after leaving his house, according to his wife.
Source: http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/8780
See the next edition for Detention without Trial
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2016 : 17:13:21
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ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS IN 2015
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 6, 2016
We continue with the series ‘2015 in Brief’. In the last edition we dealt with ‘Disappearance without Trace’. We ARRESTS AND DETENTIONSnow continue our summation of 2015 with the arrests and detentions beyond the constitutional limit of 72 hours that were reported by Foroyaa.
The position of the Constitution on arrest and detention is quite clear. In the first place there must be reasonable grounds of suspicion that a person has committed an offence or is about to commit an offence before arrest is effect. But this is not all, to prevent impunity to show its ugly face, the Constitution provides under section 19 that a person arrested must either be released or brought before a court within 72 hours. However this provision of the Constitution has been treated with disregard by the executive and many persons were detained beyond the 72 hours limit in the course of 2015.
In fact, a former Human Resource Director of Gamtel/Gamcel, MR SEEDY JAITEH is still been held in detention without trial at the state central prison at Mile Two outside the capital city of Banjul, according to a close source.
According to family sources, Mr Jaiteh was arrested on 27 August, 2014 by members of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) at his residence in Manjai Kunda around mid-night and led to a waiting vehicle with tinted glasses and without a registration number plate that whisked him away. He was initially held at the NIA from where he was later transferred to the state central prison, where he has being held incommunicado at the maximum security wing without access to his loved ones, a source lamented.
A former Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDEA), PA HABIB MBYE has been arrested from his home Pa Habib Mbyein Tallinding and detained at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in Banjul since on Sunday, 20 December, 2015 at around 10 pm.
A source says he has been denied access to his family.
In the next edition we will deal with detainees who detained beyond 72 hours but released in the course of 2015.
By 31 December 2015, IMAM SHEIKH OMAR COLLEY, the imam at a mosque in Jabang-Borehole in the Kombo South District had been in detention for 77 days without trial.Sheikh Omar Colley
His detention started when he received a phone directing him to report to the nearest Police station on Thursday, 15 October, 2015. He reported at Old Yundum Police Station immediately where he was detained overnight before being picked up by unnamed security agents who headed towards Banjul, on Friday 16 October, where was detained.
Now the NIA is saying he is no longer with them.
IMAM CHERNO GASSAMA of Darsilami Mosque in the Lower Fulladu West District, Central River Region is currently detained at the Janjanbureh Central Prison, a reliable source reveals.
According to sources, Imam Gassama was arrested since on Monday, 2 November, 2015 at his residence in Darsilami by personnel of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) accompanied by a police officer from Brikamaba Police Station.
Close family sources have confirmed to Foroyaa that IMAM OUSMAN SAWANEH of the Kanifing South Mosque is still being detained at the remote Janjangbureh prison without access to his family for 75 days today.Imam Sawaneh of Kanifing South Mosque
His son indicated that, that they made several unsuccessful attempts to have access to him as the prison officers would not allow them to see him.
Imam Sawaneh was picked up by unidentified men in civilian clothes around 10 am on Sunday, 18 October, 2015, while leading a team of workers to clear the grass in the Kanifing South Cemetery.
His whereabouts were not initially known by the family but was later traced at the NIA headquarters in Banjul.
A family source disclosed that the Imam was later transferred to Janjanbureh Prison in the Central River Region (CRR) since the 27th October, 2015 where he is still held without access to his family.
Source: http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/8801 |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2016 : 09:55:17
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High Profile Cases
Foroyaa: January 11, 2016
2015 IN BRIEF
High Profile Cases
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. So far we have covered disappearance without trace and detention without trial (whether the detainee has been released or not). We now summarise Foroyaa stories on high profile cases in 2015. Some of the cases have been concluded or withdrawn but others are still on; some of the convicts are still in prison while others have been pardoned.
Lt. Col. Solo Bojang Subjected To Court Martial
 Foroyaa was been informed that Lieutenant Colonel Solo Bojang, a former commander of the State Guards stationed at President Jammeh’s home village of Kanilai and also the former farm manager of Kanilai Family Farm (KFF), was dragged to a court martial on Monday, 3rd August, 2015 to answer to charge(s) preferred against him.
He has been jailed for one year in prison by the court martial at the Fajara Barracks annex in Bakau on 27 August 2015, according to a family source.
The source said Bojang was escorted out of the room immediately after the passing of the sentence and the family was not allowed to talk to him as he was taken back to prison.
The charges are not known to the public and the media was not allowed to cover the proceedings.
The erstwhile senior military officer was earlier arraigned before the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on 12 May 2014 and charged with three counts of ‘Abuse of office’, ‘Conspiracy’, ‘Theft’ and ‘False information’. He was acquitted and discharged on all but one charge i.e. the False Information and of which he was convicted and fined D50, 000. The family told this medium that the fine was immediately paid.
However, he was rearrested while leaving the Brikama court room by the operatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) who accompanied him to the court.
Lt. Col. Bojang, according to his family, was detained at the NIA detention centre in Tanji, Kombo South before being transferred to Mile 2 prison.
Court Acquits and Discharges Caliph
 Sheikh Muhideen Hydara and Buyeh Touray, the Caliph General and former Alkalo of Darsilameh Sangajor in Foni respectively, were acquitted and discharged on the two counts preferred against them by the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 27 May, 2015.
Delivering the verdict on the trial that lasted for more than nine months in a crowded courtroom, Magistrate Ebrima Jaiteh said “no reasonable tribunal can secure conviction.”
