Gambia President's Salary.

Earns Over 2 Million Dalasi A Year

Fatu Network  By

 Lamin Sanyang

 -

 May 8, 2018 

Information reaching The Fatu Network has it that President Adama Barrow earns D2, 040, 000 Millions a year, ($46,000) a source at the Personnel Management Office disclosed.

It is reported that former president Yahya Jammeh’s salary was removed from the budget to hide it from the public.

The Fatu Network is privy to the salary scale of President Barrow’s executive including the Vice President and Cabinet Ministers with their per diem allowances for overseas travels and night allowances.

According to information gathered at the Personnel Management Office, the Vice President earns D562, 116. 00 Dalasi per annum ($12,500) while Cabinet Ministers earn D351, 996. 00 Dalasi per annum ($7,800)

According to documents privy to The Fatu Network, the per diem allowances for overseas travels and night allowances for local travels of the Vice President is pegged at £350 per day. The ones for the Secretary General, Ministers and Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairman PSC, Chairman National Planning Commission are pegged at £300 per day.

However, the Deputy Secretary General, Secretary to Cabinet, Chairman IEC, Ombudsman are pegged at £250 per day while Permanent Secretaries, Governor Central Bank, Director Generals, Chief Executives, Managing Directors, Ambassadors, Auditor General, NAMs, CDS, IGP, Director General NIA, Executive Director NDEA, Commissioner General and Chief of Protocol among others get £230 per day.

The officials on Grade 12 and below are pegged at £200 per day, Drivers and Orderlies get £130 per day, night allowances for all grades is D650. 00 per night.

It is reported that there is no per diem for the First Lady in the budget but the former and current First Ladies are getting per diems.

There is a Special Committee for Overseas Travels that screens overseas training with the exception of political delegates.

Meanwhile, there is growing concerns over the frequent overseas travels of government officials in the Barrow Administration.

GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: 167 PIU OFFICERS WITHDRAWN FROM THE STATE HOUSE; AS GAMBIAN ARMY TAKES OVER STATE HOUSE AND DENTON BRIDGE GUARD DUTIES TODAY!

The one hundred and sixty-seven (167) police intervention unit (PIU) officers stationed at the State House in Banjul, were today withdrawn from the President’s office and transferred to their respective bases across the country, the Freedom Newspaper can report. The Gambian army is now in charge of security at the State House.
A senior law enforcement officer, who contacted the Freedom Newspaper said: “There is confusion in this country. We woke up today, only to be told that the 167 PIU officers , who were stationed at the State House, have been transferred. They have been replaced by personnel of The Gambia Armed Forces.  Based on what I was told, even the PIU officers and the Coalition supporters, who were recently trained in Senegal, have been replaced by the soldiers. Everyone is confused here.”
“The Gambian army has also taken over Denton Bridge. The PIU officers have been withdrawn from Denton Bridge. The soldiers are back in full swing. Some of the PIU officers have been redeployed to their respective bases in Kanifing, Brikama, and elsewhere across the country,” our law enforcement source added.

 In another development, 16 senior police officers have been lined up to be sent on retirement next month. Insiders at the police headquarters in Banjul said information about the officers lined up to be retired, would be published soon.

 Freedom Newspaper - September 28th, 2018

Gov’t to create over 10, 000 jobs in 3 years

Monday, September 17, 2018

In his State of the Nation Address to the National Assembly last week, President Adama Barrow has decried the rise in unemployment in The Gambia and outlined crucial intervention plans by his government to create over 10, 000 jobs over the next three years.

President Adama Barrow laments the fact that the youth make up the largest proportion of the Gambian population. “36.7% of the 1.8 million Gambian population are aged 13-30 years; yet, youth unemployment has risen to 38%,” he said, maintaining that it is cause for concern for his government. The acute frustrations and lack of opportunities for the youth and the results of thousands of youths who undertake risky journeys, often with tragic consequences, in search of greener pastures elsewhere are key challenges his government inherited.

He went on to outline various government programmes and activities which are deliberately designed to offer employment opportunities for the youths in the country. The president urges youths to take advantage of these opportunities and become active participants in the nation building process being aggressively pursued by his government. From education and trainings in vocational and skill sets, to other jobs in the hospitality, the construction, agriculture, arts and culture sectors, over ten thousand jobs will be on offer in a bid to reduce the unemployment percentage among the country’s youths.

