Mr.
President, since Saturday you have been in URR and CRR to inaugurate some
valuable projects which are very timely.
We
hope that you have the other regions in mind too to implement such projects.
Mr.
President,The Gambia is hosting the OIC summit in 2022, which is attracting
some investments and development projects by the Arab world, it will be a good
time for your government to take the opportunity to decentralise some of these
projects to other parts of country.
The
problem of NAWEC should be your number one priority to deal with as hosting
such a big event without electricity will be disastrous. Infrastructural
developments, good road networks and water; to name a few should also be on
your agenda.
Mr.
President, we join the whole country in sympatising with the victims of the
Basse fire incident which occurred early last week. Fire incidents have
recently been rampant in the country which should be a concern now.
Your
government should work hand-in-glove with the fire service department to make
sure that they get enough equipment to be able to respond to such incidences
and on time.
There
should also be proper planning and allocation of stalls when building markets
to avoid overcrowding which makes it very difficult for the fire tenders to
pass through during such disasters.
Mr.
President, we welcome the good gestures of yours; giving D2 million, D400,000
from Ousainou Darboe of UDP and D200,000 from Mama Kandeh of GDC and many more
individual donations made to the victims. More of such donations are needed and
we appeal to companies, organisations, philanthropists and individuals to come
forward and support the victims.
Mr.
President, your government should also intervene soonest to rebuild the Basse
market as the market also contributed to the economy.
The
location of the market is very strategic as some neighbouring countries like
Senegal and Guinea Conakry do come there for their shopping.
Mr.
President, anytime there is a fire incident, NAWEC is given part of the blame
for the electric connections. This is why it’s very important that NAWEC
officials embark on a tour to all the markets in the country and check on the
electric connections and change the old ones.
There
are lots of illegal connections in the markets too and all culprits should be
reprimanded and charged to court to put a stop to such practices.
Mr.
President, we commend your government for dropping the charges against four
journalists who were charged with incitement and also reopening their radio
stations.
It’s
good move but such should not occur again as arresting and charging of
journalists or closing down of media houses is bad for our democracy and
efforts made towards attaining press freedom in the country.
Journalists
on the other hand should be very responsible and make sure that they always
subscribe to professionalism and boost the etiquette of the profession.
Mr. President, we are still appealing to you to pardon and drop the charges of the 8 executive members of the pressure group 3 Years Jotna in the name of peace and national reconciliation.
Finally
Mr. President, many Gambians have expressed their dismay over the war of words
between imams: Bakawsu Fofana and Abdoulie Fatty.
The
minister of Religious Affairs and your adviser on religious affairs should
mediate between Imam Bakawsu Fofana and Imam Abdoulie Fatty to reunite them for
the sake of peace and Islam. This is not good for the image of the religion.
They should meet to settle their differences and open a new page.
Religious
leaders should show good example for people to emulate and not engage in verbal
fighting.
Good
day!