Maka Alkalo fined D6000 for using disputed land
 The Alkalo of Maka Village was fined a total sum of D6000 for two offences related to land in his village by the Lower Nuimi District Tribunal in Essau on Thursday 11 June 2015.
He was fined D5000 for using Maka village land and obstructing livestock from using it as pathway and another D1000 for pulling down 2 pillars that were erected by the VDC. The complainants claim that the land was designated as pathway for livestock but the defendant Alkalo claim that the land is his property. He also denied that he pulled down two of the erected pillars. The findings of the tribunal is that he pulled down the pillars and the land was designated as pathway for livestock. The Alkalo expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision of the tribunal and the manner the case was conducted and indicated his intention to appeal.
Veronic Carayol ordered to pay a fine or risk jail
 Veronic Carayol, the erstwhile Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement at The Gambia Revenue Authority was ordered to pay a fine amounting to D90,000 on the charges she was found guilty by the court or risk going to jail.
Ms Carayol was relieved of her position since last September, 2014 as the deputy commissioner of enforcement at The Gambia Revenue Authority and had since been on trial on false information, abuse of office, unlawful publication and corrupt practice, charges she denied.
It would be recalled that Ms Carayol was earlier arraigned on September 23, 2014 before the said court charged with the above charges and was granted bail in the sum of a million dalasis with two Gambian sureties.
Court Dismisses Amadou Sanneh’s Appeal
 The Gambia Court of Appeal, comprising a panel of 3 judges headed by Justice Edrissa Fafa Mbai, has unanimously dismissed the appeal case of Mr. Amadou Sanneh, the National Treasurer of the United Democratic Party (UDP), on 30 July, 2015.
When the case was called, Justice Mbai said the appeal of Mr. Sanneh is unanimously dismissed and the reasons will be given later on the 15th October, 2015.
Mr. Sanneh is challenging the conviction of Justice Emmanuel Nkea of the Special Criminal Division of the Banjul High to serve five years for sedition related charges and five years for conspiracy both of which are to run concurrently.
He was sentenced on the 18 December 2013 in a trial which lasted for three months.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2016 : 22:14:16
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2015 IN BRIEF High Profile Cases
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 12, 2016
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. So far we have covered disappearance without trace and detention without trial (whether the detainee has been released or not).
In the last edition we started with summaries of Foroyaa stories on high profile cases in 2015. Some of the cases have been concluded or withdrawn but others are still on; some of the convicts are still in prison while others have been pardoned.
We continue from where we stopped.
Alhaji Abdoulie Ceesay, Manager Teranga FM
Taranga FM Manager Dragged to Court, Remanded Abdoulie Ceesay, Managing Director of the Sinchu Alagie based Taranga FM, was on August 4, 2015, arraigned at the lower court in Banjul and charged with a single count of “Seditious intention” contrary to section 51 (1) (d) of the Criminal Code, laws of The Gambia.
However, Mr. Ceesay has denied any wrong doing and was consequently
remanded and denied bail.
He was denied bail by Justice Simeon Ateh Abi of the Banjul High Court on 19 August, 2015. He was also indicted by the prosecution on six more charges of ‘Sedition’ and ‘Publication of false news’On Tuesday, 25 August, 2015, he pleaded not guilty to the fresh charges of sedition and publication of false news preferred against him by the state at the high court in Banjul. His trial continues.
On Thursday, 17 December, 2015 the court refused the application of the defence to expunge the testimony of Fatou Drammeh, a protocol officer under the office of the president, who had earlier testified as second prosecution witness (PW2) but was not available for continuation of cross-examination after several proceedings. The case has been adjourned till 28 January 2016 while the accused remains remanded in custody.
Babylon Alkalo’s case struck out after two weeks in remandBabylon Alkalo Mr. Lamin Jarju, Alkalo of Babylon in the Kombo North district of West Coast Region, was arrested and remanded at the state central prison in Mile 2 for a fortnight.
A source told Foroyaa that Mr. Jarju was arrested on the 27 August, 2015 after being charged with a single count of ‘Disobedience to Lawful Order.’ He denied the allegation against him.
Mr. Jarju was denied a court bail and was subsequently remanded. He was later granted bail on Monday 14 September 2015 after spending two weeks in remand following indictment by the state on one count charge. The presiding magistrate Hilary Abeke of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court finally granted the accused bail when the prosecuting officer, Touray did not make any objection to the bail application filed by the
defence counsel. When the matter was considered by the court the purported order which he allegedly disobeyed could not be produced and the case was struck out by the magistrate.
It could be recalled that Mr. Jarju was among the 13 inhabitants of Babylon settlement who were charged with multiple counts, including ‘arson’, and in which he and two others were eventually convicted by the lower court in Brikama. He was later released after paying the fine but had spent at least 3 months in jail on other counts.
Magistrate Jaiteh discharged, sacked Magistrate
Mr. Jaiteh was arraigned in camera (within closed doors) at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 charged with abuse of office and negligence of official duties. This came after he spent 3 nights in detention at the Police headquarters in Banjul following his arrest and handing over to the serious crime unit.
Family sources link his arrest to a decision he had taken in court by transferring the matter to Bundung Magistrates’ court on the basis of territorial jurisdiction.
After his arraignment, he was granted bail by the Brikama magistrates’ court in the sum of D50,000 and the case was adjourned till 25 November 2015.
However, the single charge preferred against the removed Magistrate was dropped during proceedings held in camera on Thursday, December 03, 2015 presided over by principal magistrate Hilary Abeke.
Meanwhile in interviews with Foroyaa, senior lawyers maintain that the Constitution gives magistrates, judges and other adjudicators immunity and it is wrong for them to be arrested, detained or prosecuted for the decisions they make.
