(Monday, 08th February 2010 issue)
President Yahya Jammeh on Thursday February 4th sacked four of his Cabinet Ministers, a press release from the Office of the President, monitored on the GRTS stated.
Those relieved of their posts are Lamin Bojang of Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Ismaila Sambou of Local Government and Lands, who had served in that post since March 2005, Antouman Saho of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters and Nancy Njie of Tourism and Culture.
In the same vein, the President has appointed the following as Cabinet Ministers:
Dr. Mamadou Tangara, as the new Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Dr. Tangara was the Coordinator of all European Union funded programmes and projects in The Gambia, and a Lecturer at the University of The Gambia. Mr. Alhagie A. Cham, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communications and Infrastructure as the new Minister of Communications, Lamin Kabba Bajo, The Gambia's ambassador to Iran and Qatar, who also served in previous cabinet positions (Interior, Local Government, Youths and Sports and Foreign Affairs) as the new Minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Babucarr H.M. Jallow, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment as the new Minister in charge of that portfolio, Ms. Fatou Mass-Jobe, Group Head, Retail Banking, Bank PHB as the new Minister for Tourism and Culture, while Pierre Tamba, The Gambia's ambassador to Cuba is the new Minister for Local Government and Lands.
The President has also re-assigned Yusupha Kah, who was the Minister of Trade, Industry and Employment to the newly-created Ministry of Economy, National Planning and Industrial Development.
In another development, the portfolio of Works, Construction and Infrastructure has been assigned to the Office of the President.
"All ministers," the release added, "are urged to live up to expectations and ensure maximum delivery on national development programmes which government has embarked upon."
While warning that there would be no room for complacency and no compromise for non performance, the release assured all ministers of "maximum support to ensure the achievement of our collective development aspirations."