KARPOWERSHIP GIFT RAMADAN FOODSTUFF TO COMMUNITIES IN KAIRABA AVENUE.

By Ousman A. Marong

Karpowership a Turkish electrical Company thus are partnering with Nawec (National Electrical and Water Company) in term of effective electricity power supply in the country.

 They today Thursday; 30 distributed food items worth over two million dalasis to communities in  Kairaba Avenue and it's surrounding towns as part of their first Ramadan gift.

The donated food items included bags of rice; sugar etc to two hundred families.

The gifts witness the inauguration of Karpowership electrical sea vessel power supply which is ducked along the river side in Banjul.

This is the first of its kind the company has started partnering and operating in the country, giving food items for free as a charitable initiate with the purpose of helping the needy.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony; Fatou Camara of The Fatu Network as the country director of Karpowership revealed that the organization recently made some Intervention in energy sector; among them she cited the recent MoU being signed between Nawec (National Electricity and Water Company) and the Turkish Karpowership Company.

Mr. Yankuba Mamburay; project manager Karpowership said "Karpowership has connected it's 36 MW "Karadeniz Powership Koray Bey", to The Gambian national grid a few weeks ago."

"It has fleet of over 3.800 MW operating all around the world in seven countries."

No! country can develop without correct stable electricity said Mr. Mamburay.

"The company is committed to community development and it will continue to enhage in social projects that will help growth of local people as well as providing educational tools."

He noted that Karpowership will continue to provide all Gambians with sustainable; reliable; and affordable electricity power supply for many years to come.

Mr. Mamburay concluded the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked muslims to share and care within themselves especially during Ramadan.

He thank both Karpowership and the government together with Nawec and the people of The Gambia for the initiative.

Fatou Camara in the middle and Mr. Mamburay on far left.(photo credit ousmana A. Marong)

"Never Again Can We Have Dictatorship In The Gambia"
(TRRC) Boss Mr. Baba Galleh Jallow

By Ousman A. Marong


"Never again can we have dictatorship in The Gambia" said Mr. Baba Galleh Jallow Chairman for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRRC).

Mr. Jallow made this remarks on Tuesday in a press conference held in Tango's head office.
He said the mandate of the (TRRC) is "Never again can we have dictatorship in The Gambia".

He noted that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRRC) is a committee set up for restoring justice in the country after the raining over of the  authoritative rule by former president Yaya Jammeh.

He retorted that the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to identified victims of the gross human right violation under the ex-president Jammeh to be ensure justice they deserved as victims".

He said "people who were identified as victims of gross human right violations are to be invited to give their statements and testimonies about their experiences"

Many will see the (TRRC) as crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy in the country; he continued to add by saying despite some flaws; it is generally (although not universally).
He said section 14 B of the (TRRC) act is to set up the promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation among Gambians.

"The (TRRC) will be divided into various sections so as to help the job done ease; we will invite partners like Tango; Civil Society groups, lawyers, documentation; Community leaders and Religious leaders as well."
23 (E) of the TRRC act empowers us to act and get to the outreach people.

Mr. Jallow noted that "there are delay's coming from the government in distributing funds to the TRRC Committee; but quick to add that they are working hard on it and hopefully it will be done soon."

 

    Dr. Baba Galleh in the middle.
  (photo credit) Ousman A. Marong.

“OJ JALLOW: AGRICULTURE, A LUCRATIVE CAREER”

By Yankuba Manneh

 

The Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association of the Gambia dubbed ASTAGAM has officially launched its twelve years of existence on Wednesday 9^th May, 2018 at the Regional Education Directorate, Brikama. The ceremony which attracted students and lecturers from both Gambia College and the University of The Gambia, the invited dignitaries and cross section of the society was commemorated on the theme: “PURSUE A CAREER IN AGRICULTURE.”

In his launching speech, the President of the association, Mr. Yorro Jallow gave the genesis of his association, citing that its membership is restrictively open to only Agricultural Science teachers in the country. 