“Implementation of the 11Million Euro Youth Empowerment Project from the European Trust Fund is ongoing. The overall objective of this four-year project is to tackle the economic root-causes of irregular migration through increased job opportunities and income prospects for the youth. The project has trained over one thousand (1000) youngsters in various skills within one year. This is complemented by the Fourteen Million Dalasi (GMD 14,000,000. 00) Skills for Youth Employment Fund launched this year, which aims to equip another one thousand  (1000) Gambian youths with relevant technical and vocational skills in partnership with local training institutions,” the president told the Assembly.

There is also a partnership programme between the International Labor Organisation and the government of Japan to support the establishment of a USD $3.9 Million project on “Employment Creation for Youth to Build Sustainable Peace in The Gambia.” The goal of this project is to promote employment opportunities for the youth through infrastructure construction, together with skills training and entrepreneurship support. Particular focus is put on women, migrant returnees, the Diaspora and refugees. The project is expected to employ 2,500 young people in infrastructure construction works, and within the Agriculture, Fisheries and Tourism sectors.

Additionally, 250 youths are expected to complete skills training and receive entrepreneurship support in relation to the construction sector. At least, 30% of the project beneficiaries would be women.

The higher education subsector has set a policy target to train 65% of all graduates in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Agriculture, Health and other related sciences. These will all be employable within the formal sectors of the economy.

Works are about to begin on the 48.3 km Basse-Fatoto-Koina Road project, which includes the 150 meter-long Fatoto-Passamas Bridge, as well as the 200 meter-long Basse-Wuli Bridge. The Stink-Corner Access Road, the Soutouma-Sereh-Gambissara Road Project, as well as the reconstruction of the Wellingara-Sinchu Road, the Nusrat High School Road and Master Jatta Road are completed and in full use, the president further told the Assembly.

Construction of 400 kilometers of rural roads using PRO BASE Technology is also set to commence. It involves 104 kilometers of Feeder Roads over a three-year period, at a cost of €10,346,746.

A US$442,000.00 Programme on Aquaculture for Women and Youth, supported by Food and Agriculture Organisation, the president said that his government has secured a Technical Cooperation is focusing on three key areas: establishment of four hatcheries at strategiclocations in the country, with a capacity 800, 000 1Million fry or small fish per hatchery annually. It will also include the establishment of three feed mill plants at strategic locations in the country. The capacity per mill will be about 500 kilograms per day to produce different types of feeds for different categories of fish. The President said capacity development for the production of quality seeds and feeds. Particular preference will be given to youth and women associations

“It is projected that close to 1 billion dalasi will be invested in the tourism sector within the next three years, to be matched by the creation of at least 4,000 jobs. All these investments seek to enable a year-round tourism sector. The Movinpick Gambia promoters have renewed their commitment to construct a five-star hotel valued at $55 million,” he said.

The artistic sector is also key to the president’s development plan. Policies are being formalised to protect Intellectual Property, ensure effective copyright procedures, and the establishment of a body for the collection and distribution of royalties to creators and artists. 
The Point Newspaper

GPA pays D5M dividend to Gov’t.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

The Gambia Port Authority (GPA) has paid a cheque amounting to D5 million to government of The Gambia as dividend.

The cheque was presented at the Office of the Vice President.

Speaking at the presentation, the GPA’s board chairman, Alpha Barry expressed gratitude to be associated with the official handing of the cheque.

He disclosed that cargo volumes have registered a steady growth on an annual trend and record achievements were realised in December 2017, compared with D2.1 million in 2016 – representing a growth of 16%.  “Container volumes have also increased by 12% from 93,000 containers in 2016 to 105,000 in December 2017.”

“The growth in traffic is also accompanied by corresponding increase in revenue generated as the profit after tax for 2017 is at an all-time high of D198 million compared to D13M in 2016. All indications are that GPA will double its profit 2018.”

According to Mr. Barry despite these achievements, the GPA continues to grapple with numerous challenges, ranging from the need to acquire additional land areas for expansion, jetty extension and acquisition of cargo handling equipment.

In receiving the cheque on behalf of the government of The Gambia, Vice President Ousainou Darboe said this has not happened for several years. He added that this shows that the government has gained twice on the operation of The Gambia Port Authority.

He thanked the management for having the determination to implement the policy that guides the board.

VP Darboe further commended the GPA board for their wise policies in working close collaboration with the GPA management. He stated it is in the interest of government to standby GPA.

