NATIONAL AFFAIRS…

• Police investigates URR murder allegation
• Poor condition of Latrikunda market affecting sales
• NYSS: Ex-Corps in Mali on electrical installation course
• Youth training on crime prevention, peace building ends
• Berending Senior School graduates first batch
• GFA beach soccer coaching course ends

Police investigates URR murder allegation

News reaching The Voice newspaper in Banjul on Monday has it that Abubacarr Baldeh, a 37 year old man is alleged to have murdered one Essa Jawo 24, at Mangkamang Kunda in Upper River Region.

On May 30, 2011, Mrs Jarra Sowe, a native of Sareh Musa said the decease, Jawo was stretching-out at his veranda when the suspect (Abubacarr Baldeh) came with a Knife and butchered him, piercing through his stomach to the throat.

According to her, the suspect has already been arrested by the police; however, she could not confirm what led to the horrible action.

When contacted on phone, ASP Yorro Mballow, the Police Public Relation Officer confirmed the incident but noted that it is currently being investigated. The Press will be duly as soon as investigations are completed, he said.

“The suspect is currently helping the Police in their investigations,” he said. 

Poor condition of Latrikunda market affecting sales

The vendors at Latrikunda Market on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 told The Voice newspaper that the bad odor of the toilet at the market is affecting their sales since it is driving away buyers.

The bad odor coming out of the toilet is making life in the market unbearable and causing some financial losses to them, but a member of the market committee said they are doing everything possible to solve the problem.

Mariama Gassama, a vegetable vendor at the market said she feed her family through the proceeds gained from her sale, but these days, she fines it very difficult to sell because of the bad odor at the market.

“Some people will like to buy my products but when they look at the place they turn back and they will not buy, this is not good for us, and I continue to pay my duty,” she complained.

She called on the Market Committee and the Kanifing Municipal Council, KMC to help them to solve the problem. She said: “We earn our living from the market and whether we sell or not, we have to pay our duty to the KMC revenue collectors.”

She lamented that she experienced a massive drop in sales since the market gets engulfed in that “bad odor”.

Badou Faal, the Head of the Market Committee claimed the committee is playing its role to make sure the market come back to its normal environment. “We are working together with the KMC to make sure that the welfare of vendors and buyers are guaranteed,” he said.

“The welfare of the people is the most important thing for us, but concerning the toilet the people at the market have not been taking good care of the toilets, so it will be difficult to maintain the toilet as it should be.”

He add that people at the market need to the take the toilet as their own, if that happen the toilets will always be normal.

Mr Faal noted that the KMC has given them lot of materials to work on the toilet and they have already started the process and promises that before the end of June the work will be finished.

“Let the people at market take good care of the toilet. Let them not say the toilet is not ours so we are going to use it any how,” Faal advised.

Another vendor at the Latrikunda Market, Mutar Secka fears that bad odor coming from the sewage can even affect their health condition because the bad water flow through the market and around their stalls and shops. “This could make us sick,” he said. 

Despite the complaints, the Market-Toilet Supervisor Famara Colley said the condition of the market is somehow better than it was before because they have done a lot of work to ensure that the market is hygienic.

He said they have a lot of problems on the usage of the toilet. Some people use the toilet without water and that make our work very difficult.

“Everyday we use to clean the toilet but when we come the following day the situation get worse,” he said.

NYSS: Ex-Corps in Mali on electrical installation course

Six ex-corps members of the national youth services scheme, NYSS left Banjul on Monday to attend a month-long course on “electrical installation in the Republic of Mali, a media statement from NYSS said on May 31.

The training, organised by the ECOWAS Commission for youth and sports development centre will bring together 90 youth from the sub-region from 30 May – 3 July this year, at the Safourlaye Centre in Bamako.

The course aims to contribute to the attainment of the sub-regional economic bloc’s Vision 2020 of transforming from an “ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of People”, increasing the employability of ECOWAS youths, building capacity of young entrepreneurs, and contributing to the reduction of youth unemployment.

The course will be centered on the protection of electrical installations, standardization, building wiring, installation and wiring of TGBT and distribution panel, generator sets and wiring, and automatic startup of generator sets and quotation or cost estimates.

“Many are called but few are chosen, you are the lucky ones and therefore it is important you make the best use of the opportunity,” NYSS deputy executive director Mr Ebou Sowe said.

The Head of NYSS Inspectorate and Skills Training Department Mrs Fatou Touray Cham said: “Try to demonstrate the greatest sense of maturity and make a difference by exploring and strengthening the existing cordial relationship between The Gambia and other countries.”

Education ministry calls on scientists to raise awareness on climate change

The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Dr. Mariama Sarr-Ceesay has called upon scientists from the West Africa Science Services Centre on Climate Change and Adaptive Land Use (WASCAL) to play a part in creating awareness on climate change.

