 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Sep 2009 : 17:40:24
|
Culled from the Daily News
Editorial: President Jammeh warns Murderers
Barely days after President Jammeh commented on the rampant killing of people, with particular reference to motorists who are on record of killing many innocent people, yet there was one on Tuesday 8th September 2009, as the presidential convoy was going to the airport to see President Jammeh off to Bissau. One Saffiatou Nyassi a thirty-five old lady was knocked down by a high speeding vehicle as Saffiatou was crossing from one side of the road to another; she died instantly eye witness said.
It is also reported that a European was killed last week. In the same week an apprentice killed his boss after a small quarrel. A record killing of more than two persons a week is really alarming for country like The Gambia. In the preceding weeks many were killed one way or the other. One Astou Konateh of Serekunda was killed at Tallinding by speeding car, in the same accident a boy was knocked and killed on the spot, these and many had happen over the recent times.
President Jammeh is quoted of saying that, he is concern of the recent spate of killings in the country, saying that every week one will hear that some one has been killed. He affirmed that his government will set an example after the holy, month of Ramadan. Jammeh send a word through family heads of his readiness to enforce the dead penalty to who ever are found guilty of murder. How much this will be translated to action is yet to be seen, as Gambians are getting use to ultimatums without action.
On the increase of road accidents, the president questioned what the police are doing with the motor cycles, which were donated to them amidst increasing road accidents. He suggested that the police should have use the motor cycles given to them to crackdown on over speeding drivers who intermittently recklessly kill innocent people. What the president can do in getting the police to maximize the use of motor bicycles in their bid to crackdown on over speeding is yet to be seen.
We want to agree with the President for shifting the blame on our traffic police. Many including the police PRO Secka are of the view that most of these fatal accidents that are heard of, on our high ways are as a result of high speeding. Most drivers who ply our roads do not respect the speed limits, especially in and around hospitals and residential places. Unless the drivers respect this speed limits many more lives, innocent lives for that matter will continue to perish.
Yes speed limits in our residential places can be enforced. We have seen the increase in our police intake over the years, and these intakes are mainly made of very young school leavers. What else are there responsibilities? Almost you turn to every corner of our streets these young police officers are there, what are they doing about over speeding in and around our residential places?
The editorial of our edition 43 August 27th to 30th 2009, did pointed out that the police are partly to blame for most of these over speeding, we asked them to do all within their powers to curtail on such reckless driving. If the police can enforced the seat belt, if they can enforce the mobile phones calls whiles driving, I cannot see why they cannot enforce over speeding in and around our residential places.
The police have succeeded in controlling the speed limit of drivers commuting along the Serekunda/Banjul routes, particularly at the Mile Two/Wadner’s Beach hotel curve. Why can’t it be done elsewhere? We task the police to tighten their efforts and control the over speeding which is seen as the principal cause of most of the road accidents leading to deaths.
Source: The Daily News
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2009 : 01:04:14
|
Is this the beginning of a waking from slumber? Is Jammeh just knowing about murder on Gambian soil. By no means holding breath for killer-drivers whose rush for the limited money ends up taking innocent lives, the best thing is for Jammeh to address past murder cases. Of these there are still many that Gambia Government has not explained about. |
Karamba |
 |
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2009 : 08:26:20
|
What is happeneing in the Gambia now is not uncommon in many third world countries. When there is an influx of automobiles into third world cities, like Banjul and its metro which have to co-exist with bicyclists and pedestrians in an environment with very little traffic regulations, the result is a deadly mix of high speed chaos.
In Beijing, drivers of automobiles (automobiles are the latest arrivals in china's booming and festering cities) often stop in the middle of traffic and engage in a fist fight  . Pedestrians would often attempt to cross the deadly streets in the middle of traffic...
In the United States, there is a huge responsibility on drivers to look out for pedestrians, but in the Gambia and many third world cities, pedestrians have to look after themselves in the often chaotic and deadly streets...
The automobile is perhaps the new symbol of power, and while these kings (and queens) ply the roads at deadly speeds, the little guy walking on the roadside is a non-entity-a fair game...
It is a common happening in the Gambia for drivers to yell at approaching pedestrians, "do you wanna kill yourself? Sumaa laa tampogyee fie"!
What the Gambia government needs to do is robust traffic regulation, and that will have to include:
1. more road signs (e.g. pedestrian crossing, school zones, traffic lights, speed limits).
2. more traffic patrols by police officers who can immediately pullover violators and issue them tickets. The tickest must be paid to the municipal court or where applicable in serious cases the driver must appear in court for a trial, instead of the usual ten dalasis tip or bribery to the police officer. The court can then issue additional fine, suspension or revocation of driver's liscence, or impose a jail time...
