Editorial Our Hazardous Drainage System Gutters Still Uncovered

Editorial 
Our Hazardous Drainage System
Gutters Still Uncovered

We are constrained to run to the subject of The Gambia’s antiquated drainage system.
It is unacceptable that more than half a century after independence, our drainage system remain in hazardous state.

It is not uncommon to see uncovered gutters in the towns and cities.
This environmental concern and subject has been editorialized on number of times without any response the relevant agencies.

Gambia has moved from the days of silence when uncovered gutters or open drainage trenches are ignored like no one’s business.
We cannot pretend that all these are the making and the responsibilities of the colonial masters after having our own blood and flesh on the saddle to run the country in accordance with our aspirations.

Today, we have advanced as a nation from the day when the Union Jack was lowered for a fluttering Gambia flag, yet the independence gutters still serving some part of Banjul remained uncovered polluting the city.

Let them consider the subject of covered gutters as a matter of priority in the development agenda as it affects the environment and our health as a people.
The eyesore which such open gutters constitute would be eliminated when they are covered and we too would be at par with universal sanitation standards.
Harboring colonial day features depicting underdevelopment, backward and haphazard drainage system should now be history.

With some efforts and additional funds for our budget, this gutters can be covered much to our relief.
Perhaps some communicable disease outbreaks can be traced to this blemish in our city management.

Covered gutters would add to our stature as a modern city or even countrywide. Until that is done, let us see ourselves as semi-modern as we seek a means of reversing the status quo.

One way by which the plastic pollution can be managed is covering our gutters. This way there would be no spaces for irresponsible persons to dump their plastic into.
It is only when there is no place to dump plastic wastes and other domestic used products that people can be compelled to use garbage bins.

The fight against plastic pollution requires concerted and coordinated efforts such as the aforementioned suggestion.
The amount of plastic waste dumped inside these gutters is alarming.

We cannot remain hopeless just to avoid doing something to cover our gutters.
The beautiful Banjul skyline and the beautiful sandy beaches of the coastal Gambia would be meaningless if the gutters of our capital and towns remain uncovered with their sometime unbearable stench stand shoulder to shoulder with these architectural masterpieces. 

The media shall continue to remind the authorities. These are development shortcomings because from all indications, they hardly consider covered gutters as a feature of development.

                                                  Ousman A. Marong. (photo credit)

                                                 Mariama Jallow Taranga FM.                                                    

Keneba Youth Environmentalist plan more than 11,00 Gmelina Trees

Keneba Youth Environmentalists Plant more than 13,000 Gmelina Trees

By Ousman A. Marong

Keneba Youth Association for Environmental Development and Sustainability (KYAEDS) have on Saturday planted about 13,000 Gmelina trees in Keneba village, Kiang West district, Lower River region.

The initiative which started years back by the youth of the village is registered under the community forestry project under the Ministry of Forestry and Environment.

The historic weekend tree planting exercise attracted the support of soldiers from Pakaliba Military Camp, Jarra, and Lower River Region who participated in a bid to protect and boost the village’s forest cover.

According to the President of KYAEDS, Abdoulie Minteh, the tree planting exercise was necessitated by the level of damage to the environment as a result of cutting down of trees, bush fire among others.

He stated that activities that are not friendly to the ecosystem undermine sustainable agricultural practice too, commending the Department of Forestry and Environment under the Minister of Environment and Forestry for their support

Kebba Janneh Ceesay, youth leader at KYAEDS described tree planting as a very good mitigation for climate change.

He said Climate Change causes environmental degradation in many developing countries and The Gambia not an exception.

Representative of the Department of Forestry, Mr. Babanding Sanyang said described the exercise as a remarkable example of a community coming together to make a change for the betterment of everyone’s future.

Hailing the efforts of the youth association Sanyang said: “The tree planting exercise is a step in the right direction towards achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) 13 and 15.

He commended the community for taking good care of their forest, cautioning them to be fire belting the forest on an annual basis to prevent the calamity of bush fire.

The tree planting exercise has seen some 3k tree planted, and see areas being given the support to rejuvenate and to become the once beautiful Keneba that is all our hearts said Mr. Sanyang.

“What an example we are showing to the younger generation, those that we will rely on to make positive changes for all our futures. From small trees grow big forest,” he concluded.

In her part the president of Keneba Women association Pakaya Ceesay hailed the historic tree planting event in Keneba to restore the depleted forest and replace some needed trees in the forest.

