The Untold Story About The Newly Inaugurated Trans - Gambia Bridge. (Part. 131)

The last time I checked it was in 1976; that former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara proposed to kick-off the building of a bridge between YelliTenda - Bamba Tenda and named it the Trans-Gambia Bridge with a length of 1.9 kilometres.

On 11 November 2014, the said project was officially signed, a contract awarded to two companies: JV Corsan Corvian of Spain and Arezki S. A. of Senegal, which was expected to last 36 months, according to the contract agreement.

Readers could recall that on Friday 20 February 2015 the then Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy under Jammeh’s administration and Senegalese Prime Minister Momodou Dionne laid the foundation stone for the commencement of the construction of the Trans-Gambia Bridge at the YelliTenda - Bamba Tenda.

The project is being financed by the African Development Fund (ADF) with a grant to the Gambia of Unit of Account UA 63.55 million equivalent to D4 billion, aimed at reinforcing the economic cooperation and integration between the Gambia and Senegal and ECOWAS community as a whole. (the Point, 2015).

Besides, the ECOWAS Protocol on the Free Movement of People and Goods ensures free mobility of the community citizens i.e. citizens of member states. The Protocol on free movement conferred on Community citizens the right to enter and reside in the territory of any member state, provided they possessed a valid travel document and international health certificate.

Surprisingly, a press release issued on 17 January 2019 by the Ministry of Transport, Works, & Infrastructure has it that the Trans-Gambia bridge will be open to light traffic effective, January 2019 and not Minibus, Bus, not exceeding 35 Passengers. The release also added, ‘‘The above Vehicle categories allowed and prescribed time to use the bridge will be maintained until July 2019, when all ancillary works on the bridge and access roads are completed’’.

The question is why should be an incomplete bridge be inaugurated considering the risk involved when an accident occurs. On a similar note a $10 million Chinese-built Bridge in western Kenya, personally commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta, has collapsed. At least 27 workers were injured when the bridge broke on Monday 26 June 2017. The collapse occurred less than two weeks after President Kenyatta visited the site as part of a campaign tour before general elections in August 2017.

In Turkey on December 2017, the bridge which cost 100 million Turkish Liras and has been under construction since 2013, collapsed just as the final sections were being built. Nearly 200 construction workers on the site witnessed one-eighth of the bridge collapse at its final phases.

Could the immature inauguration of the bridge have to do with Senegal’s Presidential elections which will be held on 24 February 2019? Ahead of the election, two opposition leaders Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade were barred from participating because of convictions for misuse of public funds. The country's Constitutional Court has preliminarily authorised five candidates, including incumbent president Macky Sall who was present at the inauguration of the said Bridge.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

Does The Janneh Commission Have The Legal Mandate To Sell off Jammeh’s Assets?

Readers could recall that during the 22 years Jammeh’s brutal rule, corruption and nepotism were the order of the day. Jammeh who now lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea under the leadership of Teodoro Obiang after been defeated during the December 2016 polls to the Coalition led by Adama Barrow. Jammeh initially accepted defeat but days later he took a U-turn back which warrant an ECOWAS deployment to oust him but was later averted due to the high presence of the regional forces.

On Thursday, July 13, 2017 President Adama Barrow, the Commander In Chief presided over the swearing-in of four members of the established Janneh Commission of Inquiry with a mandate, to act on the financial activities of public bodies, enterprises and offices as regards to their dealings with former President, Yahya Jammeh who ruled from 1994 to 2016.

The establishment of the said Janneh Commission of Inquiry was in line with Section 200 (1) of the 1997 Constitution of Republic of The Gambia. This empowers the president to constitute a Commission of Inquiry and appoint one or more Commissioners to make inquiry for the public good. The National Assembly may also request the President to establish a Commission of Inquiry if need be.

Furthermore, Section 202 (1) empowers a Commission of Inquiry to:

“(a) Make a full and impartial investigation into the matter in respect of which the Commission is established; and

(b) Furnish in writing a report on the results of the inquiry, including a statement of the reasons leading to the conclusions of the Commission.”

