Former
Interior minister and onetime President Adama Barrow’s adviser, Mai Ahmad
Fatty, has in a statement yesterday called on Barrow to act with boldness, saying
he is the commander in chief and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the state and
should declare state of emergency amid covid-19 pandemic.
The
leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) party commended the government for
the initiatives, but argues they are not doing enough.
“President
Barrow, work with the National Assembly and declare a State of Emergency
without delay,” he urges. “Impose a sensible curfew regime with other effective
measures to enforce new public health directives. Deploy microscopic monitoring
of the 500 million dalasi emergency fund, ensuring that monies are being
prudently spent to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic.”
The
Wuli politician advised Mr. Barrow to reach out to businesses and NGOs for
partnership and exploit our international goodwill to secure urgent help for
our country. He added that President Barrow should also engage and involve
municipal councils, as veritable partners in grass-roots community containment
and prevention measures. “Put politics aside. Lives are at stake,” he warned.
“Hospitals,
clinics and healthcare workers are still poorly equipped. Communities are still
without auxiliary support. The peril intensifies with each passing day. The
fact that we do not know how and where the first corona casualty contracted the
virus is dangerously troubling. We do not know how many people he may have
infected with the multiplier effect.”
He
said there could be more infections and we shouldn’t wait for more fatalities.
With
the typical nature of Gambian society, he continued that they need more
measured response and utter decisiveness.
“This
is a time for bold leadership. Act Mr. President. Declare a State of Emergency.
Impose a sensible curfew that is both realistic and enforceable. This is a time
when citizens must be protected against themselves.”