3.get rid of police or military check points, except at border crossings. Subjecting Gambians to routine pat downs or visual inspections at checkpoints is not only a violation of privacy, but it also gives the security officers an advantage to carry out graft and abuse of duty. Checkpoints also give drivers a headsup and thereby plan ahead how to beat the police.
4. the police needs to be trained and equipped to detect drunk driving, over speeding, and other routine violations.
5. introducing a written test/exam (or some variation of it since many gambian drivers may not be forttunate enough to be literate)for all drivers in addition to the current road test .
In short, the Gambia's traffic laws and regulations must evolve to reflect the changing Gambian society. |
Edited by - kayjatta on 15 Sep 2009 08:30:38 |
|
|
|
dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2009 : 09:47:05
|
Kayjatta, I found it ironical that the President will comment on murders in the street. Where was he when many citizens like Deyda was murdered a few feet from a police station? Were the police doing a good job then and now they are not?
I think what we need is for this President to be the President of the Gambian people regardless of whether they support him or not. It is not about him as a person but the position he occupies.
The symbol of the President is for the nation and not any party. One person killed is as significant as another person killed regardless of how they got killed.
Thanks
Demba |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
|
|
|
Jack
Belgium
384 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2009 : 10:02:28
|
| How many victims are there on the Gambian streets as a result of the Presidential convoys driving at high speed while the big man is trowing cookies and t-shirts to the masses ? |
|
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2009 : 10:31:22
|
quote:
Originally posted by dbaldeh
Kayjatta, I found it ironical that the President will comment on murders in the street. Where was he when many citizens like Deyda was murdered a few feet from a police station? Were the police doing a good job then and now they are not?
I think what we need is for this President to be the President of the Gambian people regardless of whether they support him or not. It is not about him as a person but the position he occupies.
The symbol of the President is for the nation and not any party. One person killed is as significant as another person killed regardless of how they got killed.
Thanks
Demba
True, that is the double standard Dbaldeh... |
|
|
|
Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2009 : 11:21:55
|
quote:
Originally posted by kayjatta
What is happeneing in the Gambia now is not uncommon in many third world countries. When there is an influx of automobiles into third world cities, like Banjul and its metro which have to co-exist with bicyclists and pedestrians in an environment with very little traffic regulations, the result is a deadly mix of high speed chaos.
In Beijing, drivers of automobiles (automobiles are the latest arrivals in china's booming and festering cities) often stop in the middle of traffic and engage in a fist fight . Pedestrians would often attempt to cross the deadly streets in the middle of traffic...
In the United States, there is a huge responsibility on drivers to look out for pedestrians, but in the Gambia and many third world cities, pedestrians have to look after themselves in the often chaotic and deadly streets...
The automobile is perhaps the new symbol of power, and while these kings (and queens) ply the roads at deadly speeds, the little guy walking on the roadside is a non-entity-a fair game...
It is a common happening in the Gambia for drivers to yell at approaching pedestrians, "do you wanna kill yourself? Sumaa laa tampogyee fie"!
What the Gambia government needs to do is robust traffic regulation, and that will have to include:
1. more road signs (e.g. pedestrian crossing, school zones, traffic lights, speed limits).
2. more traffic patrols by police officers who can immediately pullover violators and issue them tickets. The tickest must be paid to the municipal court or where applicable in serious cases the driver must appear in court for a trial, instead of the usual ten dalasis tip or bribery to the police officer. The court can then issue additional fine, suspension or revocation of driver's liscence, or impose a jail time...
3.get rid of police or military check points, except at border crossings. Subjecting Gambians to routine pat downs or visual inspections at checkpoints is not only a violation of privacy, but it also gives the security officers an advantage to carry out graft and abuse of duty. Checkpoints also give drivers a headsup and thereby plan ahead how to beat the police.
4. the police needs to be trained and equipped to detect drunk driving, over speeding, and other routine violations.
5. introducing a written test/exam (or some variation of it since many gambian drivers may not be forttunate enough to be literate)for all drivers in addition to the current road test .
In short, the Gambia's traffic laws and regulations must evolve to reflect the changing Gambian society.
Great post Kay; you should volunteer some of your time to advising the IGP.
You mistakenly overlooked the inherently corrupt nature of the Gambian traffic police. They are the textbook depiction of "a cow will graze where she is tied to." Revamping the whole unit will go a long way in addressing their woeful incompetence trickling down to the unmarked Gambian highways.
A significant portion of accidents could also be curbed by giving pedestrians the right of way at designated points (throw in some J-walking tickets). Enforcing a strict speed limit wouldn't hurt either. Our learned professor and his "high powered delegations" should lead the speed limit crusade by example. |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
|
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2009 : 11:38:34
|
| I totally agree with your points Prince. But advising the IGP? Ensa Jammeh, the guy they call Jesus? No thanks ... |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