She added: “I am extremely proud of the community and all the people who came together to make this tree planting exercise successful.”

Bakary Corr, a representative from The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) commended all those who have contributed their quota towards making the tree planting a successful event.

“I humbly thank all the people of Keneba for their wonderful civil-military relationship with GAF,” Said Corr.

The event was attended by the Alkalo of the village, Mr Hijinkay Danso, women kafos and elders.

The President Abdoulie Minteh in the Middle. (photo credit
Ousman A. Marong)

 

 GAMBIANS IN BRAZIL WANT PRESIDENT BARROW TO APPOINT NEW HONORARY CONSUL

By Ousman A. Marong

The executive Members of The Gambian United in Sao Paulo, Brazil have called on President Adama Barrow and his government to intervene in their affairs as they are without a representative or consulate since 2005.

The last consular who was serving as an honorary consular was under the former regime of ex-president Yahya Jammeh.

The former honorary consular, Withelm Agricola, a Brazilian businessman was identified by the former president.

Mr. Agricola passed away in early 2016 and since then The Gambia government did not make any replacement of him in the South American country.

The Gambian community in Sao Paulo want Guilherme Agricola son to the late Withelm Agricola to serve as honorary consulate.

“We want Guilherme Agricola to replace his late father as The Gambia’s honorary consular in Brazil.” Said Ousainou Joof, President of the Gambian Community in Brazil.

Mr. Joof revealed that they prefer Guilherme as a replacement for his late father as The Gambian consular in Brazi.  

He said the late consular was a good representative for them in Sao Paulo, describing him as trustworthy and respectful.

Currently, Brazil maintains 139 embassies abroad as well as 203 consular excluding in The Gambia.

Edrisa Kuyateh, secretary general for The Gambian Community in Brazil disclosed to News-BiteGambia that Brazil’s general election is scheduled to be held in October 2018.

“We are appealing to the government of The Gambia to help us replace the c onsular to ameliorate our predicament,” Said Mr. Kuyated.

Mr. Kuyateh added that the Brazilians will be going to the polls in October 7 and has fears about the future as the outcome is unpredictable.

He disclosed that they are facing troubles in Brazil due to lack of a consulate,  noting that even if they go in search for Brazilian green card, officials always told them that they cannot be issued the document  because they have no consular in Brazil.

He said the Brazilian government always urge them to try engage The Gambia government in order to have a replacement for their consular in the country.

Muhammed Bayo, the PRO of The Gambian community in Brazil said he had spoken to Ousainou Darboe Vice President of the Gambia, then Minister of Foreign Affairs and Gambians Abroad

He said they contacted Ousainou when he was serving as the foreign affairs minister, but he gave them his contact, including his email address and advised them to write officially.

“We have written to him as he advised us to do and it’s almost 7 months now without any response.”

In an email correspondence with Mr. Guilheme the son of the late honorary consular he told News Bite Gambia: “Gambians in Brazil are mostly irregular migrants who have entered Brazil without been registered in accordance with the protocol of the county.”

He said they have also contacted The Gambian Embassy in U.S and asked the Gambian officials to help them, but they were asked to pay $52

ousainou Joof President on top, Edrisa Kuyateh on red shirt and Muhammed Bayo on seat. (photo credit whats-app sent)

BEAKERS IN THE GAMBIA ON STRIKE

By Ousman A. Marong

Bread bakers in the Gambia on yesterday withheld their services over a D1050 increase in the price of flour. The price` of flour now sells at D1050, from its previous price of D900.

Their strike action has led to acute shortage of bread from the streets of the greater Banjul areas.

 The few sells who have bread in stock have suddenly hike the price of their commodities.

 A loaf of bread which until yesterday sells at D7 now sells at D8 while those selling at D6 now selling now attract D7.

 The sudden shortage has started creating panic among bread consumers.

In an interview with the president of the beakers Association in Latrikunda Sabiji, and Tabokoto Muhammed Salieu a Mauritanian national, explained that the increase generally in most brands of flour, from D900 to D1050 on the market render them unable to break even with the current price of bread, he added that the attempt by the government to reduce the price of bread from D7 to D6, attracted condemnation from the public who are in dire need for bread consumption day-in-day out he noted that they are embarking on the one week sit-down strike, to draw the attention of public to these challenges and the need to increase the price of bread and to seek government intervention in order to remedy out the situation.