Author: Abdoulie Nyockeh,  The Point Newspaper

GRA boss reacts to D800M revenue collected

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

The president of the republic has disclosed that the government has strengthened its tax collection, which resulted for the first time, The Gambia Revenue Authority to collect over eight hundred (800) million dalasis in a single month; that was January of this year.

Adama Barrow was speaking recently while presiding over the official opening of the 2018 Legislative Year on the State of Our Nations held at the National Assembly chambers in Banjul.

During his speech, Barrow made it clear that by working together a lot more can be achieved, and there is nothing to suggest that ‘we cannot realise any of our development and objectives’.

Barrow called on all to work together and develop The Gambia, reminding that this is not about party politics, but is about national pride.

The Gambian leader further informed that the staff audit for the civil and uniform services identified and removed from the payroll over 3,000 ghost workers resulting in annual saving of 0.3% of GDP.  A new policy, he said, has been instituted restricting overseas traveling to Economic class for some senior government officials which is expected to deliver additional saving of 0.1% of GDP.

Reacting to the president’s statement, Yankuba Darboe, the commissioner general of The Gambia Revenue, expressed appreciation over the pronouncement, saying it is good news for GRA. The authority, he added, is doing a very good job in revenue collection.

“This is really appreciated by all of us and we will try to do more in the near future. It is good whenever someone do good job he gets a tap on the back.” 

Author: Abdoulie Nyockeh  -The Point Newspaper

Gambia’s Deputy Ambassador in Washington DC Mustapha Sosseh involved in Domestic Violence.

Gainako.  September 23rd, 2018

President Barrow’s choice for Deputy Ambassador in Washington DC Mustapha Sosseh was allegedly involved in domestic violence resulting in police intervention and likely state department intervention expected this week. Reports reaching Gainako last night indicated that DC County Police were called to his residence just outside Washington after an alleged altercation with his spouse. According to an eyewitness, Deputy Ambassador Sosseh has been abusing his wife for a long time, including flaunting a relationship with another lady. The incident that resulted in the police being called was another provocation that resulted in the spouse also fighting back and Sosseh allegedly asking the wife’s step son to record the wife fighting back, so that he can produce that as evidence to the state department to get her diplomatic status revoked enabling him to get diplomatic status for his new wife.

According to family sources, the domestic issues between Mustapha and his spouse has been ongoing resulting in both physical and mental abuse. In Gambia Mustapha Sosseh is accused of cheating on his spouse with multiple women, resulting in him impregnating three of their domestic helpers. We understand that the couple’s current domestic problems in the US is also as a result of infidelity and Mr Sosseh’s marriage to another lady and his intention to get his new spouse diplomatic status in the USA.

Few weeks ago Gainako reported on Sosseh’s appointment to Washington DC as the President’s choice. Mr. Sosseh’s qualifications for the position of Deputy Ambassador is questionable and he allegedly cannot even write a proper sentence in English.  This is yet another indication of the pattern of poor choices of personnel appointments made by the Barrow government, with many accusing President Barrow of using the foreign service as “dumping ground” for incompetent and corrupt officials.  Domestic violence is a serious issue in the United States and such incidents involving law enforcement will likely get the State Department’s attention.

The source who called our reporter around 5am GMT was frantic. She expressed disappointment and surprise that a man appointed to such status would be so reckless in a country that takes domestic violence seriously . Gainako was sent a dossier on this Diplomatic Agent and his womanizing in the DC area. We are following on the tips and will report appropriately soon. Stay tuned.

PIU allegedly assault Eyeafrica TV’s cameraman.

 Monday, September 24, 2018

An EyeAfrica TV’s cameraman who was filming at a meeting of a group of teachers, who called themselves Teachers For Change was allegedly beaten by Personnel of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) on Sunday at Abuko Upper Basic School.

Immediately after the alleged assault on Babucarr Manga, The Gambia Press Union (GPU) said the safety of every Gambian journalist is its most important priority and it will always strive as a union to safeguard that.

“Gambia Press Union (GPU) has just been informed that a journalist who serves as cameraman for Eye Africa online TV was earlier this afternoon assaulted by a member of the Police Intervention Unit while he was filming a meeting organised by a group of disgruntled teachers in Abuko,” it said on Sunday.

Mr. Manga was filming at the disgruntled teachers’ meeting when he was attacked by some PIU officers, beaten. He was reported to sustain some injuries.                                                                       

Teachers for Change is a group of Gambian teachers who have been organising sit down-strikes in protest for salary increment and full payment of provincial and hardship allowances.

