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The Banjul Post, 9 Kairaba Avenue, Kanifing, Banjul (2024)

24/10/2024

Statement Regarding Recent Testimony at the Commission - HABIB ML CEESAY

As the Councillor for New Jeshwang Ebotown, I wish to address certain issues surrounding my recent testimony to the commission related to events that transpired six years ago. It is vital to clarify the inaccuracies in my previous statements, as I have the right, like any other witness, to amend my statement before I adopt it as sworn testimony after having reviewed it.

In my earlier statement, I erroneously asserted that the Mayor had brought the matter of Nurudeen Adams and Isha Faal to our Establishment meetings. I must correct this: the Mayor is not a member of the Establishment Committee and has never attended any of our meetings. This mistake was significant, and I acknowledge that providing accurate information is essential for the integrity of the commission's work.

Additionally, I noted that there were transcription errors, including a misreference to "Old Jeshwang" instead of "New Jeshwang." While I appreciate the efforts of the commission and its staff, it is important that such inaccuracies are addressed promptly to ensure clarity in our proceedings.

However, when I attempted to amend my statement regarding the Mayor's involvement, I felt a resistance from the commission that was unexpected and disheartening. It appeared as though there was an unwillingness to accept my correction, which raises concerns about the commission's openness to honest discourse. This has made it challenging to engage in a constructive manner, particularly given that I had not returned to review my statement until the day before my latest testimony.

Furthermore, I find it troubling that discussions surrounding Talib Bensouda seem to attract unpleasant reactions from members of the commission. As a professional, I am committed to acting with integrity and transparency. My efforts to correct my earlier inaccuracies should be viewed not as an attempt to undermine the commission but as a responsible action grounded in the pursuit of truth.

In a society where unbiased judgment prevails, those who uphold the principles of honesty and accountability should be celebrated, not dismissed. Correcting a prior statement is not an indication of dishonesty; rather, it reflects a dedication to presenting the facts as they are. I hope that moving forward, we can foster an environment that values transparency and encourages all participants to engage openly and professionally.
individuals who uphold the truth should be supported, and corrections should not be misconstrued as falsehoods but rather as a commitment to factual accuracy.

Habib ML Ceesay
Cllr new jeshwang
Ebo Town

28/07/2024

Gambia President Adama Barrow threatens to killed the main opposition leader of the United Democratic Party at his rally in Brikama

23/03/2024

The National Assembly’s Petition Committee, led by Hon. Suwaibou Touray, conducted a thorough investigation and found evidence that supports the allegations against former Minister of Tourism and Culture Hamat N K Bah for interfering with allocating prime lands within the designated tourism development area.

After tabling its findings before parliament last week, the petitions committee exposed how the previous minister in charge of tourism personally granted exemptions on payments meant for state coffers by foreign companies like Kaijaung Holdings Ltd, the priority leisure group, and MOAB, among others. Thus, the government was denied much-needed finances through the GTBoard.

The Committee advised the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) to oversee the establishment of an independent commission to investigate land allocation to investors in TDA since 2017. A quantity surveyor should be appointed to review project applications, advise on the total investment quoted, and ensure accurate costing based on land size.

The Committee further advised FPAC to conduct thorough research and compile a comprehensive report on the revenues obtained from the levies, including how they were used.

It has also been established that the Honourable Minister has been interfering in the allocation of land within the TDA and has been giving directives to the director general to implement contain intervention, which has caused the GTBoard to lose revenue in the allocation of prime lands in the TDA as the Honourable Minister waived some revenues that the Board should have collected for no justified reasons,” NA Petition Committee highlighted in its Report before Deputies.

“The following are some of the interferences of the Honourable Minister that have cost the GTBoard some lost in revenue: waiving of 3% of the 5% levy that Kaijiang Holding Group Ltd. A letter was received from MoTC to GTBoard directing that 2% of the $750 000 should be taken as a TDA deposit fee from the investor and waiving the 3% levy. This means the GTBoard will only receive $ 300,000 and stand to lose $ 450,000. The Cabinet approved this 5% levy, and if there should be only a reduction on the rates for any investor, it should be tabled at the Cabinet, which we doubt was the case in this matter,” the reports say.