Mr. Ebrima Jaiteh was also removed from the judiciary following his release from detention at the Police headquarters in Banjul.
No reason was given. “I was not told about the reason of my dismissal but I was told ‘thank you for your services you have been rendering,” the sacked magistrate remarked.
State withdraws all 5 Charges against the Kartong 33
The Brikama Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, December 01, 2015 granted the prosecution’s application for the withdrawal of all the five count charges against the 33 alleged protestors who are natives of the coastal town of Kartong, in Kombo South, West Coast Region.
The Magistrate Hilary Abeke had on 24 November, 2015 denied bail to 33 young people, including one woman and an 18 year old boy, from the coastal village of Kartong in Kombo South District in the West Coast Region.
The 33 youth were indicted on five counts of misdemeanor, prohibition of conduct conducive to the breach of peace, riot, malicious injuries and riotously interfering with vehicle/vessel. All the accused persons had pleaded not guilty.
Sheikh Cham Charged with Obstruction, Granted Bail
Mr. Sheikh Cham, a resident of Kombo Lamin and a staff of the Social Security and Housing Finance Cooperation (SSHFC), has been finally arraigned before Magistrate Colley of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8 June, 2015 and charged for obstructing the narcotic officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before being granted bail in the sum of Fifty Thousand Dalasi (D50, 000.00).
The prosecution concluded their case and the defence have expressed their intention to file a motion of “no case to answer.”
Sheikh Cham was arrested and detained by the NDLEA and he alleged that he was beaten by his arrestors.
Waa Juwara acquitted & discharged
Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara, the former Minister for Local Government, Regional Administration and Traditional Rulers was on 11 May 2015Waa Juwara acquitted and discharged by the lower court in Brikama of a single count of ‘Abuse of Office’ on the ground that he has all the mandate to appoint and dismiss any Alkalo (village head) for wrongful conduct.
The trial Magistrate, Mr Ebrima Jaiteh, ruling on ‘No Case to Answer’ said the accused person is empowered by the Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia and that prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
However, his case together with Hamidou Jallow, Ex Principal Evaluation officer at the Department of Lands and Survey and Tamsir Onasis Conteh at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court is still in progress. Mr Juwara concluded his testimony and the trial is adjourned till 2 February 2016 for addresses. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2016 : 20:04:32
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BRIEF HIGH PROFILE CASES
Editorial: January 18, 2016
2015 IN BRIEF
HIGH PROFILE CASES
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. We now conclude the summaries of Foroyaa stories Ebrima Jawara, CPCU Coordinatoron high profile cases in 2015. Some of the cases have been concluded or withdrawn but others are still on; some of the convicts are still in prison while others have been pardoned.
Ebrima Jawara, 4 Others Arraigned
Mr. Ebrima Jawara, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and four others, namely Dr. Alasan Bah, Sulayman Manneh, Lamin Fatajo and Momodou Lamin Mass, all of Rural Finance Project (RFP) were on Monday, 7 September, arraigned before Magistrate Fatou Darboe of Banjul Magistrates Court.
Prosecutors presented a ten count indictment against the five agric officials ranging from alleged stealing by person in public service, abuse of office, stealing by clerk or servant theft and four economic crimes related counts.
Mr. Ebrima Jawara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, was denied bail on 28 September, 2015, while his co-accused, Dr. Alasan Bah, was granted bail in the sum of 10 million dalasis.
Lamin Fatajo, former project coordinator, Rural Finance Project, Lamin Mass, former acting Finance and Administrative Manager, and Sulayman Manneh, the Auditor of the same project under the ministry of agriculture, were also granted bail in the sum of 7 million and 6 million, respectively, by Justice Muhammed Dan Azumi Balarabe of the Banjul High court on 30 September, 2015.
Prosecutors earlier presented at the lower court in Banjul a ten count charge against the aforesaid persons ranging from ‘Stealing by Person in Public Service’, ‘Abuse of office’, ‘Stealing by clerk or servants’ and ‘Theft to four counts of Economic Crime’. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case was thus transferred to the high court which has the jurisdiction to hear economic crime cases.
Mr. Ebrima Jawara, was on 14 December, 2015 arraigned again before acting Principal Magistrate Omar Jabang on a single count charge of “Punishment for malicious injuries in general”.
Presidential Pardon
First Pardon
 It was announced in a press release issued on Friday, 3 July that the president of the Republic of The Gambia, acting in accordance with the constitution, has pardoned 85 prisoners from the Mile 2 central prison.
Among the prisoners released are Mr. Modou Gaye, a former deputy Inspector General of Police, who was serving a life imprisonment for his role in an attempted coup d’etat which also involved Lt. Gen. Lang Tombong Tamba, the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), and five others. In this release, he is the only known pardoned prisoner whose conviction was based on a politically related offence.
The rest of the pardoned prisoners are all ex-convicts on common law crimes.
Modou Gaye, former DIGP pardoned prisoners
Second Pardon: President Jammeh Pardons Convicts from 1994-2013
 President Jammeh has announced the pardoning of convicts sentenced to death or are serving life imprisonment from 1994 to 2013, those convicted of treason from 1994 to 2013, murder convicts who have served 10 years or above and drug offence convicts, who are not habitual offenders or repeaters and have served 5 years or more, for hard drugs, and 3 years or more, for cannabis
He made this announcement in his speech marking the 21st anniversary of the 22 July military takeover of government which brought him to power in 1994.
The pardoned prisoners were released before the Jumah prayers on Friday, 24 July, 2015.
