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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jul 2012 : 15:02:51
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Very generous of Tiawan,I take it that the equipment will be sourced from Tiawan,good business for them.
(The Chinese are also giving out money to Africa,remember Africa has loads of resources,Gambia hasn't got many, but its got a very good port an excellent Hub for West Africa>
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/china-announces-20bln-loans-africa-024256901--finance.html )
BUT, as I know Gambians have a revulsion to anything mechanical preferring the "old ways" I am fearful that the new pumps and equipment will suffer from "Gambian maintenance" problems.
I hope that this doesn't happen as environmental improvements to Gambia's systems is needed on health grounds alone it will be extremely unfortunate that if ALL workers fail to appreciate this fact and carry on enjoying fiddling with mechanical things that they don't understand the resulting "breakdowns" that will occour without any doubt, much needed health improvements of the people will not take place.
WAKE UP NOW WORKERS OF THE GAMBIA
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/taiwan-provides-d17m-for-banjul-pump-house-renovation
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 19 Jul 2012 15:23:15 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2012 : 17:45:20
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Very generous of Tiawan,I take it that the equipment will be sourced from Tiawan,good business for them.
Change Taiwan with any country giving foreign aid and you will find out that Toubabs assumption is correct in most cases. Tax payers in Britain, Denmark, etc. etc. would like to see some turnovers in the form of jobs and promotion of their products for the external aid.
With regards to the “old ways”; the problem is not the "old ways" but having the most qualified at the right place and at the same time providing money for maintenances.
The renovation of this pump station is long overdue because the population of Banjul has increased tremendously since this station was first established. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2012 : 18:33:13
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I agree with all you have written except your comments on "Old ways" those who maintain these systems must know what they are doing and have the ethic of pride in their work, I am sorry to say that in MOST cases that pride does not exist in dealing with things mechanical in Gambia ,the most glaring example are the "local Garages " the knowledge at these is very little and the thinking is I will fix this problem and "fiddle" with something else so my customer will return in a few days to pay me more money to fix this new problem.
If things are given then surely it's up to the recipient to ensure that maintenance money is collected from those who use the service in order to keep the equipment in GOOD working order OR if the wish is to employ foreigners to do a good job give money to them for a contract for maintenance.
Gambians MUST realise sometime that they cannot expect people from other countries to keep giving things for free.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 19 Jul 2012 18:38:00 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2012 : 20:05:16
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Yes, lack of motivation is another issue.
Those who "fiddle" are not qualified and I agree with you that there are many in local garages. What those people do is what is called in Wollof "lambatou" (trial and error).
However, there are garages with qualified mechanics who have got their City and Guilds of London Institute certificates without setting foot on UK soil.
I don't know your associates when you're in Gambia but you SEEM to gather a lot of negative perceptions. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2012 : 23:52:38
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Momodou, my associates are ORDINARY Gambian people,many have no work, others work 7 days a week on very low wages to support their families.I do not move in the higher circles of Gambian society,but all of my friends have cashpower and light,although sometimes food is a problem, but what little they have is always shared with anyone who comes.I do not want to be constantly knocking Gambia,as I have often said I love Gambia and I like the Gambian people but poverty is endemic and has shown no sign of improving over the time I have had the pleasure of visiting.I hope that you understand the points that I am trying to make.
I really hope that my candid comments have not made you or the readers of bantaba in cyberspace, a part of your homepage angry,I know that your page is widely read by many in different countries,if your last sentence is a gentle diplomatic push for me to leave so be it, you only have to say the word,and I will not post again. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 00:47:35
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
....if your last sentence is a gentle diplomatic push for me to leave so be it, you only have to say the word,and I will not post again.
Oh no, I don't mean to censor you in any way. It was just an observation about sweeping statements you sometimes make about our "old ways". I said you SEEM to...... |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 05:09:37
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"...but poverty is endemic and has shown no signs of improving over the time I have had the pleasure of visiting," Toubab.
In developed and more advanced economies, there are metrics used to evaluate and determine what constitutes poverty, and there are also social programs and economic assistance to those who fall bellow the poverty line. Thus the reason why poverty is not endemic in those societies, and the social safety nets are more elaborate and extensive to ensure that the basic requirements of a healthy living are met.
If you lose your job there is an unemployment insurance that your employer contributes to, which allows you to collect unemployment benefits up to a period that you stayed unemployed. And depending on the economic climate of the country those who formulate policies most of the time extend these benefits.
There are also housing assistance, and a myriad of other designed social programs that respond to the needs and well being of the economically disadvantaged, and those who just want a helping hand from their government. But all these things do not exist in a vacuum; they are all part of a well structured economic framework, in which American presidents have lost elections when people cannot find jobs, and fast enough. It is the economy, stupid.
The Gambia, does not fit the narrative above. And this is for a number of reasons. The most being the inability to develop the productive base of the economy.
The fundamental question that needs to be asked is: how to create jobs. And also how what we can produce can be distributed. There should be a link to what we can produce, and how what we can produced can be distributed.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 12:11:49
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"The Gambia, does not fit the narrative above." &etc. (short quote )
Exactly my point this has not happened,when will it happen?
The whole of any administration has to get real and DO something really soon not in 100 years not keep bleeting on about small things tackle the problem of Gambia head on and take acton. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 20 Jul 2012 12:17:50 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 12:17:14
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Choice and free speech is always important in a free environment,so I choose to stay at the moment Thanks.
quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
....if your last sentence is a gentle diplomatic push for me to leave so be it, you only have to say the word,and I will not post again.
Oh no, I don't mean to censor you in any way. It was just an observation about sweeping statements you sometimes make about our "old ways". I said you SEEM to......
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 17:09:40
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Toubab,I am glad you decide to stay. You contributions here are highly appreciated. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 17:38:38
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| Momodou, you make me severely !! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 20 Jul 2012 17:39:17 |
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sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2012 : 00:19:18
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"The Gambia, does not fit the narrative above." &etc. (short quote )
"Exactly my point this has not happened,when will it happen?
The whole of any administration has to get real and DO something really soon not in 100 years not keep bleeting on about small things tackle the problem of Gambia head on and take acton."
Toubab, The Gambia has the human resources, and the intellectual capability to tackle its problems head on. The good thing is that there are some committed, sincere, honest and dedicated Gambians who have taken the time, and devoted most of their lives to study and research about the Gambia, developing a political blueprint and an economic paradigm that can respond to the needs and aspirations of the people.
In the early eighties there was an awakened awareness and social consciousness among the youths in the country; some of these people are still out there with the same level of sincerity and commitment. Therefore, our future is not hopeless.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2012 : 00:29:15
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" in the early eighties" etc. that is a very long time ago,were there efforts successful ?
Bearing in mind that it is is now the 21st Century and the year 2012.
The simple answer is,............ ? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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sankalanka
270 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2012 : 01:09:30
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" in the early eighties" etc. that is a very long time ago,were there efforts successful ?
Bearing in mind that it is is now the 21st Century and the year 2012.
The simple answer is,............ ?"
In my opinion, those who assumed power after the first republic were beneficiaries of the awakened awareness and social consciousness that has evolved at that period. They were politically oriented to meet the challenges of building a democratic polity. What happened afterwards is an entirely different matter.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2012 : 14:37:24
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| Noted & understood |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 21 Jul 2012 14:37:54 |
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