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Momodou
Denmark
11645 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 13:11:13
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FOCUS ON POLITICS
SIGNS OF CORRUPTION EVIDENT "STOP ROBBING THE NATION,"
Says Honourable Kemo Sanneh
With Suwaibou Touray
Continued from: http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3546
We have been rewriting our history, The Gambian history from pre-colonial to post-independence era. We have dealt with the 1977 elections and its aftermath. We have stopped where we said; the future at the time could not be predicted. Beneath the pomp and self-aggrandizement lay a blooming official corruption.
The parliamentary opposition led by Honourable Sheriff Dibba continued with their work in organizing their meetings, holding rallies, criticizing government etc. The PPP during this period 1978 appeared to be in disarray. The exposures in the Newspapers on the allegations of corruption among his own cabinet ministers and within the civil service must have motivated President Jawara to reshuffle his cabinet. He put pressure on two ministers either to resign or be terminated. Alhagie Yaya Ceesay was terminated as Minister of State for Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1978 A.B. Njie was also removed through pressure to resign which he did. Mr. Kebba Nyama Leigh was also removed as Minister of Local Government and Lands.
According to the Nation Newspaper the action of the president is a continuous process of purging the PPP of what he called "Dissident elements" noting that the split within the PPP was between the radicals and the pragmatists. According to the Nation, it was the radicals who were being purged. These people were added to the list of original party leadership meant to have been politically frozen, commented the Nation.
It was said that supporters had made efforts to convince the president to reinstate them but also demanded explanation..
After a long period of exposure, the president himself on Koriteh day September 4th 1978, called on the Muslim elders and prevailed on them to condemn very strongly the menace of corruption and to remind their congregations of the laws of Islam.
Sir Dawda reshuffled his cabinet and made cabinet changes as follows; Mr. Assan Musa Camara - Vice President, Alh. M.C Cham - Minister of Finance and Trade, Alh J.L.B Daffeh - Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Landing Jallow Sonko - Minster of Economic Planning and Industrial Development; Alh. Yaya Ceesay - Minister of State, H.O. Semega Janneh - Retained the Ministry of Information and Tourism, Mr. Kuti Sanyang - Minister of Works and Communication, Mr. M.C Jallow - Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Alh. Lamin Saho - Retained Post of Attorney General.
Many people began to wonder why he removed Alh. Yaya Ceesay as Minister of Agriculture, only to re-instate him as Minister of State. Was it done to appease the supporters who prevailed on him to do so or was it done because Alh. Yaya Ceesay remained an influential figure within the P.P.P ranks?
The president went on a country -wide tour and according to the Nation, he discovered to his surprise that some projects were on a standstill. Projects such as the Wassu Stone Circles, a Museum and Kiosk which had been stopped for the last two years.
When he came back from the tour, the press met with him and asked questions relating to corruption. Sir Dawda also asked the press what they thought could have been a solution to the menace. According to the Nation, it was suggested to him to establish an enquiry into the Assets of M.Ps and public officers but Sir Dawda said "I am not sure whether that was the best way of dealing with the acquisition of properties." He also said he would not like to see revenge or witch hunt of any kind.
But pressure continued to mount on the president. Mr. M. Taal of the U.P said in the house that he was ready to prove that the Minister of Local Government gave out plots on the condition that the applicant bribes him, but Mr. M.C Cham stood up to demand proof otherwise to withdraw his statement. The Speaker Sir Alieu Sulayman Jack then asked him to withdraw which he did but insisted that he would meet the minister responsible.
Mr. Kemo Sanneh also in his reaction to the president's speech called on the ministers to stop robbing the Nation, by building what he called "luxurious buildings" when their earnings could not meet the costs. According to the Nation Newspaper, he then called on government to set up a commission on Assets to look into the assets of everyone in the Government, including public officers. He further suggested that where the acquisition could not be explained such property be confiscated by the state.
A further embarrassment for the government was when the country had celebrated the 13th anniversary of independence, Sir Dawda opened a new Banjul/Barra Ferry Terminal with the coming into operation of a new super ferry boat, named "Banjul." The first iron ferry in The Gambia.
According to the Nation, less than three months, the ferry was temporarily withdrawn from service owing to a major fault in one of the engines. This had given amble reason to the opposition to show all the more how corruption had made development difficult.
But some good news came for the country when on September 18th 1978, a new boat which could carry over 700 tons was named after the president's second wife "The Lady Chilel." It was built at Ferguson Yard, Port Glasgow in UK at the cost of £1.5 million pounds. Two thirds of the cost was provided under the UK aids funds. "Lady Chilel" had its maiden voyage from Banjul to Basse, taking passengers. According to the Nation and the Outlook, Mr. B.L.K Sanyang, Minister of Works was on board. So was the acting British High Commissioner, Mr. Holiday. Captain Sallah of the boat was also on board as well as a well known local businessman and father of Lady Chilel. According to the Nation, Alh. Momodou Musa Njie opened a full sack of coins and notes on the quay which was distributed among the people for what he called his appreciation of the name of the boat "Lady Chilel" his daughter.
For the opposition, a tragic news struck the whole country. The death of Mr. Bakary Camara in a tragic road accident, the dynamic Bakau M.P who was well liked by his people. His life came to an end on March 19th 1978. On 5th June, a bye election ensued. But Mr. Camara's death galvanized the support for the NCP. So they did not only win but increased their margin by 638 votes. The defeat was so devastating to the ruling party that The Gambia News Bulletin carried what the Nation described as only a drab reporting of the event. The Radio Gambia as well did exactly the same. Two Bojangs contested against each other, one Famara Bojang for the PPP and Mr. Demba Bojang of the NCP who won and earned himself the alias Demba (by-force). The NCP also seemingly beefed up the executive committee by including the Sabach Sanjal popular Independent candidate into their fold, Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara. In all the meetings held by the NCP, Lamin would be heard attacking the Jawara regime.
For example at the NCP Sukuta rally, Mr. Juwara said in a situation which Sir Dawda himself admits that his government included thieves and the dishonest, it would be honourable to hand over the government to others. According to the Nation Newspaper, Mr. Juwara criticized Sir Dawda as being indifferent, neglectful and careless. He also charged that tons of rice given as gift to the people had been sold instead. He called on the Minister responsible Mr. Kebba Leigh to resign.
What were however becoming evident at the time were the signs of discontent, evident in 1977 to only close observers. But by 1978, it was glaring to even those who were slumbering. This was why the Outlook observed in their editorial, that "For the first time, there are some intellectuals who felt left out without being offered any part to perform in the advancement of the country.
See the next issue for more on the signs of discontent in the country.
Continued: http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3597
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 46/2007, 23 - 24 April, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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