The Petition Committee also uncovered that Hon. Hamat N K Bah has also interfered in the allocation of another prime land within the TDA to MOAB Capital Investors, who were supposed to pay $200 000 as a 5% TDA deposit, revealing that this deposit has never been paid even though their lease document was issued contradicting the land allocation process.

The Priority Leisure Group of investors needs to be reviewed in terms of payment for the 5% levy as the total cost of investment amounting to D27.5 million, which is seen to be below the amount to pay the levy, which is causing the GT Board to lose revenue. This company should be investigated more for the fact that the list of the shareholders as per the requirement was not indicated and was allocated an enormous land measuring 107m x 75m x 42m x 47m x 76m at the center of the TDA(prime land)at the Duplex area.” NA Petition Committee further disclosed in its Report

The Report seen by TAT indicates: “The transaction involving this company also involves a relative (daughter) who participated in the board meeting during this process. More investigation is needed on the land issued to MOAB Capita Ltd. The investor acquired a lease before paying the 5% levy, which was only paid after the petition. If the petition was not done, the GT Board may not have received the $200,000 development levy.”

The Committee further recommended that the Cabinet should set up a Lands Committee that will include the following sectors: GT Board, Lands Office, National Environment Agency, and Geology Unit, to ensure that allocation of land in the TDA is adequately vetted to avoid duplication and ensure sectoral collaboration, adding that the Select Committee on Regional Government, Lands, Ombudsman and IEC and the Select Committee on Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports should monitor this and report back to the Assembly within six months.

“As per the cabinet approval of the 5% development levy, the Minister of Tourism and Culture should not have the discretion to waive the levy for any investor. The Governing Body should make all land allocations, not the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. If there needs to be any waiver, the Governing Body must engage in a cost-benefit analysis and justify further approval by Cabinet,” the NA Petition Committee submitted.

The Alkamba Times

23/03/2024

BRIKAMA AREA COUNCIL Used to spend over D12 Million Dalasi on fuel every year.

Sulayman Barry, a Principal Internal Auditor at the Council stated that they spent over D1 Million Dalasi each month on fuel purchase.

Auditor Barry who appeared before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, said there was a day when Ninety-Nine Thousand Dalasi (D99,000) was spent on fuel in one day.

"The fuel supply is at the discretion of the CEO,” Sulayman Barry stated.

Highlighting the powers of the former CEO [Jonga] who he said would decide on issues and fuel supply at the Council’s general meetings.

“The CEO is extremely powerful,” the witness said.

Barry explained that the Council has a “budget line” for fuel, but added that non-council vehicles were also supplied.

“The amount of money used to supply the Council fuel was exorbitant. These purchases are unjustifiable,” he asserted.

The BAC Principal Internal Auditor said the Council has about twelve (12) vehicles and some of the trucks were not working.

“Most of the time we overspend,” the witness said.

“Is there a possibility of spending over 12 Million [Dalasi] in a year on fuel,” asked Chairperson Jainaba Bah.

“Yes,” the witness answered.

The witness said about 90% of the transactions of the Council did not follow due process.

Note: This transactions occured during the term of former Chairman Sheriffo Sonko.

The Watch Gambia

22/03/2024

PRESS RELEASE: Ex President Abdoulaye Wade's PDS Endorses The Diomaye Faye Coalition

My dear compatriots,
The support of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) was requested by most of the candidates competing in the presidential election after the scandalous elimination of our candidate, Karim Wade, by the Constitutional Council, a decision which deeply revolted us.
We are at a pivotal moment in our history where today's votes define the landscape of our shared future.

Given the current situation, the PDS has the imperative duty to take a position.
The idea that a State can be confiscated to serve private and selfish interests is
deeply intolerable.

In this spirit of responsibility towards our homeland, and with the unwavering desire to defend the principles of our democracy and the integrity of our Republic, our political party has chosen to provide its full support to the Diomaye Faye Coalition for the presidential election of next Sunday.

I am convinced that renewing the rule of law and guaranteeing a fully independent justice system is essential to building a prosperous and just Senegal. The Diomaye Faye Coalition has made firm commitments in these areas.