She also charged that communities should do their utmost in raising awareness on climate change and help in the integration of climate change issues into national decision-making bodies to reduce the negative effects this can bring to bear on national resources and livelihoods.

Speaking at a three-day sub-regional conference on the Sixth WASCAL Task Force Meeting held at a local hotel in Banjul - The Gambia, she also called on politicians and administrators alike to accord issues of climate change higher political priorities in the interest of humanity, especially the generations to whom we must bequeath the environment that we so much depend on.

According to her, in adopting land used and climate change, there is the need to promote and encourage the role of gender since “It is admitted in the entire globe climate change pose a serious challenge to national development”.  

She hopes that the meeting in Banjul will lead to the development of the draft: multilateral scientific cooperation agreement between the Garman Ministry of Higher Education and Research and its West Africa Partner-countries for the establishment of a “regional science service centre on climate change and land management” in West Africa.

“The Gambia government is fully aware of the implications of climate change on our economies and livelihoods and, to exemplify this, it suffices to observe, with much regret, that environmental degradation and depletion as well as increased pest and disease outbreaks attributable to climate change can inhibit substantially agricultural production in Africa and at the subsistent community farmers’ level” she said.

“The Gambia government has been working relentlessly for several decades to mitigate the impact of climate change on our development aspirations and efforts. In 2001, the department of water resources set up a global change research unit to conduct and coordinate research on global change issues, particularly climate change.”

Paul Vlek, executive director and head of the task force, WASCAL said the project is a five-year programme funded by the Garman Government to the tune of 50 million Euros for ten (10) African countries. Its headquarters is located in Ghana as the Research-base centre.

He noted that project have others academic programmes located in difference Africa countries and its serves all ten African countries that are beneficiaries to this project.

He said the program is expected for the next coming ten years, 70 students from the Gambia will be trained at PHD and Doctors level. He further stated the programme is aimed at rising awareness on climate change and increases scientific research on climate change adaptation measures for our countries.

KMC cleansing service receive boost

In response to the President’s call to support the implementation of the monthly cleansing exercise – “operation clean the nation”, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has donated an assorted amount of cleansing materials to Kanifing Municipal Council.

On June 1, 2011 the National Environment Agency (NEA) at its Headquarters on Jimpex Road, Kanifing handed over the materials include 20 large spades, 10 small spades, 20 rakes, 20 cutlasses, 20 brooms, 25 waste bins and 20 wheel barrows.

Mr. Bully Dibba,  the Financial Director who was speaking on behalf of Executive Director NEA, said littering is both an environmental and social issue, it costs the community huge sums of money and time to clean up every year.

He noted that littering causes blockages of the drainages system and causes flooding, which costs councils millions of dalasis to repair. This money can be better spent on housing and education.

He added that when waste get into waterways, rivers and seas it can kill aquatic life directly or indirectly through its impacts on water quality; it also decreases oxygen levels when it decays in water.

On his part, Muhammed Jabang, project manager energy and environmental programme, said the donation was funded by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP through its energy and environmental programme to strengthen the capacity of the NEA in environmental protection.

He said the programme will be extended to all the regions in the country. “If you asked people not to litter you should also provide the enabling environment for them not to litter so this materials are given to the KMC for them to put it to straight positions for the communities to dispose their waste,” he said.

Receiving the items on behalf the KMC Mayor, Yankuba Colley, the Councilor of Ebo Town-New Jeshwang Ward Muhammed Lamin Badjie commends the NEA for the donation.

The importance of the gesture, he said cannot be over emphasised and it will improve the environmental sanitation efforts within the KMC. According to him, the KMC is committed to environmental protection, assuring the NEA that the materials will be used for the intended purpose.

Youth training on crime prevention, peace building ends

Youth Crime Watch - The Gambia, a youth organization in Banjul has concluded four-day training for 30 youths on “crime and violence prevention and peace building”.

The event, held under the theme “Building the institutional capacity of Youth Crime Watch - The Gambia for youth participation in national development and the promotion of peace” was funded by the United States Embassy in Banjul.

The participants were drawn from various youth organizations in the country.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr. Abdoulie Ceesay, public relations officer National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) said the Government of The Gambia is fully committed in the prevention of drugs and drug abuse.

Ceesay, who is also the Officer Commanding Prosecutions of the NDEA said President Jammeh has declare and demonstrated  a zero-tolerance to drugs and corruption in the country.

This, he said was contained in his address on Gambia’s 45^th Independence Anniversary. Mr Ceesay noted that the NDEA was established pursuant to Section 4 of the Drug Control Act 2003 and Amended in the year 2005 with the mandate to prevent drug abuse in the country particularly among the youth folk.

He added that his department is solely responsible for educating and sensitizing the general public about the dangers of drugs and related effects and also to foster public support and cooperation in fight against drug abuse.

