Residents of the Maka Farafenni of Upper Badibou in the North Bank Region had hailed President Adama Barrow for his timely intervention support by providing them with 36 water solar panels and heavy duty water pumping machine worth over D564,750.00 to address the water problem in the community.

Following a breakdown of the only community borehole in the Maka Farafenni community and published in The Voice Newspaper calling for support from the government philanthropists, the President of The Gambia and Secretary General of the National People’s Party has responded positively to address the suffering of the dense population community with an additional and modern system to address the issue of water supply in the community. 

The commendation was made on Thursday, 22nd June 2023 after the successful installation of solar panels and a new pumping machine with a bigger capacity in the community. 

Speaking to The Voice newspaper Correspondent in North Bank Region in the Maka Farafenni village, Alhji Modou Touray, President of the Water Committee expressed delight to the Head State for the humanitarian assistant render to the community. 

He said before the President comes to help, the breakdown of the only borehole in the village has affected people’s livelihood beyond imagination.

Mr. Touray disclosed that the Water Committee would work tirelessly to protect the panels and the machine, citing the committee installed solar lighting around the borehole for security purposes. 

He lauded Swe Gam Company Limited for its quality work and noted that quality water increases the health and well-being of the population. 

Seedy Jobe, NPP chairman in Maka Farafenni described media publicity in The Voice newspaper and GRTS radio as important in putting the plight of the community across to the nation. 

Saying, the involvement of President Adama Barrow has increased the capacity and time of pumping 40,000 liters of water from 4 hours to 2hrs.

He disclosed that during the period of no water, the community suffered a lot the people used horses and donkey carts plus motorcycles to search and fetch water in Farafenni and border villages in Senegal. 

The politician applauded NPP Campaign Manager, Galo Saidy, a technician at President’s Office, and Alhaji Mustapha Dibba of Farafenni among others for their invaluable contribution of reaching out to President Barrow as water is basic human rights. 

Alhaji Tijan Touray, representative of the alkalo expressed the need for the provision of additional bigger tank capacity, standby generator, and expansion of electricity supply to contribute immensely to the constant availability of water at all times. 

Sambou Dampha Rice farmers leader tells president to replace agric minister

The president of the Rice Farmers Association in the North Bank Region who is also a representative at the National Farmers Platform of The Gambia has asked President Barrow to remove Demba Sabally as minister of agriculture and replace him with “a competent person who knows agriculture and can empathise with the plight of Gambian farmers”.

Sambou Dampha told The Standard yesterday that through his actions and policy initiatives, Minister Sabally has demonstrated that he does not know his onions when it comes to agriculture.

Asked what those actions and policy initiatives are, Dampha replied: “Everything. Dr Demba Sabally’s appointment as the minister of agriculture is a mockery of us the farmers. Since he came into office, he has not brought any development and is instead busy with politics. His appointment was purely political. I want to tell the president and his government that like they appointed a lawyer as attorney general and a doctor as minister of health, they should also appoint an agric scientist as minister of agriculture. Given the importance of the sector, we should have someone there who has a good knowledge of agriculture

Dampha said there are thousands of competent and qualified Gambians the president can choose from. “We the farmers, have no hope in Demba Sabally because he doesn’t know anything about agriculture. Let President Barrow remove him and replace him with someone who has knowledge of agriculture. If Dr Sabally continues to be minister of agriculture, sooner than later, agriculture will be completely dead in this country, “he claimed.

Asked whether the reduction in the price of fertiliser was not a good initiative championed by Minister Sabally, Dampha retorted: “The price of fertiliser is D1,150 as announced by the government. This is very expensive considering the hardship in the country. The government should reduce it to D700 as it was before.”

One Muhammed Beye of Kerr Kartim village in North Bank Region has been convicted and sentenced to a mandatory jail term of 10 years for the cultivation of cannabis plant and possession of prohibited drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Beye was also given an option to pay a fine of D50, 000 on count one (cultivation) in default to serve three years jail term. On count two, he is ordered to pay a fine of D1M, in default to serve additional jail term of two years.

The court further reminded the convict that he has right to appeal.

His conviction and sentencing came after Magistrate Anna O Mendy of the Farafenni court found him guilty of two count charges of cultivation of cannabis plant and possession of prohibited drugs for the purpose of drug trafficking.

He was accused of cultivating a cannabis plant in his house weighing 4kg 250g.

He is also said to have been in possession of 2kg 950g of cannabis sativa, a prohibited drug. Mr Beye denied the allegations throughout the trial.

In delivering her judgment, the trial magistrate Mendy stated that, the prosecution called witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove their case. At the close of the prosecution’s case, the court invoked section 166 of the CPC, analyzed the evidence of the prosecution witnesses and the court was convinced that a prima facie case was established by the prosecution against the accused person thereby, warranting him to open his defense. He was called to open his defense in which he did and called other witnesses.