‘ASTAGAM was formed in 2006 to address issues affecting the teaching of Agricultural Science in schools, and to foster a strong sense of unity and collaboration between Agricultural Science teachers in Gambian schools,’ he said.  President Jallow however recounted some of his association’s remarkable breakthroughs including the planting of economic trees in school project taking shape nationwide is meant to eradicate hunger and poverty, while lamented over what he called ‘the surmountable challenges’ persistently confronting their operations.

 He further implored on the ministries of Basic and Secondary Education and the Agriculture and other agencies to support them in overcoming the obstacles the association is currently facing with especially a functional office.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Adama Jimba Jobe, the Dupty Permanent Secretary hailed the initiative noting that its emergence is indeed timely and very appropriate, as well as linked to the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).

 He argued that teachers are agents of change, and therefore they are very instrumental in actualizing a hunger free Gambia with a positive change of attitude.

 He opined that teachers have a highly pregnant role in the attainment of a nation free of hunger and poverty, and schools and school going children are fundamental.  DPS Jobe urged ASTAGAM to be steadfast, patient, and perseverant in the execution of its functions. 

 Jobe remarked that the fight against hunger and poverty is necessary because he believes that a hungry nation is an angry nation. He challenged ASTAGAM to broaden its membership to bring on board all the Agricultural Science teachers in Gambian schools for greater output and efficiency.

The famous Gambian Kora maestro, Jaliba Kuyateh and father of the association expressed satisfaction of the giant and grave step taken by ASTAGAM to combat hunger and poverty through practical agriculture starting from the school level.

 He however stated that government should come up with a vibrant and productive agro-based industry that would help create lots of jobs for young people and improve lives and livelihoods of the people thereby reducing poverty and hunger.

In his address, honourable Omar J. Jallow, the minister for Agriculture and guest speaker of the day thanked the executive of ASTAGAM for what coming up with such a laudable initiative. Minister Jallow said the agricultural sector is hugely lucrative, and worth pursuing a meaningful career, and therefore the involvement and participation of young people is crucial in the collective fight against hunger and poverty

. He called on young people to be patient, tolerant, open-minded, accepting, perseverant, and avoid being unreasonably confrontational in our match to make the sector more attractive and sustainable.

 He reassured his ministry’s resolve and commitment to end importation of foodstuff especially rice in The Gambia; the country invests 80 million Dollars on rice import annually. To curb this phenomenon, his ministry will entice investors to promote and strengthen rice cultivation, as well as horticulture and livestock farming. “This year alone the ministry has built sixty gardens with bore holes, wells and fence for women across the country,” he proudly said.

 OJ Jallow reiterated his ministry’s will to diversifying into massive rice production as the rice production has suffered a significant decline (45% to 15%) from 1994 to 2016. He posited that rice production at Jahally Pacharr in CRR will be maximized for the realization of food selfsufficiency and independence.

 In achieving this, the army has a pivotal role to play referencing India and Pakistan.  Jallow enjoined the students to take up their studies very serious while challenged Gambia College and the UTG to inculcate into the minds of young people the significance of agriculture especially in the fight against malnutrition and its related diseases in The Gambia.

This remarkable event was punctuated and characterised by questions and answers session as highly critical issues on the growth and advancement of the Agricultural sector in the country were raised and discussed.

                                         The picture of the Agricultural Minister O.j Jallow (photo credit Author Yankuba

                                         Manneh)

JAKKO FC LIFT ESSAU TROPHY

By Ousman A. Marong

Jokko football club of Fass Ngaja Choi , Nuimi North Bank Region made their first grab of a giant trophy at Essau Youths and sport Development Committee (EYSDC) final. The game played at Essau Primary School football field in a recent final was well attended by fans and football enthusiasts whose cheering translate their best moment into euphoria.