Additionally, Section 203 highlighted that “On receipt of the report of a Commission of Inquiry;

(a) The President shall within six months publish the report and his or her comments on the report, together with a statement of any action taken, or the reason for not taking action.

Surprisingly, a public notice on the Point Newspaper on its 10 January 2018 publications reads; the general public is hereby informed that the Commission of Inquiry into the Financial Dealings, Assets, etc of ex-President Yaya A.J.J. Jammeh. Family Members and Close Associates will commence the auction of trucks and other vehicles.

Good governance with good intentions is the hallmark of our government. Implementation with integrity is our core passion. (Narendra Modi).

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

Most MoH&SW Staff Cried Upon Hearing The Redeployment Of Its Health Promotion Director

Modou Njai

In July 2012 MoH&SW created the Directorate of Health Promotion and Education with the following components namely: Non-Communicable Diseases Unit including Tobacco and road traffic injury prevention and control; School Health Unit, Nutrition Unit; Health Communication Unit including Community-based Information Education and Communication (IEC)/Behavior Change Communication (BCC); Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Unit including hygiene promotion and education and Population Health.

Readers could recall that news was published on the Freedom newspaper on December 19, 2018, captioned ‘‘an insider at the Ministry of Health claimed that there is blatant nepotism at the ministry, headed by Dr Isatou Touray’’.

On January 7, 2019, Modou Njai wrote on his Facebook timeline that; ‘‘I wish to Inform you that I am no longer the Director of Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare following my recent redeployment to the Regional Health Team in Farafenni. It was indeed a sorrowful moment today at the handing over ceremony of a Directorate I established with the support of dedicated and committed staff paid farewell to me. I say a big thanks to the entire staff of the Directorate of Health Promotion and Education for support from June 2012 to now. It was indeed an honour working with all of you in promoting health and development’’.

The said post was received with mix feelings among the staff and many sovereign citizens who know the hardworking Director Njai in his role and effort for a better healthcare system in the Republic of The Gambia. 

Furthermore, sources close to the corridors of MoH&SW revealed that under his dynamic and visionary leadership. Developed a National Health Promotion and Education Policy (2013-2020); Developed and finalized a National Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy (2013-2018); Established linkages with the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA) to fight tobacco consumption in The Gambia; Conducted the review of sectoral policies to include NCDs and developed a situational analysis report on Social Determinants of Health with stakeholders; Developed, pre-tested and produced communication support materials on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in collaboration with HepDO during the implementation of hygiene promotion and education component of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project; A total of 7306 Village Development Committee (VDCs) members from 912 communities across the country had an in-depth training on Ebola preparedness and response, and were engaged in the orientation of their community members.

Dr Omar Sey

‘‘If there is anyone's life that you have impacted or changed it's mine. Director Modou Njai I am grateful to you for all the support you have given me for the past four years. You and the former Minister of Health honourable Omar Sey saved me from all the harassment I faced in the field as a junior female Public Health Officer. You guys are heroes and great men that the Ministry of Health will ever have. You accepted me in the Directorate, motivated, groomed and exposed me to many if not all public Health functions. I am proud to have known and worked with you. I hope and pray that the blessings of Allah will visit u soon. Said’’, Jallow

Fatou a Staff at the MoH&SW too wrote. Good luck Njai. I am confident that where ever you are your present will be felt by everybody. You have created leaders who will hopefully sustain the directorate. We are blessed to have you in our region and we wish you all the best.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

‘‘The Barrow Administration Should Protect The Rights of The Christian Communities’’

Readers could recall that Foroyaa, June 7, 2018 publication has it that. ‘‘According to reports, a young villager who belongs to the Christian faith, died and was to be buried in the Christian cemetery; that some people refuse family members of the deceased to bury their loved one at the cemetery because the land where the Christian cemetery is located is said to belong to one Seedy Barrow of Gunjur village; that Seedy deliberately decided to seize the whole land area which included the graveyard’’.

