| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Jul 2011 : 18:08:22
|
Monday, July 11, 2011
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, will today, Monday 11th May 2011, commence his annual countrywide tour, commonly known as the "Dialogue with the Peoples’ Tour".
A constitutionally sanctioned practice, the tour requires the president, on an annual basis, to meet with the people and discuss pertinent issues bordering on nation building. President Jammeh, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation comprising cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and experts in various development fields, will leave Banjul this morning for Barra. The presidential delegation has a rich menu of engagements ahead of it, which will occupy them for 17 days.
The Gambian leader will visit project sites in a number of places in the country throughout his tour. Apart from enabling him to gauge the situation on the ground in the rest of the country, the tour will also offer him the opportunity to see for himself how much impact his development stance has had on the people, and, in effect, it will serve as a source of ideas for further development undertakings for his government. The tour will also avail the rural folks the opportunity to express gratitude to a man who has brought numerous developments to their doorsteps since his assumption of authority. Already, rural Gambia is awash with a considerable number of social amenities such as good road network, health facilities, schools, electricity supply, just to name a few; all of these thanks to the visionary leadership of President Jammeh. This has rejuvenated life in provincial Gambia, and also gone a long way in curbing rural-urban migration.
Daily Observer's observation of the situation across the regions reveals massive preparations on the grounds - from the North Bank Region, the Central River Region, the Lower River Region, the Upper River Region, right down to the West Coast Region and the Greater Banjul Areas, people are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Gambian leader and have promised to give him the best reception.
Below is what the regions have in stock for the Gambian leader.
North Bank Region
According to the governor of North Bank Region (NBR) Alhaji Edwarr Seckan, when they got the information about the coming of the president, all stakeholders in the region ranging from National Assembly members to the chiefs to ordinary people, started working day and night to make sure that everything goes well as planned. He stressed that this is particularly important, as the region is the first point of call for the president, and so other regions should learn from them.
Commenting on the region’s level of preparedness prior to the president’s visit, governor Seckan revealed that the people are fully prepared to receive the head of state and assured of a rousing welcoming ceremony. He said: “In terms of preparation, logistics accommodation among others, everything is set. The people will see a difference this year. We have 10 farms for the president and the biggest one is in Jurunko in the Upper Niumi. In fact, this is a clear manifestation of how the people of the region are responding to the president’s clarion call for people to go back to the land to grow what they eat.” Governor Seckan further assured of the people of NBR’s continuous support to the president and APRC as they continue to benefit from numerous development projects that are improving their livelihood.
He used the opportunity to commend the people of NBR for their unflinching support to the APRC. He also hailed President Jammeh for providing tractors to governors, district chiefs and the Women Federation with the objective of contributing to the attainment of food self-sufficiency. He stated further that the people in the region are grateful to the president for contributing to the socio-economic transformation of the region. He cited the good road network, electricity supply and provision of improved Nerica seeds to farmers, women empowerment among others as clear indication of the president’s commitment to national development.
For their part, the National Assembly members for Illiasa and Sabah Sanjal constituencies, Honourable Lamin Jammeh and Ousman Bah respectively said the people in NBR and their constituencies’ in particular are well prepared to receive the president. They also assured of the region’s support to the Gambian leader particularly the youth, whom they said are already responding to the Gambian leader’s back-to-the-land call.
Dr Saikou Sanyang, the regional agricultural director, opined that the visit of the president is another boost to the farmers as he [President Jammeh] is the number one farmer in the country and the minister of Agriculture. “The concern of the farmers in his concern, and we are grateful to him for the fact that he is doing all he can to develop agriculture in this country”, he said, whilst revealing that recently, the president distributed some 20 bags of Nerica new variety of P168 to farmers. He also expressed hope that the new rice variety would contribute to meeting the food and seed requirement of farmers. Dr. Sanyang also thanked all partners in the region for their immense contribution to complementing the efforts of government on food availability and nutritional status of farmers. He however called on farmers to always adhere to extension advices and report any problem to the regional office on time.
