Gambian Delegation Returns From ECOWAS Parliamentary Session

The delegation comprises Hon. Ablie Suku Singhateh of Lower Baddibu; Hon. Sulayman Joof of Serrekunda West; Hon. Sellu Bah of Basse; Hon. Haddy Nyang-Jagne of Jeshwang; and Hon. Momodou Sanneh, minority leader and NAM for Kiang West.

The session, which brought together parliamentarians from all over West Africa, was aimed at sensitising citizens of member countries on how the parliament functions.

Speaking to this reporter shortly their return, Hon. Ablie Suku Singhateh, a member of the ad-hoc committee for direct election and adult suffrage at the EXCOWAS parliament, said that the parliament is currently on transition up to 2010.

He said by 2010, it will have changed to direct election of its members on the basis universal adult suffrage.

According to Hon. Singhateh, this development is so important that the parliament finds it necessary to sensitise the citizens of member countries on its procedures.

"The committee embarked on a study tour of Kigali, South Africa and the EU parliament in Brussels in a bid to know how East Africa and European Union parliament operate," Hon. Singhateh.

He added that during the sittings of the parliament, Hon. Sulayman Joof, who heads the Gambian delegation to the ECOWAS parliament, presented the country report of The Gambia. He said the parliamentarians welcomed the report.

Hon. Singhateh, who is also the APRC Desk Officer in North Bank Region, did not forget the President's call for people to go back to the land, saying such a call by the president is indeed for the benefit of all and sundry.

"The people of North Bank Region are so impressed with the level of development in the region over the last 14 years that we are ever ready to respond the President's call," he said.

He assured the President of a bumper harvest in his region that will be unprecedented in the history of the APRC party.