I appeal to all Senegalese, without distinction, to join us in this march towards a renewed Senegal. A Senegal where every citizen will be guaranteed their fundamental rights and the State will genuinely fulfil its role as protector of the common good.

We must mobilise for a victory which will symbolise the aspiration of an entire people for governance based on morality, ethics and inclusiveness.

Aware of the crucial issues of preserving our democratic achievements and attached to the constant quest for the well-being of the Senegalese for whom I have fought throughout my life, I invite you to vote in the first round with conviction for the Diomaye Faye Coalition.

Pala Dakar, 1023 mun 34
Secretary-General
Master Abdoulie WADE!

20/03/2024

BANJUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BIA) WHISTLEBLOWS EXPOSE GCAA'S and THE INTERIOR MINISTRY FAILURE OF THEIR SUPERVISORY AND REGULATORY DUTIES!

A BIA Whistleblower reached out to OPEN GAMBIA to expose the failure of Gambia Civil Aviation Authorities to carry out its regulator duty effectively to protect the safety and security of the BIA operations.
The whistleblowers provided correspondence letters from stakeholders as evidence (attached to this article) to support their claims of neglect and alleged corruption that caused SICASS to operate without a required licence; this foreign company operates within a security framework, failing to register as a private security service provider/ company as required by law and regulations set at the BIA.

Still, we are made to understand that SICASS has failed to comply with the law to register as a Private Security Company even after the Interior Ministry sent them a letter that was copied to all stakeholders emphasising that “ the concession with GCAA to perform operational, supervisory services and the contractual agreements entered into with the said airlines should have been preceded by registration as a private security service provider/company in The Gambia. In other words, S.I.C.A.S.S should have been registered first as a private security service provider/company before the concession and contractual agreements with GCAA and the airlines, respectively”.

The letter signed by Permanent Secretary Ismael Danso continues to state that “In light of the above, this Ministry at this moment ask that you regularise your status by registering as a private security service provider/company as soon as possible. Failure to do so will compel the Ministry to take necessary actions as prescribed under the relevant section of the Private Security Act 2011”.

Why is SICACSS-Gambia failing to comply with laws and regulations governing the operations of Security Service Providers at BIA?

Why is the GCAA not enforcing its regulatory powers to ensure SICASS-Gambia comply with operational security and Safety regulations?

Why is the Interior Ministry not enforcing actions prescribed under the relevant section of the Private Security Act 2011?

Are all these regulatory stakeholders failing their duty due to the alleged corruption practice levied against them?

PLEASE READ THE VERBATIM INFORMATION BELOW PROVIDED BY THE BIA WHISTLE-BLOWERS:

Today, I am talking about SICASS - Gambia, a foreign private company operating as a Passenger Profiling Company at Banjul International Airport for more than ten years, supposedly without paying incorporated tax to the Gambian government. All these happen because they are backed by senior officers in Banjul International Airport, including the Ministry of Transport themselves. SICASS-Gambia is a French-owned company, and its Country Manager, Daniel Mbome, is a Cameroonian National who has no respect for his Gambian counterparts.

SICAAS cannot operate as an airline security company because they don’t meet the requirements of the Gambian laws but is very well backed by the Gambia Civil Aviation, especially the Director General Nfansu Bojang, who’s allowing the SICASS-Gambia to operate even though not qualified because he has vested interest with the company.

SICASS employ and dismisses their staff anyway, without following the due process, and nothing comes out of it; staff will work overtime without payments, and if you complain to the management, you are being dismissed.

SICASS agents once plotted a strike to demand an increase in their salaries and overtime payments, which was agreed upon by the whole team. Still, later, some agents pulled out the ones who stood their ground and continued the demonstration; later, all of them were issued suspension letters from the country manager. They were handed over to the then Commissioner of Police at the airport, who supported SICASS. From suspension, later to dismissal, endorsed by Kemo Jeng, Civil Aviation Security manager and his senior mates.

To my notice, the Ministry of Interior once wrote to SICASS and the Gambia Civil Aviation, informing them that they should register as an airline security company. If not, they would be asked for closure, but guess what? As the SICASS country manager, Daniel Mbome knows most of these senior guys working in the Gambian government all went to avail.