“We want to assure our colleagues that the GPU is following this case and will communicate its reaction/intervention as soon as we speak to the concerned journalist and his employer who witnessed the incident,” the press union Executive said yesterday afternoon.

Author: Momodou Jawo, The Point Newspaper.

Four Charged For Damaging Bill Board Photo Of President.

 By Nelson Manneh, Foroyaa Newspaper
September 21, 2018
Four adult Gambians are charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and punishment for malicious injury, by damaging a bill board bearing the photo of President Adama Barrow.
The accused persons are Adama Gibba, Alasana Jarju, Abdou Karim Camara and Sanna Camara.
On Count one, the accused persons are charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 228 of the Criminal Code of the Gambia. According to the particulars of offence, on or about the 7^th September 2018 in Sibanor Village in the West Coast Region, the four accused persons jointly assaulted Massaneh Gassama, by throwing stones and assaulting him on his head and left jaw, causing actual bodily harm.
On Count two, the four are charged with punishment for malicious injury contrary to Section 312 (1) of the Criminal Code of the Gambia. According to the particulars of offence on this count, the four accused persons on the same day in Sibanor, willfully and unlawfully damaged a bill board, bearing the photo of the president of the Republic of the Gambia, Adama Barrow.
When the case was called before Magistrate F. Darboe of the Brikama Magistrates Court, Sergeant Bangura appeared for the Inspector General of Police.
The case was for mention and was adjourned to October 1^st 2018, at 10 am

‘Social Security Owns GTSC’ Finance Minister.

By:Kebba AF Touray, Foroyaa Newspaper
September 21, 2018

Mamburey Njie, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, revealed to the Members of the National Assembly that the Social Security for Housing and Finance Cooperation (SSHFC), is the sole owner of The Gambia Transport Service Company. Njie said this in response to a question asked by Member for Jarra East Sainey Touray, on behalf of Member Kombo South and Majority Leader, Kebba K Barrow, on the question of who the shareholders of GTSC were.
“It is hundred percent owned by SSHFC and there are no shareholders”.
In a question on the total amount disbursed to staff of SSHFC as loans and the amount recovered, as well as the balance outstanding to date, raised by the Jarra East NAM, Njie responded that from 2008 to June 2018, the total loan disbursed to the staff of SSHFC is D136, 324, 651.03; that the total amount recovered is D9,081,550.04 and the balance outstanding to date is D127, 243,100.99.
In a supplementary question asked by the Member for Upper Nuimi, Omar Darboe on plans to recover this loan from the staff of SSHFC, Njie said: “it is not the responsibility of the Ministry Of Finance to recover the loans, but SSHFC have Senior Management and as far as I know, the loans are being paid, and they did not report any default or something like that. So it is not our responsibility, but the Senior Management of the Corporation.”
When asked why the outstanding amount by the MP for Bakau Assan Touray, Finance Minister Njie said it was due to repayments, as the loans are deducted directly from their salaries.
Finance Minister Njie said that a total of eighteen million, three hundred and nine-teen thousand, six hundred and sixty seven dalasi, has been spent on the President’s just concluded dialogue with the people tour.
Njie disclosed this yesterday in response to a question asked by Majority Leader, Kebba K Barrow.
On how much has been generated in terms of savings from the vehicle policy from July 2018, a question raised by Amadou Camara, the Member for Nianija Constituency, Njie said Government has spent D52.7 million and more, on motor vehicles, in terms of expenses (purchase and maintenance) this year, than last year at the same period.
“Expenditure on purchase of fuel and lubricants went up by D7.4million, whereas expenditure on purchase of Motor Vehicle increased from D60 million, to D113 million this year, (January to July)”, he said.
On the rationale behind cutting travel expenses on business class, except for Ministers and the cost of the each budget on travel, Njie said the rationale is to reduce travel expenses; that because the ratio of cost of the business class ticket to that of the economy class, is about 3:1.
On the total value of debts assigned to AMRC, a question raised by Alagie Mbow, the Member for Upper Saloum, Finance Minister Njie said as of August 2018, total value debts assigned to AMRC, is D 1,429,637,530.00 and the outstanding balance stands at D1,083,860, 537.94

GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: EX SG DRAMMEH KNEW ABOUT HIS FIRING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA; MOB RULE IN GAMBIA?