It was narrated by members of the Christian community in Teneneh that, they were burying their deaths in the said plot of land for almost 50 years. Besides, any outsider claiming ownership of the 50 years Land will violate the 1997 Land Acts of the Republic of The Gambia which stated that no single Gambian should claim ownership of land which he never built or used as Agriculture purposes for the past 12 years.

A letter signed on December 29, 2018, by Momodou Bojang, head Chief of Kombo Nort District addressed to Pastor Robert Mendy requesting for him to appear before the District Tribunal. Which reads; By virtue of the powers vested on the Kombo North District Authority/Tribunal, you are hereby commanded in the name of the Republic of The Gambia, to appear before the Kombo North District Authority/Tribunal for a dispute resolution over a piece of land within the jurisdiction of the Kombo North District Authority/Tribunal in which your name has been mentioned as a vested claimant.

‘‘The issue has to do with the graveyard which is in use by the Christian community in Younna for over 40 years. In which our ancestors were buried up to date it is the cemetery we bury our corpse. Surprisingly, we were asked to reduce its size. Besides reducing the cemetery size as proposed can have an impact in the future considering the population growth’’. Said, Pastor Robert.

Of recent Fala bigot the unusual, this is an old Manjago community in Kombo south kilometer from Sanyang Village. It is believed that they were given their settlement by the people of Sanyang many years ago. Due to swine production, they have to settle far from the Muslim communities for a better society. The said Manjago Christian communities are facing hostility by the land grabbers from the area. The community members are asked to vacate their over 50 year’s village because some people claim the lands were given to them by their grandparents and now they are reclaiming it. (Omar, 2019)

It is very sad to see the minority being suppressed and subjected to all kind of inhumane and immorality pain in The Gambia that belongs to all religions, tribe, race and gender. The above mentioned have been aggravated by politics. It is sad to say that but most politicians either publicly or privately try to encourage tribal sentiments for their own self-centered interests.

The buck stops with the government. They make the laws and introduce regulations that should ensure this kind of thing does not happen. If there is proper legislation introduced which covers every possible eventuality, it will ensure that no loophole exists to be exploited by anybody. (The Point, 2012).

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

Is The First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow Above The Law?

Readers could recall that an egg was once broken by the Fatu Network, alleged that the first Lady Madam Fatoumatta Bah Barrow’s Foundation was involved in a corruption scandal as per the famous D35 Million which was said to be transferred by an unknown person/entity.

The news triggered an uprising of various Activist, campaigners and sovereign citizens. As a result, one of the leading Activist Awa Sisay initiated a campaign against the aforementioned scandal “Fatoumatta Kodoo Lay” and that gathered the attention of so many patriots across the length and breadth of our dear motherland The Gambia. In solidarity to Activist Ceesay’s initiative, a lot of nationalists expressed their total disappointment and dissatisfaction beyond human imagination with FABB’s alleged corruption scandal. The Activism revolution rises in the quest to find answers as per the alleged D35 Million.

On a similar note, the Managing Director of Social Security Housing Finance Corporation, Mr Muhammed Manjang, was accused by the staff of the corporation for corruption, abuse of office, and nepotism. This followed a petition they filed earlier last year to the then PAC/PEC committees of the National Assembly among other relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, Manjang was asked to go on leave as the standoff between him and some staff of the corporation falls under Presidential Investigation to look into the claims against him for a better Gambia we want.

Surprisingly enough, no commission of enquiry was made public as opposed to SSHFC regarding the famous, mysterious and untold D35 Million found in FABB’s account. Besides, Section 200 (1) of the 1997 Constitution empowers the President to constitute a Commission of Inquiry and appoint one or more Commissioners to make inquiry for the public good. The National Assembly may also request the President to establish a Commission of Inquiry if need be.

Meanwhile, according to the 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. The Gambia is the 130 least corrupt nations out of 175 countries. Corruption Rank in the Gambia averaged 115.80 from 2003 until 2017, reaching an all-time high of 158 in 2008 and a record low of 77 in 2011. Corruption is a major disease that is affecting the progress of the New Gambia. All stakeholders should put hands on deck to help eradicate corruption as far beyond Pluto. Furthermore, the Gambia belongs to Gambians both at home and abroad. Therefore, in speaking, we can make our motherland great.