Why is the Gambian government supporting outsiders operating illegally in our country and making a lot of millions back to their countries? Our senior officials are failing us a lot because of their selfish interests.

It has come to my notice that a senior instructor at Banjul International Airport and a former security manager decided to resign from his work after 20-plus years of service and open up an airline security company, a Gambian citizen for that matter and employed all those agents SICASS dismissed.

After two years, registered and licensed airline Security Company AFRO-EURO AIRLINE SECURITY SERVICES is the best and most standard Airline Security Company in BIA in partnership with GIA, the only national ground handling company.

Let us support our Gambians as every interest remains different from the foreigners.
To our greedy and selfish high-ranked officers, stop discriminating against our beloved country and do the right thing because, remember, one day, you will be judged for all the wrongdoings you do while in office.
Ya Allah, grant us understanding!!!
Wasalam.

Your support means the world to us! Please follow our page to keep up with our latest posts, and don't forget to hit that like button and share our content with your friends. Thank you for being a part of the OPEN GAMBIA PLATFORM community! Article contributed by ANON 20/03/2024!

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20/03/2024

The number of cases of Nigerian Nollywood veteran stars begging for financial assistance from the general public to fund medical expenses keeps growing.The latest case involves actor Amaechi Muonagor who is asking for financial support online to undergo a kidney transplant in India. The news comes as Nigerians are still mourning the death of Nollywood star John Okafor, better known as Ibu, who also needed medical help he could not afford alone. Why are Nollywood veteran stars finding themselves in this situation? And what can future stars learn from this predicament?

17/03/2024

Part Time Lecturers/Trainers Needed.

Kairaba centre of Professional Training is looking for part time Trainers with NAQAA license to trained in the following areas.

1. Public Administration and Management

2. International Relations

3. Social Work and Community Development

Interested applicants should send the copies of their CV and NAQAA license through this email: [email protected] and the dateline of submission is 1st April 2024.

The salary is very attractive.

25/02/2024

Senegalese Should Have Gone to Polls Today!

Today is a sad day indeed for not only Senegal but also indeed for the West Africa region and thereby for Africa as a whole that the people of Senegal cannot go to voting booths to elect their next president. It is indeed not only a blow to democracy and good governance in Africa but even more miserable is that only one person, Macky Sall has held the people of Senegal hostage for his own selfish interests. The decision by Pres. Macky Sall to postpone the election unilaterally and illegally is a direct insult to the sovereignty of the people of Senegal and a shameful mockery of democracy for which Senegalese people fought so hard to secure for themselves.

For this reason, today is indeed a day of infamy for which all West Africans must feel remorseful as the voice and will of the people are being sacrificed on the altar of greed and selfishness by people in whom citizens bestowed their trust. But as we lament the undemocratic action of Pres. Macky Sall and his collaborators in the Senegalese National Assembly, we cannot fail to also notice the grossly poor leadership demonstrated by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, the ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Parliament combined. The situation in Senegal, not to mention the overall poor political governance in the region, highlights that the urgent need for the overhaul of ECOWAS is now to be replaced by a truly relevant, viable and effective sub-regional bloc.

It is a shame that the very day that Senegalese people were hijacked and denied their voice was the very day ECOWAS heads of state were meeting in their first extraordinary session of the year in Abuja. In their communique read by the President of the Commission Dr. Omar Touray, ECOWAS once more shamefully decided to only rain praises on Macky Sall thereby betraying the people of Senegal and West Africa. The Communique is indeed a betrayal of the instruments of the bloc on governance, elections, peace, and human rights hence aiding and abetting bad leadership and encouraging threats to democracy.

The decision of ECOWAS to ignore the unconstitutional behaviour of Pres. Macky Sall and rather praise him, and the further re-admission of military-ruled countries only indicates that ECOWAS has lost direction, effectiveness, and legitimacy to exist. This failure should be squarely placed in the hands of the ECOWAS Commission more than any. This is because the Commission is in the position to prevent every and any civilian and military coup that has taken place in the region. Thanks to its instruments and the resources available to it, the Commission has the mandate to ensure that member states abide by Community instruments, norms, and standards thereby upholding and strengthening democratic governance in West Africa. As the custodian of these instruments, and the key adviser to the Authority and the ECOWAS Parliament, it is the duty of the Commission to monitor West African governments to ensure that they abide by the protocols they signed up to.