According to ModouYerrowSalieuJallow another baker in Tabokoto who revealed that they are trying to make consultation with the Trade Minister in order to solve the problem out, adding that efforts were made to reach out to the minister but they were informed that the minister was not in town but her assistance gave them assurance in meeting up with the minister latest on Friday.

 He adduce that they are to meet with the minister on Friday in order to tackle the  menace.

BintaJallow a bread consumer said “her Fula companion in the business industry are always with the believed and habit of putting in D5 on a business and expect to score a profit of D25, which is not normal and it’s forbidden in business sector she concluded.”

MariatouGibba, another bread consumer in Kaw Junction who revealed that she can’t go without bread, adding that this whole mess comes from the Trade minister, saying why a trade minister should interfere with bread prices when she knew she cannot control the price.

 She further added that, it is only in the Gambia where one can become a minister and start to enjoy with his or her family at the expense of the tax payers money, without considering the poor.

However efforts were made to reach to the minister herself she was contacted via a whatsApp chat with newsbite Gambia's Ousman A. Marong but she said she was not in town and that she was in a meeting.

Dr. Isatou Touray (photo credit from her facebook handle)

ZERO CRIME IN THE GAMBIA: NEW ACTING IGP

 By Ousman A. Marong

The new acting (IGP) Inspector General of Police Alhagi Mamoud Jobe has stated that the police administration's resolves to "deal with any threat to the peace and security of the country."

 According to him, the police service will remain professional and abide by its constitutional mandate of maintaining peace in the build up to combat crime rates in the country.

 Inspector jobe made this comments at a press conference held at the police headquarters in Banjul, thus saw his first public appearance with members of the press.

The idea of the press conference, he said was for him to pick up where his predecessors left.

 "The Gambia is a peaceful and secure country and shall remain so he noted adding that Gambian's should feel free to go about their normal duties as the police will deal with any threats to the peace and security of the country, it ever been enjoying before."

 He noted that the police will deal with any person or person who there to disturb the prevailing peace in the country.

 Asked about the whereabouts of the 5 arrested Police Intervention Units (P.I.U) who were arrested under the 72 hours without been taken to court? Mr. Jobe answered in the affirmative saying thoes P.I.U officers were suspended and the investigation is ongoing and soon they will appear before the court.

News bite Gambia’s Ousman A. Marong  asked whether the police should attend to peaceful demonstrations with live ammunitions, and under which circumstances should they open fire should in case things got out of hand?

He responded saying "Yes section 20 of the police act gave powers to the police to attend to riots with Ak47 ruffles each loaded with 7 live rounds, but the first step that the police should use should be opening tear gas and opening live rounds should be the last resort.

New acting IGP (Photo credit Ousman A.Marong)

President Barrow Visits Faraba Victims
By Ousman A. Marong

President Adama Barrow has visited injured victims of the Faraba Banta sand miming protesters who are currently receiving treatment at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul.

Three people were confirmed death in the aftermath of the clashed between peaceful protesters and the Police Intervention Unit (P.I.U), while four people sustained varying degrees of injury.

18 are currently receiving treatment, while 8 others are to be discharged soon.
The President who was in state house when the incident occurred, had on Friday 22 visited the bereaved families.

He also visited the site of the sand miming area accompanied by a number of government officials.
He was briefed on the current situation by the Chairman of the  (VDC) Village Development Committee Mr. Nfally Jarjusey, where he sympathized with them and wished those hospitalized a speedy recovery.

He promised that government will foot the medical bills of the injured persons, as efforts are to be made to needed an overseas treatment to go for medical treatment.

president Barrow in hospital (photo credit Pa Modou Cham)

WE WANT OUR FAIR SHARE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FORT SAID THE RESIDENTS OF BARRA.

By Ousman A. Marong

Fort Bullen is a historical side in Barra situated along the estuary of the river side.
It was built by the British in (1826) to thwart the efforts of some European slaves trade.
In early (1970s) it was declared a National Monument and in 2003, along with the six-Gun Battery in Banjul, was inscribed as a World Heritage site (UNESCO).

However the people of Barra have renewed their call to the Adama Barrow led government to quickly look into their affairs regarding the fort before it is too late.

Speaking to our Newsbite Gambia the Alkalo of Barra Alhagie Baboucarr Faye disclosed that the fort is not yielding or fetching them nothing fruithful since it's establishment up to date."
The reason I said this is because; since the fort has started operating there is no youth from Barra who is working there.
He said the former head of state has put in place someone from Banjul who is still overseeing the affairs of the fort.
"Infact at some point the fort was nearly to be turned into an Army Camp by the former president", he said.

"To his seeing since the fort is centered in Barra then the youths of Barra should also have their fair share with the way the fort is operating", or there should be symbiosis between the youths of Barra and the National Center For Arts and Culture together with the government as well in term of youth and employment"

"It is so unfair on both the National Center For Arts and Culture and the former head of state to handpicked someone from no where to come and stairs the affairs of the fort while the youths of Barra are here and can do it, Mr. Faye retorted.

He asserted that when it comes to the best explanation of the fort it is only the people of Barra who can best explain it, so why is it that outsiders are benefiting from the fort and not the people of Barra?

Asked why the late query since the people of Barra knew about all this hiccups to wait till the last minute and decided to lunch their complains to relevant authorities?

He answered in the affirmative saying the people of Barra are a kind people and love welcoming stranger's.
He emphasized that if you go to all the historical places in the country it is their youths who are at the helm of affairs, so why cant the people of Barra too do the same? he question.

Faye lamented out that Barra is a sea port and so close to the capital, and therefore in the whole country you cannot have such a town  so close to the capital like that so why are we neglected?

"Barra could have been well organized and developed than Banjul,  because Banjul is just a passerby town and Barra is a sea  crossing point next to capital thus connect us to  Senegal."

"There is no town or sector in this whole country which is putting that much money into the coffers of the state than Barra, even Farafenni is not doing that much as Barra is doing."

The VDC Chairman for Barra Mr. Alfusainey Joof said "The fort was a reserve land for the people of Barra through the King and not to the National Center For Arts and Culture."
Mr. Hassum Ceesay coordinator for National Center For Arts and Culture said "The fort is not the property of Barra, but the state.

He said the fort is universal value belonging to the state and not the people of Barra.
"The National Center For Arts and Culture is part of government, whose aims and objective are to promote national heritage sites in the country"

He said both  fort bullen, James Island, Stone Circle etc are both under the supervision of the National Center For Arts and Culture through the government of The Gambia."

   He concluded that the National Center For Arts and Culture have good cordial relationship with the people of Barra and they normally work together for the management and the well being of the site.

NAWEC HOPEFUL TO ELECTRIFY THE ENTIRE GAMBIA
By Ousman A. Marong
Managing Director of National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), Baba Fatojo has said that hopefully within one year time the whole country would be electrified, " he said.
  He said the problem of water and electricity in the country should now be a thing of the past, saying now that electricity is the vehicle for development.

   Fatojo made this remarks at a recent press briefing held in NAWEC headquarters in Kanifing.
   "There are other projects to be running within the greater Banjul areas, with extension and hopefully within one year time the whole country be electrified, " he said.

   He asserted that NAWEC has gone a long a way towards improving services, and we went through some many challenging moments from 2017 to early 2018.

  He disclosed that NAWEC now have more than enough water and electricity supply capacity and have shifted their focus from transmission and distribution and working tirelessly in ensuring to end the problem of water electricity.

  He informed journalists that NAWEC had entered into an agreement with a Company call Karpowership Company that is now fully operating, coupled with the ongoing projects that are now running.

  He further said that the 9 mega watt is now in full service and they are now on the commissioning of another at Kotu power station.

  "We have connnected the greater Nuimi areas and they are now benefiting from 24 hours uninterrupted electricity supply."

  He explained that through rural electrification they have also extended from Barra to Kerewan with a view to bridging that gab,

The NAWEC boss said they have also made extension between Illiasa and Farafenni, hoping that in one year the entire North Bank Region will be enjoying 24 hour uninterrupted electricity supply too.
  He stated that they are going to extend connection from Farafenni to Basse, while the same project will again be extend from Bansang and connect it to Basse.

  He revealed that NAWEC signed $41 million grant at a donor conference held in Brussels and some of the money is going to be used in financing a project call Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization project.

  He said they are also working with World Bank and West Africa Power Pool in order to serve the whole country, adding there will be another lane to connect from Kaolack through Banjul and this will ensure easy accessibility and flexibility to connect the entire nation.

 

NAWEC MD Fatoje in the middle during the press briefing

held in NAWEC headquaters. ( Photo Credit Ousman A. Marong).