The chief of Illiasa constituency, Ebrima Ansu Tamba Jammeh, echoed similar sentiments and assured the district authority’s support to the Dialogue with the people tour. He further called on the people in the region to come out in large numbers to welcome the president and delegation to show their loyalty and support to the APRC. Chief Jammeh also thanked President Jammeh for his achievements in national development and women empowerment. Aja Isatou Jallow, North Bank Women Mobiliser said the women are fully prepared to welcome the president in large numbers, as president Jammeh has done a lot for the women of the country, which NBR women are no exception. She applauded the president for creating more opportunities for women, citing the appointment of women in top decision-making positions since the advent of July 22nd 1994 Revolution. Mustapha Dibba, Youth coordinator for Illiasa Constituency said the committee held series of meetings with the security forces to finalise arrangements with various committees ahead of the president’s arrival.
He intimated that the youths want to show the president that they are fully behind him, and will continue to support and rally behind him, because he has prioritised youth development. “The president has done a lot for the youth. He has been saying over the years that as far as youth and youth development are concerned, the sky is the limit. This is now a reality as he has established the green industry mainly for the youth and built a lot of skill centres across the country,” he stated. Modou Cham, a strong APRC supporter and president of the NBR Transport Union Farafenni said the drivers and the Drivers’ Wives Association are fully ready to welcome the président to the region. According to him, they have always been giving the president the welcome he deserves since the inception of the APRC government.
Central River Region
The governor of Central River Region (CRR) Alhaji Ganyie Touray also promised a tumultuous welcome for President Jammeh and delegation in his region. He revealed that committees have been put in place in preparation for the coming of the president. These committees, he said, would be in charge of accommodation, and catering among others, just to ensure that the president’s visit to the region is one of the best during the tour. According to him, chiefs, constituency chairpersons, security chiefs, yai compins, women and youth groups are all enthusiatic about receiving the Gambian leader. He explained that they will go to the border between NBR and CRR where they will receive President Jammeh and entourage. He also said that residents of villages along the highway will come out in large numbers to show solidarity to the president and thank him for the good work he is doing for Gambians. He also urged the people of the region to come out in large numbers to welcome the president.
The chief of Janjangbureh, Alhaji Bakary Jam Jawo stated their readiness to receive the president in Janjangbureh, saying that people of the town have met and discussed modalities and put in place plans to receive him. He added that this is to show appreciation for the development they enjoyed under the leadership of President Jammeh and the APRC government. He promised that this year’s welcome for the president will be the best ever. He again re-affirmed the region’s unflinching support for President Jammeh and the APRC government.
The regional youth coordinator, Alhaji Omar Mambureh and the regional secretary general of youths, Alhaji Malang Saibo Camara said the green youths of the region would assemble in Janjangbureh over the weekend in preparation for the welcoming ceremony. They further stated that the green youths would be in the forefront to receive the head of state. They also dilated on the numerous developments the youths benefited from President Jammeh over the past years. Mariama Manneh, lady councilor for Janjangbureh said the women of the region would not be left behind, and promised that they will outnumber the men when welcoming the Gambian leader. She called on all other Women’s Bureau councilors to mobilise their people for the president’s visit to their region.
The acting regional police commissioner, Gibril Jawo revealed that all sister security chiefs have met and discussed the logistic on the deployment of security personnel in necessary places. He said his men are ready to take up their duties during the tour. He finally assured that the security personnel will not be left behind in welcoming the president, saying that they will play their role and provide maximum security.
Upper River Region
The people of the Upper River Region (URR) are also fully prepared to accord the Gambian leader and delegation a tumultuous welcome. Alhaji Omar Khan, the governor of the region said preparations are in high gear with committees already established to see to the welfare of the delegation. “The president will see different things this time because we will give him the best welcome ever,” he promised. According to him, the tour is very important, as it will avail the people the unique opportunity to meet the president.
Mariama Jaw, APRC regional women mobiliser and councillor at the Basse Area Council also assured that preparations are in full steam to welcome the president. She said that as usual they will receive the president at the CRR-URR border, and hoped that this time URR will come out first. She called on the people of URR to come out in their large numbers to welcome the president, who according to her has transformed the lives of the people. She opined that the tour is very important in the sense that it is an opportunity for the people to see the president face-to-face, and most importantly inform him about their needs.
Omar Sompo Ceesay, chairman of Basse Area Council also affirmed that preparations are ongoing to welcome the president. “The president is a man of URR,” he stated whilst urging the youths and the entire URR to come and welcome the president. Ebrima Cham, commissioner of Police in URR assured that the security forces are fully set. He said: “You know the president is our president and therefore the security is always ready when he is coming on tour.” He then urged the people to behave well in order to avoid conflicts with the security.
Lower River Region
Alhaji Lamin Waa Juwara, the governor of the Lower River Region (LRR) said the people of his region are very happy and looking forward to receiving the president and his delegation in the region. He stressed that the people of LRR owe much gratitude to the Gambian leader for transforming the country to another level of development. “We are actually waiting and everybody is excited to receive him,” he enthused. Governor Juwara harped on Gambia’s development strides, pointing out that President Jammeh has come to develop the country. He opined that politics cannot be separated from development, explaining that the ‘surname’ for politics is ‘development’. According to him, this is exactly what President Jammeh is doing for the country.
He called on the chiefs and alkalolu, among others, to mobilise their people in order for them to accord the president and his delegation a warm welcome in the region, stressing that the tour is all about nation building, which everyone has a stake in. Yaya Jarjursey, the chief of Jarra West District described the nationwide tour as a constitutional requirement which will avail the people the opportunity to see President Jammeh as well as hold discussions with him. He went on to describe President Jammeh as a real statesman who has brought development to the doorstep of every Gambian. He cited schools, hospitals and roads, among others, as examples of the many development projects the Gambian leader has brought to the country.
He opined that President Jammeh has already earned himself victory in the upcoming presidential election, and called on the people, especially those in LRR to rally behind the president and his government in order to make sure that the trend of development in the country continues for the betterment of all. He also urged the people of the region to come out in their large numbers and give the president a befitting welcome. Alhaji Seedy Cham, the regional chairman of the APRC also expressed his happiness and appreciation to the government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh for the ongoing developmental projects across the country.
He described President Jammeh’s nationwide tour as another opportunity accorded to Gambians to meet their good leader, as well as to have discussions with him. He finally called on his people to come out en mass to welcome President Jammeh and his delegation to the LRR. Aja- Fatou Njie-Fofana, the regional APRC women mobiliser said the Gambian leader’s tour is very important for everyone in LRR especially the women of the region. Seedy Sanneh, a native of Sankwia and the regional APRC youth mobiliser thanked the Gambian leader for taking the country to a higher height development wise, stressing that his good intentions cannot be overemphasised. He also thanked him for providing tractors to the farming community.
West Coast Region
West Coast Region (WCR) is also making grand préparations to receive the president and delegation. The fact that the president hails from the région has made authorities in that part of the country to aim towards organising the best welcome for him. "President Jammeh is worth everything for Gambians, particularly those from West Coast Region," said the governor of the region, Lamin Sanneh. He disclosed that the régional authorities and APRC militants will be holding a meeting this Wednesday to discuss and map out plans and strategies on how to give a befitting welcome to the president. He went on to emphasise the need for Gambians, particularly the people of his region to support President Jammeh in his efforts to transform The Gambia into a Silicon Vally.
While calling on the young people of his region to rally behind the president and his government in the interest of national development, Governor Sanneh mentioned some of his [President Jammeh's] youth-friendly development initiatives, making reference to the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) and NEDI among others. According to him, President Jammeh's main target is to make sure every Gambian benefits from his government’s development initiatives. "The way we are preparinmg to receive the president this year will be different from the past years," Governor Sanneh assured. He went on to remind the people, particularly the youths, that voting is their constitutional mandate. He also urged them to vote for the APRC.
The chief of Kombo Central, Dembo Keleng Bojang declared that if it is all about being supportive to President Jammeh, no region will do it more than WCR. He said that from Kartong to Kalagi, everyone is ready to participate in welcoming the president. "If we did not give the president a befitting welcome, then we are not fair to him," he averred. He told the people of the region that they must understand that President Jammeh is here for all Gambians, but they [WRC] will always maintain the ownership. Saikouna Sanneh, a nominated member of the National Assembly said: "West Coast Region is well prepared to receive the president. we want to give him a different welcome, different from all the other regions in the country".