GOVERNMENT FINALLY PUBLISHES LIST OF PARDONED PRISONERS
237 prisoners pardoned
The Government of The Gambia finally published the proclamation on the list of pardoned prisoners in compliance with the Constitution. The proclamation was published in the Gambia Gazette Number 21 Vol. 132 and dated 27th August 2015, although the publication was ready and accessible to the public on 14th September 2015.A truck transporting some pardoned prisoners
A quick count shows that 237 prisoners were pardoned. A breakdown of the pardoned prisoners is as follows:
Offence for which the prisoner was convicted Number pardoned
Treason 26
Murder 15
Robbery 7
Hard drugs 8
Possession of prohibited drugs 91
Possession of prohibited drugs (Janjangbureh) 7
Rape (juvenile) 1
Drug trafficking 72
Conspiracy and abuse of office 3
Economic crime and abuse of office 7
Total 237
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/8999 |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2016 : 20:26:38
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2015 IN BRIEF
Foroyaa Editorial: January 20, 2016
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. We now summarise the stories detentionPapa Faalrelating to the December 30 insurrection.
30 DECEMBER ATTACK ON STATE HOUSE
 On 30 December 2014, between the hours of 2am and 4am, sporadic heavy gunfire kept Banjulians awake and when daylight came they found soldiers patrolling the streets of Banjul. Apart from a statement asking people to remain calm without stating what had happened, there has been no official statement on the incident on that day.
In an interview with the Gambian president by GRTS’s Kebba Dibba on 31 December 2015 at State House in Banjul President Jammeh said contrary to media reports, the attack on State House in Banjul was not a coup attempt against his government, it was an attack by dissidents based in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The Gambian president exonerated the Gambia Armed Forces and described them as very loyal. He said as far as they are concerned there isn’t any single officer involved in the attack; that it cannot be called a military coup attempt. He added that these were soldiers who were dismissed from the army. President Jammeh alleged that all the weapons used or some of the materials used were made in the US. He emphasised again and again that it was not a coup attempt because a single Gambian soldier got involved in the attack.
The US Department of State has however issued a short statement condemning the 30 December 2014 armed attack on State House.
Three of the leaders are confirmed dead, namely, Ex Lt Colonel Lamin Sanneh, Njagga Jagne and Alhaji Nyass.
Escaped armed attackers flee to Guinea-Bissau?
A news agency (AFP) reports that four officers suspected of participating in an armed attack on Banjul on 30 December have taken refuge in Guinea-Bissau. The reporter indicated that he obtained the information from a military source in Guinea-Bissau yesterday (Thursday). They “arrived Wednesday evening in Bissau and turned themselves in to the (military) authorities,” the source in Bissau told AFP. “The source did not explain how the fugitives had reached Guinea-Bissau.
Gambian Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Cherno Njie, 8 others
The High Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Simeon A. Abi, has on April 8, 2015 issued arrest warrants for Cherno Njie and eight others who were all charged with multiple counts of treason, concealment of treason and offences relating to mutiny and aiding and abetting mutiny.Cherno M. Njie
Six Court Martial Convicts File Appeal
Though the president had said no member of the armed forces was involved in the December 30 insurrection, six military personnel were convicted by a Court Martial on 30 March 2015 and four of them were sentenced to death and/ or life imprisonment.
Four of the military personnel who were convicted and sentenced to death and / or life imprisonment appealed to the Banjul High court on 10th June, 2015, but the court struck out the appeal.
Justice Abi ruled that the appeal should have been filed at the Gambia Court of Appeal and not the Banjul High Court.
The appellants namely Private Modou Njie, Lieutenant Colonel Sarjo Jarju, Lieutenant Amadou Sowe, Lieutenant Buba Sanneh, were appealing against their conviction by the court martial.
Corpses of alleged insurgents placed under guard but later removed
The corpses linked to the 30 December 2014 insurgency were initially kept at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) mortuary in Banjul for months even after several unsuccessful appeals from some concerned families for them to be handed over for burial.
2015 the GAF Public Relation Officer in an interview on Thursday, 4 June, when asked why the corpses are still held under military guard, Lieutenant Malick Sanyang, the spokesperson of GAF, said “What I know and can confirm is that some of those who attacked state house got killed but I don’t know whether the corpses are held at the mortuary.”
Foroyaa later received information that the corpses were removed but neither the hospital authorities nor the armed forces would comment on this. Nonetheless the guards were no longer seen since Foroyaa received this report.
The corpse of Gosso, who was reported to have died during the attack on state house in Banjul on 30 DecemBakary Bojang, alias “Gosso”ber, 2014, was finally released to the family by the authorities for burial.
His corpse had been kept at the mortuary of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul for more than five months under armed guard.
Gambians in the US charged for their alleged role in an attempted coup in The Gambia
In a press release from the US Department of States for Justice issued on Monday January 5, 2015, two Defendants were charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Neutrality Act and Conspiracy to Possess Firearms in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence in the United States of America. They are Cherno Njie, 57, and Papa Faal, 46, for their role in a recent attempted coup in The Gambia.
Papa Faal who is a former US army sergeant pleaded guilty of involving in a failed coup attempt in the Gambia in December 2014.
On Wednesday, 18 March, 2015 in a Federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota, Banka Manneh was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony in connection to the 30 December State House Attack in Banjul.
He was jointly charged with Cherno Njie and Alagie Barrow for “Conspiracy to Make an Expedition against a friendly nation,” and “Conspiracy to Use a firearm during and in relation to crime of violence.”
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/9017 |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2016 : 21:11:27
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2015 IN BRIEF Appointments and Dismissals
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 21, 2016
Appointments and Dismissals
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. We now summarise the stories Neneh Macduol Gayerelating to appointments and dismissals of ministers and public servants.