On his part, Mr. Abdou Jobe, executive director Youth Crime Watch - The Gambia, said the youths are an important component in the existence and development of human societies.

“Indeed, the future of any society can only be guaranteed and assured by its youth. The energy and resourcefulness of the youths serve as new fuel for the development of society,” he said.

“The problems and challenges posed by crime and violence in The Gambia have been for sometime a vexatious issue for the government, and it is noteworthy that the government is taking an increasing interest in the subject.”

The training was aimed at discussing crimes and its impact on youth folk and developing creative and leadership qualities while ensuring that they become effective leaders, to enhance their potential in participation towards national development.

 

Berending Senior School graduates first batch

Berending Senior Secondary School, Lower Niumi District on Saturday held a graduation ceremony for its first batch comprising of 122 candidates.

Three years ago, the School, a junior secondary school, decided to establish a high school to accommodate the ever increasing numbers of enrolments and offer access to Senior Secondary School education to the surrounding villages and the North Bank Region as a whole. 

On May 28, 2011, a host of parents and guardians, friends and even onlookers from within Berending and the satellite villages joined their graduating sons and daughters at the school ground to mark the maiden event.

“We started the senior secondary school with skepticism, but nothing is impossible and we are aiming to challenge other high schools in the country in producing the best students,” he said.

“The school administration has achieved a lot by providing a basicycle to student living in satellite villages and also receives some education materials from philanthropic institution.”

He urged the community to support the students at home and encourage them to attend extra classes. 

A representative of the Regional Education Director, Mr. Lamin Bojang noted that the establishment of the school is a step in right direction. He added that the regional education and the Ministry of Basic Education are with Berending in their scause to deliver quality education.

He cautioned the graduates to deliver what they learn from school and make sure that they do not sideline their families in their quest to further their education or find jobs in urban centres.

“Remember that they have given you what they have, it is up to you to reward them, your communities and the country,” he said.

Guest Speaker, Mr. Jenung Manneh, Registrar of the University of The Gambia and a native of Berending, said education is the process of transferring knowledge, skills and value to each other which is a worthwhile sustenance of societies.

Mr. Manneh said quality education contributes in uplifting the ambitious dreams of young people for optional personal fulfillment in order to contribute as effectively as possible to their various societies.

He note that it acts as a catalyst and a key instrument not only for future economic development but also for social, cultural and political change which attempts to foster national identity and develop local human resource and capacities to receive and apply knowledge and technology.

“Young people attempts to take care of loneliness, despair and cynicism which have been engendered by the events around them, and the sense of hopelessness which marks the lives of so many people useless,” he said.

Prices were given to deserving students in recognition of their academic performance, while certificates were issued to the School Councilors for the services rendered to the school.

GFA BOSS Kinteh

GFA beach soccer coaching course ends

A weeklong “beach soccer coaching course” organised by Gambia Football Association (GFA) in partnership with the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) drew to a close in Banjul on Friday.

The closing came on the day after the death of Gambia’s most successful referee, Mr. Badou Jassey. The Secretary General of the GFA Jammeh E.K. Bojang said they are saddened by the dead of Mr. Jassey, who was the Chairman of the Referees Committee in Gambia.

“We want to send our deepest condolences to his family and the sporting fraternity in the country,” he said.

He also commended FIFA for giving Gambia the opportunity to learn the rules of Beach Soccer by providing them with a course director from Brazil. Beach Soccer is the 27^th sporting discipline to be initiated in the country, and Mr. Bojang hopes Gambia will qualify for the forthcoming Beach Soccer World Cup in 2013.

Brazilian Mr. Gustavo Zloccowick, the Course Director who also paid tribute to the late referee, said the course has been a great experience for him and his profession.

He said the first step of establishing the latest sporting discipline in the country has been undertaken and the second step rest with the participants to develop the sports in the Gambia.

Mamudou Max Jallow, Executive Secretary National Sports Council describe the course as a “unique selling point” in their effort to popularize beach soccer in the country.

He noted that the training programme highlighted the crucial role in building lasting friendship, cooperation and understanding between the coaches and their instructor.

He exhorts GFA officials to follow the emerging trends in football around the globe and find ways and means to attract large crowds in league matches.

“The first step in creating a well structured league is to create a committed fans-base. A professional league can only thrive where there is a committed group of fans who attend matches regularly, follow the progress of their teams everywhere and possibly pay membership fees,” he said.

He charged that talented boys and girls should be accorded equal opportunities to physically express themselves and must be assigned to competent and qualified coaches to carry out such exercises.

“For beach soccer to make any meaningful impact, the GFA must come up with a long-term plan that will result in the creation of a viable league and national teams in the near future,” he concludes. Courtesy of The Voice Newspaper