Kanifing Municipality
The mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Yankuba Colley, who is a key figure as far as the ‘Dialogue with the Peoples’ Tour’ is concerned, was also contacted to share his views with the Daily Observer. Colley, who has been the ruling APRC national mobiliser for nearly two years now, harped on the significance of this very important tour that is characterised by meetings where issues of national development are discussed, and site visits, amongst other things. “It is a constitutional mandate for the president to tour the country at least once every year to meet and discuss with the people,” Colley told the Daily Observer late Sunday afternoon during a telephone conversation.
He continued: “As I am talking to you, everybody is ready for this tour. The people in the provinces are ready and very eager to once again receive and discuss with their leader as they love him so much. In fact the president is loved by everyone and he is the most loved person in this country.”
Having experienced previous tours that were credited as “very successful,” the APRC national mobiliser is optimistic that the 2011 Presidential Dialogue with the Peoples’ Tour will be even more successfull than the previous ones. Colley was never-ending in his remark about the importance of the tour, pointing out that the Gambian leader is very much concerned about the welfare of his people. He further pointed out that the tour will avail the president and the citizens the opportunity to dialogue, exchange ideas as well as getting firsthand information at the grassroots with a view to addressing them for a way forward.
He then enjoined the citizenry to listen and absorb all the messages that the president would convey to them during the tour, while expressing delight for the opportunity given to his Municipality in holding two presidential meetings as part of the itinerary. Honourable Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the Majority leader and National Assembly member for Serrekunda East also described the tour as “very significant” and also said it is a constitutional requirement that the president criss-cross the country at least once in a year. The majority leader stressed that the Gambian leader is going on tour as the head of state and not APRC chairman. He said the tour avails the president the opportunity to dialogue, listen to the people, look at projects, and get firsthand information with a view to making informed decisions.
Jatta opined that the fact that the Gambian leader is fulfilling the constitutional mandate to tour the entire country at this time of the year despite all odds, demonstrates his concern for the people. However Jatta again stressed that people should not mix this tour with politics, pointing out that the ‘Dialogue with the Peoples’ Tour’ is a national issue that has no political connotations. While noting that the Gambian leader has since vowed that he will not campaign, the majority leader reiterated that the president is going as a head of state and nothing else.
Hon. Jatta used the opportunity to applaud the head of state for his achievements in national development, while urging Gambians to come forward and dialogue, as well as highlight their development priorities with a view to consolidating the gains registered.
Banjul
The mayor of Banjul City Council (BCC) Samba Faal, also stated that the tour is a constitutional requirement for the Gambian leader, adding that its significance cannot be overemphasised. As the mayor of the city where the tour will begin and end, Faal expressed their desire to give a befitting send-off and welcome to the president. To this end, he indicated that they have mobilised all the youths, ‘Yai compins’, council of elders, and women amongst others. Being the city that is the seat of the government, the mayor stressed that they have to set the pace.
“It is good for the president to go on tour because it is about the development of the people and communities. He [the president] has to go and see what is happening, know the problems of the people and in doing so it will help him to address those problems. It is not that he doesn’t trust his lieutenants [technocrats] but it is good for himself to go and get the firsthand information,” he stated, while adding further that the tour will enable the president to be in a better position to know where the taxes are put into and what priority projects to implement.
Similarly, the BCC mayor also stated that the tour will equally avail the people the opportunity to tell the Gambian leader from the horses’ mouth what their problems and priorities are.
Alhagie Babou Jallow in NBR, Lamin S.M Jawo in Janjangbureh, Alieu Ceesay in URR, Salifu Touray in LRR, Amadou Jallow & Hatab Fadera, all contributed to this article.
Author: Daily Observer
Source: http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/presidential-tour-begins-today-2
|
I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
|
|
Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2011 : 19:07:25
|
Monday, July 11, 2011
In line with his constitutional mandate, President Yahya Jammeh is expected to embark on a nationwide meet-the-people tour starting today, Monday, with critics saying this should not be used as an occasion for political propaganda ahead of scheduled presidential, parliamentary and local government polls in the country.
The tour, which comes once or twice annually, is among others, expected to avail the President the opportunity to meet with the people, know their concerns and work towards addressing them. It will also give the president the opportunity to assess development projects on the ground.
According to the tour itinerary, President Jammeh will be holding meetings in Njaba Kunda, Farafenni, Ngayen Sanjal and Kaur, all in the North Bank Region, Jangjangbureh in the Central River Region, Bakadaji, Gambisara, Baja Kunda, and Sutukonding all in the Upper River Region, among others.
Jammeh, who will be seeking a fourth term in office this year, has vowed not to embark on any political campaign for the scheduled 24th November presidential polls.
He said last month that the forthcoming elections will be the “final forty days charity” for opposition in this country.
“Gambians are very grateful people, and they are development-oriented. We are going to teach the opposition a lesson – for all the oppositions in Africa that oppose progressive development-oriented governments.
“This will be the final forty days charity for opposition in this country. I have been swearing and, of course, there will be areas that do not want development – they can vote for the opposition – that’s their problem.
“This time around, it is very clear that if you vote against development; don’t expect development,” Jammeh said.
Ahead of the tour, leading political figures from the ruling and opposition parties in the country spoke to The Point yesterday.
“The tour ordinarily is one that is enjoined by the constitution that the President should meet the people, at least once or twice every year. It is a constitutional requirement, but we all know that the president does not go on this tour in order to fulfill the constitutional requirement that he is supposed to fulfill, but instead, he will use it as a political campaign,” Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, party leader and secretary general of the opposition United Democratic Party, said.
Darboe, who will be running for the fourth time as a presidential candidate, come 24th November, added: “He said the last time that he is not going to campaign for the presidential elections, but he was just misleading the people. He is using this tour to launch his campaign for the November presidential elections.
“I can say that when you listen to his speeches during this tour, it will all be APRC this, APRC that. It is a misuse of resources for him to go on this tour, which will, no doubt, be used for political propaganda.
“I have seen at least 50 vehicles around Denton Bridge all set for this tour, but you can imagine the huge resources that will be spent on fuel, night allowances, among others.
“To me, this is a political campaign and nothing else,” declared the opposition leader.
Hamat Bah, leader of the opposition National Reconciliation Party, NRP, also said it is a constitutional requirement for the president to go on this tour.
“In fact, the constitution states that he should tour the country twice at least every year if possible and, of course, the state has to sponsor the tour because it is a requirement, and there is a budgetary allocation for it.
“Unfortunately, he does not tour the country twice, probably he should explain why, but I believe that this is an important thing. Let him go and meet the people, let them express themselves or say what they want, and what they believe should be done.
“I only hope that he will not start the tour and it becomes a political campaign, which replaces his normal campaign for the November polls.
“This should not be a political campaign of the APRC. The president should go on this tour to listen to the people, their concerns and address them; inspect development projects, see where things have gone wrong, where they need to be corrected,” Bah added.
According to Bah, who will also be running as a presidential candidate for the third time, it would be wonderful if that is done.
“So it is good that he is going on a tour to see for himself what is happening,” he said.
However, in the opinion of Lamin Waa Juwara, leader of the NDAM, one-time APRC critic and now Governor of the Lower River Region, there is nothing bad in that.
Juwara said it is a constitutional requirement that the President should meet with the people at least once every year, dialogue with them, listen to them, know their concerns and address them. “I don’t think there is anything bad in that. It’s all about democracy; these are the tenets of democracy.
“This meet-the-people tour will also avail the President the opportunity to assess development projects on the ground.
“The people here in the Lower River Region are all happy, and eager to see the arrival of the President. This is a very good opportunity which comes once every year.
“So for people to say that this is a waste of resources; they are talking rubbish, because you cannot separate development from politics,” he added.
Author: Baboucarr Senghore
Source: http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/the-opposition-warns-against-political-campaigning-as-jammeh-begins-meet-the-people-tour
|
I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
 |
|
|
toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2011 : 19:19:08
|
I understand but cannot confirm  that SOME projects have been progressing slowly to say the least, if that is so,rest assured that H.E. will swiftly kick start those projects suffering from problems.After all it is election year and the voters are about, no one wants unhappy voters at this time do they ?   |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 11 Jul 2011 19:20:07 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