NENEH MCDAOULL GAYE REAPPOINTED, SHERIFF BOJANG APPOINTED
President Jammeh on Tuesday, 6 January, 2015, effected a mini reshuffle of his cabinet effective from January 5, 2015 with Mrs Neneh Mcdouall Gaye bouncing back to the cabinet as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Mr. Bala Garba Jahumpa who has been moved to his former portfolio of Works, Construction and Infrastructure.
Mr. Sheriff Bojang, the proprietor and Editor in chief of the Standard Newspaper, was appointed as Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology.
This was the first reshuffle after the attack on the state house by insurgents on 30 December 2014.Garba Jahumpa Neneh Macdaoull Gaye S.Bojang
NYABALLY REPLACES BAYO, MAHONEY OUT
On Thursday, 8 January, 2015 in a press release, President Jammeh relieved the Secretary General and Minister of Presidential Affairs Dr. Kalilu Bayo of his duties with effect from the said date appointing Lamin Nyabally to replace Bayo.
In a similar vein President Jammeh relieved the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Basiru Mahoney of his duties with effect from Thursday, 8 January, 2015. The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Abubacarr Senghore was overseeing the ministry of justice until the appointment of Mama Fatima Singhateh as Justice Minister.Chief Justice
MAMA FATIMA SINGHATEH BACK AS JUSTICE MINISTER
It was announced over GRTS television on Tuesday 13 January, 2015 that Mama Fatima Singhateh has bounced back to the cabinet to occupy her former position as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Madam Singhateh was first appointed as Attorney General and Minister of Justice in August 2013 replacing Amie Joof. She wasMadam Singhateh later removed and replaced by Mr. Basiru Vasily Portier Mahoney, who was appointed last August and only sworn into office two days before his removal.
LAWYER MBOGE’S APPOINTMENT AS SOLICITOR GENERAL REVOKED THE SAME DAY
Senior Private legal practitioner Lamin K. Mboge on Wednesday, 14 January, 2015 confirmed to Foroyaa that it is true that he was appointed as Solicitor General at the Ministry of Justice; adding that his appointment was revoked on the same day he assumed office without advancing any reason for his removal.
ABDOU COLLEY REPLACES KEBBA TOURAY AS NEW FINANCE MINISTER
Mr Kebba Satou Touray, with effect from 16 March, 2015 was removed from his position as minister of finance and economic affairs. Similarly, Mr Abdou Colley was appointed as minister of finance and economic affairs, a position he held before under Abdou Kolley President Jammeh’s administration.
YANKUBA SONKO REPLACES WILSON AS NEW IGP
Mr. Benjamin Wilson, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has been removed from his position and replaced by Mr. Yankuba Sonko on Monday, 13 July, 2015 following his return from a trip.
According to the source, IGP Wilson was asked to do a handing over to Mr. Sonko, the new IGP, when he reported to his office IGP Sonkoupon arrival from a mission. The source could not advance any reason for the removal of the IGP from his position.
POLICE COMMISIONER TOURAY IN URR DISMISSED
The Commissioner of Police in URR, Lamin Touray, has been relieved of his position as the Commissioner of Police in URR. The reason for the dismissal of Senior Police Officer Touray in Basse is not known
Commissioner Touray was said to have spent more than 30 years with the Gambia Police Force as a constable, and then rose to the rank of commissioner serving in all regions of The Gambia.
BAKARY NYASSI REINSTATED AS GIA MD
Mr Bakary Nyassi, who was dismissed as Managing Director of the Gambia International Airlines was reinstated on Thursday, 10 September, 2015. He was arrested and detained at Brusubi Police Station on 19 August 2014 and on 21 October 2014 he was arraigned at Banjul Magistrates’ Court charged with six counts of economic crime and other charges. He was granted bail and the case was transferred to the high court but the case has been stalled for many months now.
Mr Nyassi takes over from Mr Ebrima Sallah who had been acting as Managing Director.
MAGISTRATE JAITEH REMOVED FROM JUDICIARY
Mr. Magistrate Ebrima Jaiteh, the then Magistrate of Brikama Magistrates Court was removed from the judiciary following his release from detention at the Police headquarters in Banjul.
When contacted for confirmation, Mr. Jaiteh on Monday evening, 16 November, 2015 told this reporter that he was asked out of the judiciary but no reason was indicated. “I was not told about the reason of my dismissal but I was told ‘thank you for your services you have been rendering’.”
Source: http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/9059
2015 IN BRIEF Appointments and Dismissals
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 22, 2016
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. We continue to summarise theOusman Jammeh stories relating to appointments and dismissals of ministers and public servants.
OUSMAN JAMMEH APPOINTED AS AGRIC PS
Mr Ousman Jammeh, the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, is now the new Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the information, Mr. Jammeh replaces Mr Ebrima Jawara who was removed on Friday, 6 February, 2015, from the position of Permanent Secretary number one at the ministry.
Mr Ousman Jammeh was later appointed as Deputy Minister of Agriculture on 8 July, 2015, a position he held till 15 October, 2015, when he was replaced by Mr. Ismaila Jammeh.
The resignation of Mr. Solomon Owens from his position as minister of agriculture was announced on 9 April, 2015. It was Solomond Owens announced that Mr Owens resigned because of health reasons. In response to Mr Owen’s resignation, it was indicated that the ministry of agriculture is now under the purview of the office of the president and that President Jammeh is now the minister of agriculture.
