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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 13:48:28
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I dont think bev is being negative. Or tarnishing the image of Gambia.
What she said is fact, I have a gambian driving license, i never took a test and i never even met the person who issued it for me, it was all done for me for a few Dalasi.
AND before anyone says anything..........
It was done for me by a GAMBIAN i was working for. I needed to drive for my job and i actually asked about a driving license and was told to just give photos and he would sort it. A short while after i received my driving license.
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Jack
Belgium
384 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 13:59:24
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Yes friends, we found him. "Kobo" : the first member who never spent a single butut in his whole life for bribery purposes. 
What a lucky day for the Bantaba. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 14:14:20
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Jede I have NEVER bribed anyone in the UK.....
In GAMBIA I try to be principled and resist it.... but my guide insists sometimes it smooths the pathway and saves me from a jail sentence!!!!
I could give LOADS of examples.......
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 14:41:01
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| Unfortunately amongst some officials here 'assistance', is the norm. We know that whenever there's an official involved, its going to cost us money, especially before a 'holiday!' We had to pay to get a PO Box, insurance papers for the car, (for doing the paperwork),when we had stuff stolen by workmen in our home we had to pay the police for the paperwork.Our goods were eventually returned, but as my husband didn't want they guys sent to Mile two, he thought being held at the police station for three days was enough, he then had to pay for more paperwork to drop the case!! I could go on forever, but EVERYONE who lives here knows what the score is. |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 15:22:25
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Kobo and others: My posting was meant ironical. I knew Gambiabev did not really recommend bribery, but nobody can deny the fact that the phenomenon exists. In Gambia as well as in other countries - including Europe, the USA, and Australia.
The extent of corruption makes the difference. In Europe, for example, the sums paid are higher, as the receivers usually are in higher positions. Corruption here has not (yet) reached all lower ranks, as in many African countries. But in Europe, corruption is also a societal cancer causing a lot of harm.
A funny tale to end this unpleasant topic from my side: One day I went to Gambia via Senegal. A friend of the family collected me in Barra, and when we reached Banjul a police officer claimed to check my passport and my luggage. It was late in the evening, I was tired from the long journey and wanted to go home. I protested about the luggage because it had already been checked at the border. The friend sighed: "You are a hopeless case... still you don't know how things work here...!". He turned to the officer, handed him something secretly, and we were allowed to pass. In the taxi he laughed: "Haaha, I paid this corrupt officer well! I gave him five Dalasi, but because it was dark, he thought it was much more!"
What do we learn from this? Corruption does not always pay, because even with a bribe someone smarter than you may cheat you! |
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 16:45:48
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| Bribery is well known to happen in any police check poin in the Gambia,last time i was in the Gambia I jump the LINE Up at passport control and easy exit as my suitcase was not cheak cause just baceuse i handed £5.The TRUTH is Gambia GOVERMENT paid little to the OFFICERS that in turn CORRUPT them.BEV i will love to see MONEY not to be THE KEY to any THING in the GAMBIA but IT will REALLY take HELL of a LONG LONG TIME.UMM MASEEBO...... |
There is no god but Allah |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:27:51
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I know...I am an idealist and find corruption hard to accept...... better wages and conditions would be a start because then at least we would know it was being done out of greed and NOT necessity. I would find that sort of corruption easier to stand up to!
Corruption in west is usually done by very greedy individuals on the make..... This should be treated as crime and if caught they should get a prison sentence. This is a deterent to others.
Unless I am being very naive corruption in the uk is nothing like the endemic corruption in Gambia. Most people would be insulted to be offered money to waive a rule or quicken something up...... |
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sharon
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:50:24
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| you can access the information that you reqire on the net complete with the application form that you can download.Their are guidance notes for both the applicant and the sponser.To be honest I think it is the luck of the draw.You can also ask for help from the I.A.S this is what we did in the end.It does seem to make a difference if they know that you have consulted with them and received some legal advice.I am happy to give anyone the benefit of our experiences if they would like to e.mail me.Don't be intimidated by them.Also remember that the rules concerning passport photographs have recently changed,on my last visit there were people being turned away because the photo's did not comply with the new regulations but no explanation as to what the new rules were. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 17:54:26
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| Can you explain what IAS is? Also what web site to download information? Thanks...It might help my guide next time we try..... |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 18:08:02
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moon garden a guest were i am staying advised me that the system has changed he flew over to help his mother in law come to uk, they now do it on a first come first served basis. he wrote a letter and added that he was here if they wished to speak to him, provided all paperwork. he said it definately helped becasue so many things are left unspoken.
As for bribery, the "fee" is the norm, i hate to pay it but if some helps outside there job no problem happy to give a tip, but i try not to give mney normally for the males its batteries, especially mobile phone batteries if some helps in a big way. Pens, pencils, socks have been given to people who have help me. Money is open to a price increase the next time you need help.
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sharon
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 18:21:37
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| gambiabev,you need to go to www.visas.gov.uk it is worth a visit as in my experience the entry clearance officers will seek to apply different rules or even completely ignore them altogether.The I.A.S.is a charitable organisation it's full title is Immigration Advisory Service.I went to see them in Birmingham,they also have a web site, the address is www.iasuk.org.I found them so helpful.Just as a little after thought when I explained who our problem was with the reaction was "not Banjul again "it seems they have a bit of a reputation. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 18:27:04
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Thanks for all that. To me it seems a power game, a lottery. |
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sharon
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 18:33:42
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| How right you are,I found the whole experience so stressful.I encouraged my friend to make an official complaint to the Home office at one point but he was to frightened of the offcers.I am very concerned about the way they treat some people. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 21:12:07
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quote:
Originally posted by sharon
you can access the information that you reqire on the net complete with the application form that you can download.Their are guidance notes for both the applicant and the sponser.To be honest I think it is the luck of the draw.You can also ask for help from the I.A.S this is what we did in the end.It does seem to make a difference if they know that you have consulted with them and received some legal advice.I am happy to give anyone the benefit of our experiences if they would like to e.mail me.Don't be intimidated by them.Also remember that the rules concerning passport photographs have recently changed,on my last visit there were people being turned away because the photo's did not comply with the new regulations but no explanation as to what the new rules were.
Thanks as with Sab for the professional advices solicited on this topic by initiator and by-passing petty talks. Hope that iniator would benefit from them and the negativity would not override these positive results. |
Edited by - kobo on 20 Jun 2006 21:18:38 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 22:10:21
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Having sorted out the visa issue which Moogarden solicited from Bantaba and dealt with adequately by Sab and Sharon.
Now coming on to politics and exposing corruption of a given society and a menace at all levels of society; read under http://allafrica.com/stories/200606191074.html |
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