It is no hidden secret that the selfish and greedy attitude of some of our shopkeepers leaves much too be desired.
Mr President, it is high time the two governments of The Gambia and Senegal alongside officials of the Forestry Departments and security agents work together to stop illegal trade of timber and cannabis, which mostly find their way through the porous borders into The Gambia.
Last week, as reported in the media, there was a violent confrontation between the Separatist Movement of Democratic Forces for Casamance (MFDC) rebels and Senegalese Forces, which claimed the lives of three Senegalese soldiers. The clash ensued after it was alleged that ECOMIG forces pursued a truck loaded with timber.
This is not the first time such confrontation has occurred between these timber smugglers, some of whom are believed to be members of the MFDC.
People should do away with anything of imminent threat and which can bring trouble between the two countries; who share many things in common.
Mr President, it is high time the two governments sought support from the international community; equipment and training to protect their people and goods with a view to eliminating illegal trafficking of drugs and timber.
It’s fact that MFDC got most of their funding through the trafficking of timber and illegal drugs.
Mr President, the alarming rate of Jihadist activities in the West African sub-region calls for concern. West African countries should be wary of jihadist groups and coups, which still are rearing their ugly head in the region that has an infamous history of military takeovers.
Currently, a Russian private company, Group Wagner has a team of fully trained mercenaries numbering 1000 operating in Mali.
Security is sacrosanct in any country’s development. Therefore, equipping our security forces with latest gadgets will only enable them operate as expected. Our security agents should be well motivated and equipped with more working machines such as CCTV cameras to man our porous borders effectively. This also brings to mind the need to beef up security to protect more communities in the Fonis.
Mr President, ensuring that citizens are provided with the most accessible and affordable cost of living is key. Government should do its utmost to support Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) to stem delay in delivery containers with food items. The more it stays at the ports will also reflect on the prices of food commodities.
Finally Mr President, Gambians have and continue to applaud our gallant Scorpions for their brilliant performance in the ongoing Afcon 2021 tournament in Cameroon. Gambia got lowest ranking sitting at150th in FiFA world rankings. With this extra ordinary performance in Cameroon, the Scorpions are expected to make significant progress in FifA’s next month world rankings.
Congratulations to you, the Chief patron of the Football Federation for increasing their bonuses; they received each 10,000 US dollars as they reached quarter finals of the tournament.
Since the start of the preliminary rounds, your government chartered flight for them which never happened in football history.
Let’s not forget that football s investment; the more you invest the more you get good results.
Continue to support the team, it will yield dividends one day.
Special commendation to the coach and technical team for the job well done.
Good day!