NEW APPOINTMENTS AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
Information received by this reporter has it that new appointments have taken place at the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to sources, Ousman Jammeh, who was until recently Permanent Secretary number one at the Agriculture Ministry, has now been appointed Deputy Minister, while Mr. Falalo Touray, the Coordinator of the Central Project Coordinating Unit, replaces Mr. Jammeh as PS 1.
When contacted on the issue, Ousman Jammeh confirmed the appointments and added that he was appointed as Deputy MinisterFalalo Touray of Agriculture with effect from the 8th July, 2015.
FURTHER CHANGES AT THE AGRIC MINISTRY
New changes have been effected at the top levels of the ministry of agriculture whose ‘deputy’ minister, Mr. Ousman Jammeh, was relieved of his post last week and subsequently detained.
Mr. Falalo Touray, who was Permanent Secretary number one until the removal of Mr. Jammeh, has now been redeployed to the position of head of the Central Project Coordinating Unit (CPCU) under the agriculture ministry. However, Falalo Touray was appointed Director General of the Department of Agriculture as from 27 October, 2015.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sait Drammeh, the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, was appointed as Permanent Secretary number one, replacing Mr. Touray, with effect from 15 October, 2015.
AKI BAYO REAPPOINTED AS MINISTER
GRTS television, on Tuesday night of 15 November, 2015, announced the reappointment of Mr Momodou Aki Bayo as Minister of Lands and Regional Government with effect from that day. Mr Bayo was relieved of his minister of Lands and Regional Momodou Aki BayoGovernment just 11 days before his re-appointment on December 4, 2015.
In the same vein, the president on that same day relieved Mr. Momodou Lamin Gibba of his position as Minister of Lands and Regional Government. He too was appointed on 4 December, 2015, to replace Mr Aki Bayo.
A NEW SECRETARY GENERAL APPOINTED
It was announced on November 23, 2015, in GRTS evening bulletin that Mr. Sulayman Samba has replaced Mr. Lamin Nyabally as Secretary General, head of the Civil Service and Minister responsible for Presidential Affairs.
Mr. Samba was the Deputy Secretary General prior to his recent appointment.
Mr. Nyabally was relieved of his previous positions but wass given a new portfolio as Minister of Fisheries with effect from 18 November, 2015.
According to a State House press release, MrIsmailaSanyang and Sulayman Samba were relieved of their cabinet posts asSulayman Samba ministers of agriculture and presidential affairs respectively with effect from Monday, 29 December, 2015.
The President has appointed Mr. Sheriffo Bojang as deputy minister of agriculture under the office of the President.
Source: http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/9087
2015 IN BRIEF THE ECONOMY
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 25, 2016
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. We continue to summarise the NEW CURRENCYstories relating to the economy.
 NEW CURRENCY BEARING PRESIDENT JAMMEH’S PICTURE ISSUED
The Central Bank of the Gambia (CBG) announced on Wednesday, 25 February 2015 that it had introduced new bank notes in all the denominations with the image of President Jammeh on them.The announcement also added that the existing bank notes will continue to be legal tender and in circulation until fully withdrawn overtime.
New denominations of D20 and D200 were introduced.
GAMBIA IMPOSES RESTRICTION ON FOREIGN CURRENCY EXPORT EXCEEDING US$10,000
A press release issued on 4 May, 2015 from the office of the president informs the general public of its grave concern regarding what it described as “the rapid depreciation of the Gambian Dalasi” against all international currencies, especially the US Dollar. This led the government to impose restrictions on Foreign Currency Export exceeding US$10,000. “No one is allowed to take Currency Export at USD 10,000more than 10,000 dollars without prior approval from the office of the president and anyone found violating this pronouncement will have his/her money forfeited to the state,” the release stated.
After the announcement on the restriction of foreign currency export, ForexBureaux and Banks in both Banjul and Kanifing Municipality, for five working days were not providing Western Union money transfer services to customers.
This was confirmed Monday, 18 May, 2015, when Foroyaa went round to the banks and forexbureaux where the Western Union money transfer transactions are offered.
DOMESTIC DEBT AT D20.7 BILLION- CBG
The Governor of Central of the Gambia, Amadou Colley, has said that the country’s domestic debt in the year to end-September 2015, rose to D20.7 billion (54.2 percent of GDP), or by 23.8 percent from a year earlier. Outstanding Treasury bills, which accounted for 69 percent of the domestic debt according to Governor Colley, increased by 4.4 percent whilst the stock of outstanding Sukuk AI Salaam (SAS) contracted by 11.2 percent. The Central Bank Governor was speaking on November 5 during CBG Governor Colleythe Monetary Policy Committee meeting held at the bank’s conference room in Banjul.
FINANCE MINISTER PRESENTS 2016 ESTIMATES
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. AbdouKolley, on Monday, 30 November, submitted for consideration and approval by the National Assembly the Estimates of Revenues, Recurrent and Development Expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2016.
On the fiscal deficit, MrKolley asserted that the fiscal deficit is expected to reach D3.6 billion or 9.6 per cent of GDP by end December 2015 and as a result, more than 50 per cent of the deficit is to be financed from domestic sources.
On Total Expenditure and Net-lending, Minister Kolley informed Deputies that it is projected to increase from D11.7 billion in 2015 to D16.91 billion in 2016. This represents an increase of 45 per cent, the bulk of which is attributed to the recurrent budget. Personnel Expenditures are projected to increase from D2.0 billion in 2015 to D2.2 billion in 2016.
On Debt Interest payment, he informed Deputies that it is projected to consume around 43 per cent of Government revenues inAbdou Kolley 2016 compared to 35 per cent in 2015, increasing from D2.8 billion in 2015 to D3.7 billion in 2016, representing an increase of 31 per cent.