After a thorough assessment of the testimonies of all the parties’ witnesses and exhibits tendered, the court came to a conclusion that the accused person and no one else committed the offences. He was accordingly convicted as charged.

Prior to the sentencing, the convict begged that he has lost his father and his mother is old. He said he has a young wife and children, arguing that a custodial sentence would have very serious impact on him and his family.

But in passing her sentence, the presiding magistrate Mendy, told the court that, the effect of drugs in the communities is a growing concern as most Gambian youth are diagnosed with drug induced psychosis. “This is a psychiatric illness and there is need to eradicate drugs in our communities,” the magistrate said. – The Standard

The community of Ngerr Angalleh of Upper Badibou on Saturday boosted with the installation of 20 solar street lights worth over D150,000. The solar streetlights were installed courtesy of Ngerr Angalleh Youth for Development, diaspora, and Village Development Committee.

The inauguration of the solar street light project was attended by a cross-section of the community including the Ward Councilor for Kubandar, Hon. Momar Ndow and representatives of the National Assembly Member for Upper Badibou. The project was conceived by Ngerr Youths Development Association to respond to the development needs and provide security for the community.

Ousman M Lowe, Alkalo of Ngerr Angalleh thanked youths, community, and Diaspora for supporting the development needs of the community.

He outlined among other challenges of the community inadequate water supply, poor road network, and lack of expansion of electricity for the population of 700 inhabitants while noting that the move taken by youths demonstrated their total commitment to taking ownership of development projects.

He, therefore, reassured them of the council of elders’ support.

Amat Jobe, the Finance Officer at NgerrAngalleh Youth for Development underscored youths’ total commitment to the development as he lauded the Village Development Committee for their invaluable support.

He said the solar street lights among other projects, aimed to promote unity and mutual understanding. The youths implemented a series of projects over the past three years and including a water supply system, supported the disaster victims, solar street lighting, and provision of learning materials for Lower Basic Schools to improve learning and teaching in school.

Among other plans of the association include planting trees, a vegetable garden, a coos milling machine, providing a scholarship package for outstanding students, constructing a mortuary for the community, Primary Health Care and ambulance service, road construction, and electricity.

The youths called on the government and Kerewan Area Council and NGOs to support their development drive.

Hon. Momar Ndow Kubandar, the Ward Councilor thanked the youths for their support of education and described solar lighting as an important amenity for the community. He noted that the development needs outlined by youths, call for collaboration and networking.

Isatou Lowe and Fatoumata Dumbiya on behalf of women called for more support, especially in providing a milling machine, water supply, and road network. Post Views: 177

An advocate and aspiring politician, who wants to vie for the upcoming councillorship elections in Farafenni ward, has told The Point in an exclusive interview that President Barrow’s administration has no development plans for the North Bank Region’s cosmopolitan town of Farafenni.

Bakary S.S. Jadama contested in the 2017 National Assembly elections for Illiassa constituency, but lost the seat to Dembo Camara.

He now wants to contest the upcoming councillorship election under the United Democratic Party banner.

“Looking at Farafenni as a cosmopolitan centre for regional businesses, the government didn’t make any meaningful development during the new era of the Barrow administration.  It is becoming more than a town due to its proximity and the surrounding villages. Therefore, Farafenni needs facilities required of a town.” he said.

By looking at the current environmental situation surrounding Farafenni, he hinted that one would reason that there is a great need to have a new market built behind Farafenni-Kerewan Garage.

He observed that Farafenni needs a standard vocational training centre, a standard library built for students, standard environmental waste collection, as well as recreational parks and centers for children.

“In fact, Farafenni town can request from the ministry of education to build for them a university as part of decentralisation program,” he claimed.

Jadama noted that if he is elected councilor of the town, he would support football in order to revive Farafenni town as a famous football town.

“I think it is important for us as residents of Farafenni to understand that the Barrow administration will never develop Farafenni town. It is the councilor who can bring the meaningful development that the town needs. So there is no politics in choosing better candidate for their development.” he said.

He, however, thanked the youth of Farafenni both home and abroad for their effort in improving their hometown.

“Through collaborations between us as one family we can change Farafenni a better place to live.” he added.

Ali JawBakary S.S. Jadama, who has expressed interest in vying for the councillorship of Farafenni Ward, has told The Point in an exclusive interview that the development of the town which he intends to vie for is beyond politics, adding that if given the chance he would work with the community and relevant stakeholders to rebuild the town.

Mr. Jadama, known to many as Bakaaba Jadama, previously vied to represent Illiyassa Constituency at the National Assembly in 2017, but lost the seat to political opponent, Dembo Camara.

He is also the founder and coordinator of Partnership for Community and Environmental Development (PCED), an advocacy group.

