National Assembly member accuses gov’t of ‘failed expectations’

“Gambians were happy, hoping that more companies and industries will be open to create job opportunities for youth,” said Hon Mamadou Bamba Gaye who came to the parliament through the ticket of the opposition National Reconciliation Party (NRP).

He said the expectations were “high” because the then new government had been accusing the first regime of been inefficient in terms of ruling The Gambia.

“I was among those who welcomed the change of government with the expectation that they will develop the country through the establishment of more companies and industries that will bring more job opportunities for Gambian youths,” Hon Gaye said during a recent political rally organised by the NRP in Bakau.

He claimed that at the time the second republic took over, a cup of sugar was 75b, a kilo of rice D2.50b, and a cup of vegetable cooking oil D1.50b.

“But today, how are the prices of these commodities; they have all skyrocketed like no one’s business,” Hon Gaye noted.“Prices of food commodities are high due to the high taxes levied on the commodities by the government.”

Other issues

Amie Sabally, NRP women’s chairperson, said the notion being propagated that men are lazy, not good cannot be true.

“If that is true, then women are not also good because men are our husbands, uncles, brothers, fathers and sons,” she said.

Pateh Baldeh, NRP information and communication officer, spoke about the importance of freedom of expression and access to information, saying these are “cornerstone to any sustainable democracy”.

“Access to information and freedom of expression are fundamental rights of all,” he said while calling on Gambians to vote for NRP for sustainable development come the 2016 presidential election.

Dullo Bah, NRP campaign manager, said: “The Gambia as a country is like a lost boat at the middle of an ocean and the boat captain loses direction and does not know where to go.”

He called on the people of Bakau to vote massively for the NRP party, for a change.

Ebrima Sanyang, an NRP militant, said Gambian youths and women should wake up and stand together as one people and unite for change.

Wandifa Suso, a youth leader, said the NPR leader, Hamat NK Bah, “has all the credibility to lead The Gambia”.

“He has the qualifications and has the people to effect change come 2016 presidential election,” he said.

Awa Bah, a supporter, said even though women form the majority in The Gambia, they are being used as “tools” while men are “frustrated, convicted and relieved from their job for nothing”.

Abdou Jadama, also a supporter, said the recent victory in the parliamentary by-election in Lower Saloum is a pointer that Gambians are tired and they need change.

He said the strategy used to get the Lower Saloum parliamentary seat will be the same one to defeat the incumbent APRC government, come the 2016 presidential election.