CRUDE OIL PRICE SLUMPS
While fuel pump price increase in The Gambia
As the price of fuel has drastically reduced in the world from US$140 per barrel in July 2014 to about US$60 per barrel, the effect of this reduction is not being felt in The Gambia where the pump prices of petrol and diesel has been increasing.
According to media reports, the price of crude oil, from which petrol and diesel are extracted, is expected to fall further in the coming months.
In the Gambia the prices on 1st September 2014 were D58.52 per litre for petrol and D55.09 per litre for diesel. The price on 31 December 2015 was virtually the same while the world market price of crude oil had dropped by two thirds during the same period.
GROUNDNUT MARKETING STARTS LATE
The groundnut marketing season did not start till Thursday, 8th January 2015. Farmers lamented the late start of the trade season, adding that most of them had already sold a greater part of their produce to middlepersons or across the border in Senegal.
On the farm gate price this year, the farmers said it is pegged at GMD15, 250 (Gambian Dalasi) per metric ton and that this represents an increment of GMD750 on last year’s price which was pegged at GMD14,500.
Some of these farmers who spoke to Farmers’ Eye have disclosed that they were at the mercy of middlepersons who are buying their groundnuts at cut throat prices.
Farmers in both the North Bank and Central River regions revealed that the Gambia Groundnut Corporation (GGC) had signed an agreement with their Cooperative Marketing Societies (CPMS) since December 2014, but were late in receiving any communication from them.
Source: http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/9105 |
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2015 IN BRIEF PUBLIC SERVICES
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 27, 2016
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. We now summarise stories relating to the provision of services by public bodies. It is important to note that public service is not a privilege but a right enshrined in the Constitution. Indeed section 26(c) of the Constitution stipulates that every citizen of The Gambia has the right to have access to public service in The Gambia.
FERRY TARIFF INCREASES
Fares of the ferry plying the Banjul-Barra route have now been Passengers stampeding to enter the ferry increased from D15 to D25 as at 1 January, 2015.
This 60% increase was confirmed by of Gambia Ports Authority (GPA). Mr. Ansumana Gibba, the Public Relation Officer said that the 60% increase in the ferry tariff is due to the high cost of fuel, hydraulic oil and other operation costs.
6 MILLION EUROS SPENT ON REHABILITATION OF 2 FERRIES
The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), Mr. Ansumana Gibba, has said that Six Million Euros was spent on the rehabilitation of the Kanilai and Johe ferries.
Mr. Gibba said this in an interview at the GPA Shipyard in Banjul on Tuesday, 10 February 2015.
He said the Kanilai, which is one of the three ferries that ply the Banjul-Barra route, is still under maintenance at the Shipyard. The GPA PRO said the Six Million Euros included expenses on the
procurement of air balloon technology as well as the expatriate fees among other costs.
No. 2, 2015
GAMBIA SECURES $22.5 MILLION TO REPLACE ASBESTOS WATER PIPES
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Abdou Kolley, on Abdou Kolley Wednesday, 17 June, 2015, told the National Assembly that a credit finance instrument was signed with the Export-Import Bank of India on 29th October 2014 for an amount of US$22,500,000 to fund the project for the replacement of Asbestos water pipes with UPVC pipes in the Greater Banjul Area in Gambia.
He said currently NAWEC has a total distribution network of about 517 km of which about 45km are aged asbestos pipes, some of which were
laid 60 years ago with its health concerns for consuming water through them. He said they have proposed to change the entire water distribution and transmission networks having AC pipes throughout the country.
GRA TAKES OVER RENT, RATES COLLECTION FROM LOCAL COUNCILS
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), effective from 1 April 2015, took over the collection of rents and rates from the area and municipal councils.
Council officials told Foroyaa that an executive directive has authorised GRA to start collecting the rates and duties that used to be the work of the area and municipal councils with effective from the 1st of March 2015. They however added that the authority lacks the human resource on the ground to do the collection and as such it is the councils’ revenue collectors that are collecting the revenue on their behalf.
The council officials further stated that the revenue they are collecting will now be paid into an account that is controlled by the GRA and that the funds can only be accessed through requests made and authorization by the ministry of finance.
Foroyaa had received complaints that the implementation of this directive has resulted in salary arrears for council workers, lack of fuel for cleansing or garbage collection services, among other difficulties.
By June area and municipal councils had retaken revenue collection from the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) following an executive directive dated 8 June 2015.
FAJI KUNDA DUMOS RESIDENTS LAMENT THE LACK OF BASIC AMENITIES
In the month of March 2015, the residents of Faji Kunda Dumos made their voices heard on the difficulties they are having regarding access to water, consistent electricity and good roads in their community.
Faji Kunda Dumos is a densely populated outlying urban settlement in the Kanifing Municipality which is situated between Latrikunda Sabiji
off the main market junction and the swamps of the River Gambia. They complained of the poor electricity service in the area which, they said, goes out at 6am and comes on at 7pm every day for almost one year.
On access to portable water, they say the problem of inadequate taps in the area compell them to trek long distances in order to get clean water for drinking and cooking, adding they are sometimes denied access to these taps by the owners.
There is no designated area for garbage dumping and that the Municipal Council does not collect the waste generated by the households. She also cited the roads that are not motorable as the tarred road stops 700 metres from “Kaw” junction on the main Serekunda-Brikama Highway.
Another resident, Fatou lamented the lack of access to a market and health facility in their immediate locality, adding that the women have to walk for long distances before reaching the main Latrikunda Market and Faji Kunda Health Centre.