“Farafenni town is becoming more than a town due to its proximity with surrounding villages. Therefore, Farafenni town needs a smart leadership skills and development-oriented person to run the show,” he said.

“Farafenni town has facilities that can be requested back from the line ministries and put them into productive sectors, for example, old health centre, GPMB main store building, veterinary, library and others viable institutes.”

“When it comes to environmental protection, we’re going through a difficult moment, looking at the road in-between Nyanado compound, those shops are not suitable for the said location. We can develop a local modern market behind the Garage, and transfer those who have a shops in-between Nyanado compound and the road,” he added.

The aspiring politician expressed further that it’s important to safeguard the interest of Farafenni and its people, especially those who are vulnerable, adding he is very much impressed with the cordial relationship among them as ‘Farafennian’.

Mr. Jadama added that Farafenni youths, both home and abroad, have been nurturing friendly environment and competitiveness of the area development programmes and activities, which makes it more beautiful town by the virtue of its cultural heritage sites.

“I thank everyone else who might one way or another participated in the realisation of the said lightings project all over the town. I believe that together we can do better development. I will stand up very firm to fight tooth and nail to make sure that the people of Farafenni Town Ward are happy with my administration.”

“I will introduce new generation of civilization. The town will have necessary facilities and environment shall be a specific concerns area. Roads and parks are also important elements of the town’s development programmes.

“Farafenni town is my town, your town and our town, ‘Faracity’ is our symbol,” he concluded.

Farafenni is having a big problem when it comes development, almost 95% of the inhabitants of Farafenni did not know the members of the VDC or the WDC.

Let’s the massive understand that Farafenni is one of the biggest commercial town in the Gambia and one of the fastest economy growing town in the Gambia, the revenue generated by it council, and other community institutions belonging to the town can do a lot when it comes basic developments.

The council has definitely fail the people’s of Farafenni and it’s one of the biggest income generating ward of the Kerewan area council.

The council is not doing anything for us, just recently the community has gathered more than D 2 million to fund it’s own street lighting project.

Sanchaba road was construct by themselves which is just opposite the area council office

The council cannot take care of sanitary and dumping within our community, they did not stop at not taking care of sanitation but also killing our people’s, employing old age people’s and mentally ill people’s as sanitary workers, with a very low salary with such a hazardous work.

It’s over 6 years the Farafenni youth center has been under construction, and it’s our concern as the youths to know about conditions of the youth youth center.

Also we wants to know about the community radio, for more than a decade the radio is still run by the same people’s.

The library school also belongs to Farafenni we’re are the funds generated there going to.

We need to also ask Gambia national Olympic committee (GNOIC) about the stadium we have been paying to there caretakers on the ground here still they cannot change a single gate or at least provide us with water.

Farafenni sports committee has been functioning for more than decade without  bylaws (constitution)

Area council is not providing us with a single street light neither community borehole street taps.

Are council is not giving scholarships to graduands from schools across Farafenni.

Area council is not renovating our community structures, neither builds recreational centers, day care centers for the community.

Area council is not helping our mothers and sisters struggling day by day to make ends meet at homes

After collecting there hard earn from them they cannot support them with a cool store for their vegetables, they are not supporting them fencing their gardens neither helping them with seeds or pesticides.

The area council did not construct a single road within Farafenni, it’s heartbreaking especially mouritani roads are horrible.

#Farafennimostchange.

Lamin Basiru Keita

Lamin Basiru Keita

25th September 2022

I was elected by the community as the secretary general of the Farafenni sports committee.

Embezzlement of public funds has become a tradition in our community institutions especially the sports committee, this is a committee with no written constitution, any person elected to this position runs it as a family business.

I can attest that the last two committee are the most corrupt committee in the history of Farafenni’s football when I came to the committee the first thing I first complain was the percentage paid to the stadium management committee.

It’s sad that over years there is no single functioning toilet, proper light also there is no water. I challenge my colleague in the committee that we needs to work harder to at least develop some parts of the structure of the stadium.

I advised the chairman and the entire committee to stop paying the 20% or what so ever to the stadium management committee, and seize the game percentage of the teams at the first round stage so that we will be able to gather much fund built the perimeter fence, bring back water supply for toilets to function, change the gates to avoid animals frequently entering the stadium and install a proper lighting system.

We have a meeting with the stadium management committee pledge to them to wave the percentage they agreed, the coaches also agreed not to pay first round game percentage to them despite the funds are for relevant developments of the sporting academy.

As I mentioned earlier corruption is tradition in Farafenni sports committee, when I newly came to the committee I was told that all the CFA collected at the gate directly belongs to the chairman, their was maladministration, and abuse of power only one person has a voice when it comes to decision making that’s the chairman.