The final was centered between Fass Ngaja Choi and New resident of Sami fc. The game was characterized by a ball to ball possession for both teams, but Jokko fc took the lead in the 34^th minute of the first half courtesy of Alagie Bah.

It all came through a long sent ball from the mid-field in between three central defenders of Sami, while Ousainou Sowe slowed down the speed motion of the ball. 

He passed Alagie Sowe who was in good position and smacked the ball into the net with a powerful shot making the scores with one nil in favor of Jokko fc.

Coming from the locker room, Sami’s Faburama Sinagateh kept repeatedly sent threatening balls to Jokko’s goalkeeper, looking for an equalizer, but none to came into effect. 

Jokko double their scoring line in the 40^th minute of the second courtesy of Ousainou Bah it was a sent race ball from the mid-field which he chased and later tab the ball into the net making it two.

Bunama Sinagateh created many goal scoring chances but putting the ball into the net was the only hitch, because Jokk’s defense line was very steady and solid defending.

Speaking to reporters in a post-match interview, Mustapha Kah Sami’s head coach admitted that Jokko were a better as they have good strikers who can do the scoring their given time, adding that in football if you do not give it you concede it. 

Cherno Omar Bobb head Coach for Jokko fc who spoke with relief as his victorious boy lifted their giant trophy at a height hailed his team from making him and their fans proud again. 

Being the Champions of the 2017-2018 EYSDC Norrant, Jokko fc pocketed D20, 000.00 with a giant trophy, while Sami fc went home with 15,000.00 as runners up.

 

 picture of the giant trophy (credit Ousman A. Marong)

Gambia’s first GOPSI troop from Saudi Arabia complain about financial benefits

By Ousman A. Marong

Eighty five soldiers of The Gambia Armed Forces who returned home after benefiting from the recently concluded Saudi Arabia training package have expressed their dissatisfaction about the benefits.

A source in the arm forces said the training package has no doubt some unfair play to the troop, adding that it is a disgrace for them.

The source further stated: “We can no longer bear it and would want to let the cat out of the bag.”

The source added that there is a lot of division and nepotism in the army caused by some so-called senior officers which should be a thing of the past in the new democratic dispensation.

He described the disclosure as the launching of what he referred to as exposing hypocrisy and despotism in the army.

 “Can you imagine, we seat in the plane from The Gambia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 16 good hours and after having spent one month there only to be paid D15, 000 upon arrival as member of the country’s national army?”

He questioned how on earth should they be paid for only D15, 000 as members of the country’s national army, while their counterparts at the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) who just embarked on a similar training for three month in the neighbouring Senegal and are paid D20, 000 per month with an extra weekly pocket money of D15, 000 during their stay in Dakar.

The military source retorted that senior officers are behind the selection for the training package to both Saudi Arabia and Senegal, saying the selection was very bias as it was not based on merits but only based on ‘whom you know"

 “All they are doing in the name of reforming the army by providing international training packages to the soldiers is a mere cover-up of their inefficiency and give President Barrow the impression that they are doing their work,” he noted.

He pointed out that President Barrow should try to build some trust between him and the army in order to end the mandate of the Ecoming forcers in the country so that the peace and security of the country can be in safer hands of Gambia Armed Forces instead of the Ecoming.

The Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Malick Sanyany refuted the allegation, adding that the military works through directions and proper channels and that they are a regularized institution.

“GAF is not a small institution and therefore it makes no sense for the allegers to complain much about the D15, 000 payments. Do the math yourself to see, 85 multiply by 15 how much would it give you.”

 He explained that the training package was sponsored by the Islamic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and not The Gambia governments.

“It is wrong for them to allege that the selection was unfair and was based on pick and choose,” Sanyang stated.

The military spokesperson concluded that the training package was a spot shot type by the Saudi government which includes accommodation, feeding, air ticket among others, so at the end of the program the officials decided to give each D15, 000 as pocket money, “and I see no reason for complaining about the payment.”