As a regional bloc, it must be noted that member states are at liberty to join or not. When they do join, they ratify instruments that impose obligations on them to uphold and implement. The role of the Commission is to monitor, support and guide these states to fulfill their Community obligations. Hence ECOWAS cannot pride itself by just intervening when unconstitutional actions erupt. Rather the success and purpose of ECOWAS is to ensure that unconstitutional acts, such as military coups or postponement or rejection of elections and sham referendums by incumbents do not happen. The ECOWAS Commission should have been on top of issues in each and every country and strongly engaging sitting governments such that the possibility of unconstitutionality shall be the exception rather than the rule in West Africa. Hence the ECOWAS Commission is the primary regional bloc failing West African thereby calling for the overhaul of the entire bloc.

Heads of state are governed by their constitution which they are required to abide by. But when member states ratify an ECOWAS instrument, then it is the duty of the Commission to ensure that heads of states and their governments uphold these instruments. For that matter, what is expected of the Commission is to actively and effectively confront presidents and governments to respect Community instruments and norms. The Commission should be seen providing hard nosed advice and direction to the heads of state to uphold these instruments and norms. Unfortunately, the Commission appears to want to appease heads of state, hence providing them with weak and misguided advice to the Authority of Heads of State which only creates the space for unconstitutionality to prevail across the region.

On a day like today, February 25, all Africans must stand in solidarity with the people of Senegal to demand that Pres. Macky Sall announced a date immediately to hold elections before his term expires on April 2 when he must step down. It is sad that the ECOWAS Communique failed to make this demand on Macky Sall thereby justifying and defending his unconstitutional act. It must be clear to all West Africans by today that the greatest threats to democracy in the region are their own presidents and parliamentarians in cahoots with the ECOWAS Commission.

In Solidarity with the People of Senegal and Democracy.

By Madi Jorbateh!

Source: Open Gambia page

19/02/2024

UDP CONDEMNS VIOLENCE BY THE POLICE TO DISRUPT PEACEFUL CIVILIAN EVENTS AT THE BUFFER ZONE ON INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSERY.

The United Democratic Party has learned with great dismay of the disruption, using disproportionate force, on a fundraising event organised by the group, NO TO ALLIANCE which has five elected National Assembly Members serving in the Legislature.

The UDP calls on the IGP to unreservedly apologise to the organisers of the event and to compensate for any injury inflicted on individuals or damage caused to property; it is unpardonable that on the most solemn day in the nations calendar, the Gambia Police would resort to the use of violence to disperse citizens who are engaged in activities that have already been approved by the Gambia police force. This runs contrary to accepted norms in a democratic society.

It is baffling that barely 2 days after the much talked about and publicised National Dialogue to sanitize Gambian politics, which would ensure that there is determination on the part of everyone to work for the unity and stability of the nation, the Gambia Police Force would use teargas to disperse a peaceful gathering of citizens, on a day that the Independence anniversary of the country was being celebrated.
A ‘National Dialogue’ is meaningful only within the context of democratic pluralism where all organs and agents of the State act within the ambit of the Constitution and are guided by the rule of law.

To be clear, this is not the first time that the Gambia Police Force has used excessive force to disperse peaceful assemblies of citizens. One instant was firing teargas into the crowd assembled outside my residence in December 2021. There are several other cases, but suffice it to say policing in a democratic republic requires a skill set and tools different from that of an authoritarian state.

UDP respectfully urges the security forces and public servants to honour their oaths of office and to faithfully serve the constitution and laws of the Gambia without fear or favour, ill will, or affection. The mantra of the TRRC “NEVER AGAIN” must mean that ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and injustice anywhere is the indisputable agent of instability.

Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to safeguard the state and to secure all life, liberty, and equal protection of the law. As a nation, we cannot say we shall engage in dialogue to cleanse our politics and immediately thereafter attack a rival political group with teargas.

In conclusion, UDP wishes all Gambians a happy and peaceful 59th Independence Anniversary.

LONG LIVE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA !! LONG LIVE NATIONAL UNITY!! GAMBIA KANGKILING!! GAMBIA BENA BATT!!

ANM Ousainu Darbo
SECRETARY GENERAL & PARTY LEADER

03/02/2024

MILLIONS OF NIGERIANS ARE WORRIED AS THEIR CURRENCY NAIRA CONTINUES TO DEPRECIATE AGAINST US DOLLAR $1 =1,500

The Naira currency has depreciated against the US dollar in the official foreign exchange market at the end of January 2024 amid the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent intervention to curb its free fall.

Data from FMDQ on Wednesday showed that the Naira marginally DEPRHpreciated N1,455.59 per US dollar from N1,482.57 on Tuesday.

On a day-to-day level, the Naira is depreciated by N26.98 gain or a 1.85 per cent increase, to close at N1,455.59 from N1,482.57 per Dollar on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the black market remained unchanged at N1,470 per US Dollar at the close of Wednesday.

However, with Naira ending at N1,455.59 per US dollar, the nation’s currency recorded a 37.6 per cent depreciation in January 2024.

This comes as the Association of Bureau De Change operators said it will close its offices for business on Thursday over dollar scarcity.

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a fresh guideline to curb foreign currency hoarding and speculation on Wednesday.

Earlier, the apex bank announced that it released over 500 million dollars in the forex market to clear the FX backlog.

DAILY POST recalls that the Senate summoned the Governor of CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, to appear before it next week over the forex crisis.

Data from FMDQ on Wednesday showed that the Naira marginally depreciated N1,455.59 per US dollar from N1,482.57 on Tuesday.

On a day-to-day level, the Naira appreciated by N26.98 gain or a 1.85 per cent increase, to close at N1,455.59 from N1,482.57 per Dollar on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the black market remained unchanged at N1,470 per US Dollar at the close of Wednesday.

However, with Naira ending at N1,455.59 per US dollar, the nation’s currency recorded a 37.6 per cent depreciation in January 2024.

This comes as the Association of Bureau De Change operators said it will close its offices for business on Thursday over dollar scarcity.

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a fresh guideline to curb foreign currency hoarding and speculation on Wednesday.

Earlier, the apex bank announced that it released over 500 million dollars in the forex market to clear the FX backlog.

DAILY POST recalls that the Senate summoned the Governor of CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, to appear before it next week over the forex crisis.

31/01/2024

Banjul International Airport Up for Concession

By - Dr. Manneh

UDP's deputy administrative secretary for external affairs in the diaspora Dr.Lamin Manneh has revealed that the Gambia government has perfected plans to concede the Banjul International Airport (BIA) to a private investor(s) after spending 50 million dollars on its rehabilitation two years ago.

“They [the government] have floated a tender for the construction of a new airport. It [BIA] is concessioned out…worse than recycling,” Dr. Manneh disclosed in an interview with Coffee Time With Peter Gomez on Tuesday.

“We spent 50 million dollars two years ago to rehabilitate the airport. They spent 10 million dollars to upgrade the VIP lounge… 40 million dollars to rehabilitate the Banjul International Airport and you don’t even have air conditioning there. Nothing has been done. You spent 50 million dollars on the airport with nothing to show for it. And then, you turn around the next minute to say oh, by the way, we going to concession it out to somebody… he is going to build a new airport. And that person is going to be running the airport,” he argued.

According to the UDP diaspora affairs chief, the conditions of the concession have yet to be made clear to the masses. He continued: “We don’t even know under what conditions it’s going to be done. The tender is very vague. What percentage will be paid back to The Gambia as a dividend or as our share in a PPP or whatever they might want to call it, how long is that concession going to be? So, the revenue we are supposed to obtain from the airport will all go to some foreign entity, and for how long, we don’t know… how are we going to get, we don’t know. Why do we need to concession out the construction of a new airport when you have one that can be functional and we just upgrade it properly and honestly?”