The committee also collect sponsors from our Noble donors almost to 40,000 was never deposited to the committee account out of this

Unnecessary withdrawals from the committee account, the whole tournament gate ticketing only 70,000 was deposited by the committee and my assistant Mr Touray who’s receiving bank notification never inform the committee that ticketing monies and other funds have not been deposited to the account.

After paying referees and securities the remaining balance of the gate taking is count in the present of the entire committee and hand it over to the chairman for deposit.

I left the committee day after the seniors nawettan, the committee have a meeting at the primary school I reminded my colleague about some of the work we planned to do at the mini stadium, and the Constitution, I told the my colleague I’m not happy with the way things are going is like we all working off head and is like half of our term is gone we haven’t done nothing yet, the chairman respond was if I’m not satisfied with the way he works let me leave, from that day I never come to the committee.

Today I was part of the meeting organised by the councilor, regional football association coaches and other stakeholders to give a clue of what I know about the committee

The chairman was call several times by we the committee members and the honourable councillor and he declined all the invitations.

A lot has been mesh

farafennisportscommneedsconstitution

letselectcompitentleaders

dadmostgo

Lamin Basiru Keita

25th September 2022

This is a collective failure, I was the then secretary general of the Farafenni sports committee under the leadership of Kebba Dibba (dad)

I was elected by the community as the secretary general of the Farafenni sports committee.

Embezzlement of public funds has become a tradition in our community institutions especially the sports committee, this is a committee with no written constitution, any person elected to this position runs it as a family business.

I can attest that the last two committee are the most corrupt committee in the history of Farafenni’s football when I came to the committee the first thing I first complain was the percentage paid to the stadium management committee.

It’s sad that over years there is no single functioning toilet, proper light also there is no water. I challenge my colleague in the committee that we needs to work harder to at least develop some parts of the structure of the stadium.

I advised the chairman and the entire committee to stop paying the 20% or what so ever to the stadium management committee, and seize the game percentage of the teams at the first round stage so that we will be able to gather much fund built the perimeter fence, bring back water supply for toilets to function, change the gates to avoid animals frequently entering the stadium and install a proper lighting system.

We have a meeting with the stadium management committee pledge to them to wave the percentage they agreed, the coaches also agreed not to pay first round game percentage to them despite the funds are for relevant developments of the sporting academy.

As I mentioned earlier corruption is tradition in Farafenni sports committee, when I newly came to the committee I was told that all the CFA collected at the gate directly belongs to the chairman, their was maladministration, and abuse of power only one person has a voice when it comes to decision making that’s the chairman.

The committee also collect sponsors from our Noble donors almost to 40,000 was never deposited to the committee account out of this

Unnecessary withdrawals from the committee account, the whole tournament gate ticketing only 70,000 was deposited by the committee and my assistant Mr Touray who’s receiving bank notification never inform the committee that ticketing monies and other funds have not been deposited to the account.

After paying referees and securities the remaining balance of the gate taking is count in the present of the entire committee and hand it over to the chairman for deposit.

I left the committee day after the seniors nawettan, the committee have a meeting at the primary school I reminded my colleague about some of the work we planned to do at the mini stadium, and the Constitution, I told the my colleague I’m not happy with the way things are going is like we all working off head and is like half of our term is gone we haven’t done nothing yet, the chairman respond was if I’m not satisfied with the way he works let me leave, from that day I never come to the committee.

Today I was part of the meeting organised by the councilor, regional football association coaches and other stakeholders to give a clue of what I know about the committee

The chairman was call several times by we the committee members and the honourable councillor and he declined all the invitations.

A lot has been mesh

farafennisportscommneedsconstitution

letselectcompitentleaders

dadmostgo

Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure are blaming each other over the implementation of an initial agreement to reduce the tariff at the Senegambia Bridge on the Trans-Gambian Highway.

The bridge facilitates movements of people, goods and vehicles from the North Bank to the Lower River Region of the country.

A document revealed by the GTU indicates that motorcycles and taxis should pay a tariff of D50; Small cars/4-7 D200; Jeep 4×4/8-14 passenger D250; LCV/minibus D400; Bus and Truck D1000; and Trucks with trailer D1800. However, such a tariff is yet to be implemented.

According to the GTU, the tariffs that were agreed on were never implemented by the government and is one of the reasons for the sit-down strike. The union therefore called on the government to fulfil their promises in order to avoid confrontation. 

“See the agreement we had with the government through the Ministry of Transport including the Ministry of Finance and relevant stakeholders during our engagement between the Transport Union and the government, on the 31st of May 2022. This was the Senegambia bridge tariff approved by the Gambia government and a letter was sent to us. This has never been implemented and since then, we are raising concerns about the approved tariff to be implemented,” the Union stated.

Meanwhile, Essa Drammeh, the director of Transport at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, while reacting to this, explained that the circulating letter let the Accountant General, who manages the toll plaza at the Bridge use the new tariff that was agreed between them.