The dismissed Gambian Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service Habib Drammeh, knew about his firing on social media after closing from work on Friday, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Mr. Drammeh was with the President at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital on Friday, during the distribution of fleet of ambulances that were donated to the government by Riders for health. There was no indication that he was about to be shown the exit door. Both him and the President left the hospital for the State House after the distribution of the ambulances.
Drammeh retires for the day after close of business on Friday. He went home—hoping to resume work on Monday, little did he knew that President Barrow has parted company with him.

Like his predecessor Yahya Jammeh, Adama Barrow also does his firings of public officials on Friday. He asked his staff to issue a press release that he has fired SG Drammeh. The press release was copied to this medium, including the local press in The Gambia.
SPECULATIONS ON HABIB’S FIRING?
Habib Drammeh has been on the radar of Ousainou Darboe’s supporters for a while now. He has been accused of siding with the Social Security staffers, who had a dispute with their boss Muhammed Manjang. He was tasked by the President to oversee the mediation process, but he was later replaced by a task force constituted by Mr. Barrow.


Mr. Drammeh is among the old guards of the former Jammeh administration. He was dismissed from The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA) and jailed briefly before he was released. He was accused of embezzlement.
His reinstatement into the Civil Service was greeted by a strong resistance by the Darboe followers. He replaced Dawda Fadera, who was appointed Gambian Ambassador to the United States.
ANALYSIS 
Analysts believed that Habib’s replacement is a counter measure by the President to prevent some elements of the UDP from organizing a demonstration against his regime weeks leading to his United Nations General Assembly Submit attendance. Habib’s firing will restore decorum within the UDP base; that their favorite SSHFC MD Manjang will bounce back soon.
In other words, Barrow has thrown red meat to the UDP base by firing their nemesis Habib Drammeh. If you want, you can say Habib Drammeh is the sacrificial lamb as far as the SSHFC debacle case is concerned.
Adama Barrow cannot afford to travel to the UN and leave an unstable nation behind. He knew very well that the disgruntled elements within the UDP base are not taking the SSHFC case very lightly. Hence, he has decided to employ mitigatory measures before the country will be thrown into a state of chaos.
Manjang has volunteered a lot of information against Habib Drammeh to the President. Keep in mind that he was part of the Board overseeing the defunct GPTC, when Habib was MD of the company. Manjang has some dirt on Habib, according to sources familiar with the story.
The likes of Bamba Mass, the fake diplomat, will now feel vindicated. We will not be surprised if he claims credit for having orchestrated Habib’s firing.
BURNING BRIDGES
The rookie President is burning bridges with his former aides. There are far reaching political ramifications associated with his conduct.
Habib Drammeh knows a lot. He has accessed a lot of state secrets during the short stint of his employment with this regime.
It is suicidal for Barrow to treat him like a trash by firing him without availing him with respect. Habib can go dirty with Barrow, if he wants by exposing his secrets.
Mr. Barrow should be himself and stop imitating Yahya Jammeh. Yahya Jammeh is Yahya Jammeh, and Barrow is Barrow. The two are different. He cannot fake it!
Barrow accorded the same humiliating treatment to Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, the former Vice President. Now, word in the street, had it that the duo are trying to mend fences. Ms. Tambajang was among the government delegation to Ghana to attend Kofi Annan’s burial. She is in talks with Barrow, so we heard.
Mr. Barrow reserves the right to hire and fire public officials per the 1997 Constitution. But his gangster style of hiring and firing public officials is unacceptable. He should be man enough to face officials before firing them and thank them for their services to the nation than firing them like a MOB boss. We rest our case!

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai. - Freedom Newspaper, - September 15th, 2018
Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: SG DRAMMEH FIRED; BARELY 24 HOURS AFTER WARNING WORKERS TO BE PRODUCTIVE!

Barely few hours after touring government departments, where he warned Civil servants to take their job seriously and avoid unproductive work behaviors, Gambia’s Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service Habib Drammeh, has been fired with immediate effect, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Mr. Drammeh received his marching orders today. He has been replaced by Ebrima Camara, Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry.

No reason has been given for Mr. Drammeh’s removal. Drammeh briefly served as Interior Minister and was later redeployed to the State House to head Gambia’s Civil Service.

Mr. Drammeh taught President Adama Barrow while he was a student at the Muslim High School. He was the former Director General of The Gambia Tourism Authority
 Mr. Drammeh’s successor Ebrima Camara served as Diplomat at The Gambian Embassy in Brussels, Belgium. He was recalled to replace Njogu Bah, who was sacked by the President

Freedom Newspaper  - September 14th, 2018.

Faraba Commission to present findings to Barrow

The Point newspaper - