Mr.
President, the corona virus should be taken very seriously as it continues
spreading and killing more people in the world.
Reports
state that the coronovirus has affected over 100,000 people with over 3000
deaths in 60 countries so far.
Mr.
President, as the coronavirus started making its way to Africa with Egypt,
Tunisia, South Africa, Algeria, Cameroon, Togo , Nigeria and our very next door
neighbour Senegal having registered cases, there is need for The Gambia to
fasten her belt before we get affected too.
There
is need to increase border surveillance at all the border posts and also equip
the health personnel to make their work easy.
All
travellers coming into the country especially those from the affected
countries, Gambians or non-Gambians, diplomats, ministers must all be screened
and monitored closely.
Mr.
President, last week your government gave out 2.5 million U.S. dollars towards
the fight against of this deadly coronavirus, it’s timely that you boost the
health sector in these very difficult times.
The
health sector and the media should work together to educate and sensitise the
public on the preventive measures to contain the virus.
Whilst
we appeal to the international community for more assistance in the form of
equipment and medication to be on the safe side, let’s not forget our usual
prayers in the mosques and churches as we are a country of faith. Prevention is
better than cure and this coronovirus is a serious disease which needs to be
tackled.
Mr.
President, another serious issue on your table is the demolition of houses of
hundreds of people in the West Coast Region, without Physical Planning saying
anything until now.
It
is very sad that majority of them have been residing in these settlements for
more than two decades.
These
people should have been warned from the unset before they built their houses
and settled for decades.
Mr.
President, your government should have sympathy on those affected if not they
will be homeless.
If
your government really needs these areas for development purposes, then the
owners should be compensated by giving them lands and money to rebuild their
houses.
Physical
Planning should know that they are supposed to stop people from building at an
early stage with warning letters copied to the Ministry of Lands, Attorney
General Chambers and alkalolu and not to wait till people settled for decades
before coming for demolition.
It
always leads to fighting as it’s very sad to demolish properties already built
with large amounts of monies.
Finally
Mr. President, your government should allow competitions and encourage level
playing ground within the business community. No one should be given
preferential treatment when it comes to paying of taxes on the basic
commodities. Many businessmen are crying foul play in that aspect.
GRA
should be regularly visiting all stores to making sure that all the importing
entities are paying their duties, if not, it can affect the country’s economy.
Gone
are the days of nepotism and favourism
Good
day!