Leadership is undoubtedly the ability to influence and lead by example. Besides, a rule for one should be a rule for all in the strive for rebuilding the New Gambia we want, that would one day be the last place of hope on earth.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist

Prof.jarjou@gmail.com

An Open Letter To The Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Dr Isatou Touray (Part.1)

I write to remind you of your appointment by President Adama Barrow, the Commander In Chief as Minister during his Cabinet reshuffled effective Friday, June 29th 2018 to spearhead the affairs of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

It is true that it’s only been a few months since you have taken over your new duties for a better health sector we want. As a stakeholder in the health sector, I can only appreciate how full your plate is. Unfortunately, I am writing this open letter to you to expose to you certain realities that sovereign citizens of The Gambia are confronted with which you might not be aware of.

Honourable Minister, I am heartened by the appointment of a superstar with your understanding as a health minister. By now, you will have settled in, been brought up to speed by ministry officials and learned how Cabinet sets priorities and policies. Furthermore, I am totally disappointed that the recent budget did not stress health as a major concern. I hope that the health of Gambians remains a priority for the Barrow led Administration.

The last time I checked the Health Sector under your watch is facing massive challenges beyond imagination. Over the past few months, we have heard that services are not effective as expected and citizens are struggling to get the essential health and care support that they need due to the inadequate medicines and facilities at the Hospitals across. This resulted for people especially the rich to go to private clinics for medication.

Honourable Minister, I don’t mean to be disrespectful in my this open letter but I submit to you that, we the poor citizens take our families to the public hospital without facilities and proper care while those of you at the climax whom we voted for, to protect and improve our health care facilities take your families to the private clinics. Health should be a priority of the Barrow led Administration as a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

Please note that in the 21st Century inaccessibility to health care is a violation of human right. We cannot achieve a free zone disease country until and unless we take in charge of our health sector and pump into the required resources needed. We cannot continue to rely on Aid and Grant to improve our health sector.

Honourable Minister, you could recall that 129 Gambian doctors have gone on a sit-down strike some months ago following comments made by your predecessor Safie Lowe-Ceesay who accused them of corruption a comment that did not go well with the said doctors.

I will advise you to work closely with your staff to avoid another strike in order to stay long in that ministerial hot seat. Especially, to formulate plans, strategies and policies for a better Health Sector we want as per the National Development Plan championed by President Barrow.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Blogger/Political Activist

‘‘MP's Who Voted For The Unconstitutional SAB Commits An Offence Of Treason’’

The last time I checked the most talked Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAB) tabled by Mamburay Njie, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs in December is a violation and unconstitutional as described in section 154 (1) and (2) of the 1997 Constitution of The Republic of The Gambia.

The question is where did Speaker Denton have the power to vote on the said SAB that was controversially passed by the National Assembly on December 14? The Speaker who is a trained legal person should abstain from bringing harm. Voting in the National Assembly; Section 106 reads;

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, any matter proposed for decision in the National assembly shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting.

(2) The person presiding in the National Assembly shall have neither an original nor a casting vote and if on any question before the National Assembly the votes are equally divided, the motion shall be deemed to have been rejected

Readers could recall that Halifa Sallah and Co. did not participate in the voting process of the said SAB. Besides, the issue is the SAB tabled by the Minister of Finance itself is illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, it will be a crime to participate in a process that is totally unconstitutional and against the public finance Act and the Constitution as stated in Section 6 (A) and (B), which reads;

"Any person who by himself or herself or in concert with others, by any violent or other unlawful means, suspends or overthrown or abrogates this Constitution or any part of it, or attempts to do any such act; or

(B) Aids and abets in any manner any person referred to in paragraph

(A) Commits the offence of treason and shall, on conviction, be liable to the prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly for that offence.

If National Assembly Members can hijack the Constitution, then that tells a lot is urgently needed for a better Gambia we want. Until and unless we realize the significance of good governance our Nation will perish.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Blogger/Political Activist