She cited the lack of proper sanitation, describing the place as “unsanitary , inaccessible by transport and inhabitable during the rains”.
She added that there is no nursery or primary school in the area and that they have to take their children all the way to schools in Latrikunda Sabiji and Abuko.
“The place which is prone to flood is the worst during the rainy season when the compounds inundate with water leading to collapse of mud brick houses,” said Kebba , a compound owner residing in the
area.
2015 IN BRIEF PUBLIC SERVICES
By Amie Sanneh
Foroyaa: January 28, 2016
We have been publishing a summary of the stories that we published in 2015. We continue to summarise stories relating to the provision of services by public bodies. It is important to note that public service is not a privilege but a right enshrined in the Constitution. Indeed section 26(c) of the Constitution stipulates that every citizen of The Gambia has the right to have access to public service in The Gambia.
APPLICANTS COMPLAIN ABOUT NON-ISSUANCE OF ID CARDS
In early July 2015 Foroyaa published complaints from the members of the public concerning the non-issuance of national identity cards (ID) to applicants for the two months in some places.
Alh.Cherno Ass Jagne, one of the affected applicants, showed his receipt of payment of D220 which was dated 2nd April 2015.
“After submitting my application with all the necessary documents on April 2, I was asked to collect it after six weeks. When I returned after this period, I was asked to come back the following week and that every time I go there they would ask me to come again until I finally told them that to contact me to come for it whenever it is ready,” explained Mr.Jagne.
Another complainant, OusmanNjie, explained that the Immigration officials at the GAMBIS ID Card issuing office in Kanifing had even refused to take his application and payment. He said they told him that they are not issuing the ID Cards now.
In fact this situation continued till the end of 2015.
VAN DRIVERS CALL FOR REHABILITATION OF BANJUL ROADS
The commercial drivers of passenger vans did call again to the authorities to help during the rainy season to rehabilitate Primet Street, their main access route to the capital city, in order to prolong the lifespan of their vehicles.Intersection along the Coastal Road
This appeal was made in an interview with some drivers after the heavy downpour during the rainy season.
A van driver complained that it is always very difficult for him to enter Banjul when it rains as the roads, especially Primet Street, submerge in water and thus making it dangerous to navigate one’s way. “It is unmotorable when it rains,” he said.
He said the Banjul garage committee has been coming up with temporal measures such as filling the large craters and potholes in the street with stones and broken cement block pieces.
“We are appealing to the City Council to help in leveling Primet Street and some areas at the car park in order to eliminate the potholes and stagnant water and save our vehicles,” he said.
Omar Ceesay, the president of the car park committee, said their main worry is during the rainy season when some parts of the car park are virtually inaccessible because of the stagnant water.
When the concerns of the drivers were raised with the Mr. Abdoulie Bah, the Mayor of Banjul, he said that they have plans to address them, adding that the Council is also working hand in hand with the works ministry to ensure that there is a lasting solution for Primet Street.
BANJUL SEWAGE, ROADS NEED URGENT ATTENTION FROM GOVERNMENT
MuhammedNdow, a resident of the capital city of Banjul, called on the Gambia Government to address the deplorable state of the sewage system and major roads which, he said, need urgent attention to make life and movement easy for both the inhabitants and visitors alike.
He said these two issues are of major concern to the people living in Banjul but that because of the “culture of silence, we are not speaking up for them to be addressed”.
On the sewage, he said the system is in bad state and often releases waste water onto the streets which emits unbearable stench and poses a threat to the health of the people.
He added that in addition to the unimpressive physical appearance of the country’s capital city, the poor condition of the roads also affect economic activity and the free movement of people.
He also talked about the muddiness of the main streets such as Primet Street and the unfinished works at Box Road which, he said, has been under construction for many years now.
NEMAKUNKU RESIDENTS DECLARE ROAD CONDITIONS A ‘STATE OF EMERGENCY’
The disturbed residents of Nemakunku, a settlement in Kombo North District, West Coast Region, have lamented their poor road conditions for commercial vehicles to have access to transport passengers when it rains.
They have urgently called on the government and relevant stakeholders to come to their rescue. When heavy rain falls, the terrible road conditions make it seemingly impossible for not just passers-by and taxies but even bigger vehicles like vans to use the road. This situation prompted the commuters of the area to raise up their voice and seek for any form of NEMAKUNKUassistance in order to make transportation easy for the residents especially women and children. It affects mainly residents from JolaKunda, Koign Bi, NemaMisira and Nemasu (the new settlement between Nemakunku and Sukuta).
MariamaKujabi, believed to be in her 50s, told this paper that rainy season who she sells vegetables at the Latrikunda Market said vehicles used to run until 9pm but that now that has changed as they stop working as soon as it rains. She said that even though the place she lives is very far from the market and her load is very sometimes, “I load it on my head and walk up to my home,” she narrated.
One ModouLaminDaffeh, a classroom teacher, expressed how difficult is it to go to school in the morning when it rains at night. He said on certain areas, water levels sometimes rise as high as one meters. “As a result of this, only able bodied men and women can easily cross this. It is very dangerous for children, older men and women or pregnant women as certain portions of the roads are water ways and that the running water flows turbulently sometimes,” he sadly said.
Lamin F.S Drammeh, a youth leader, said “The road conditions of Nema are in a state of emergency. When heavy rain falls, there is no way that one can have an easy access out. Imagine what will happen if a pregnant women is badly in need of urgent medical attention and there is no vehicle around? Even to have a town trip is a problem. Drivers usually charge an unreasonable amount of money banking on the fact that they may get stuck and stranded on the way,” he said.
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2015 IN BRIEF
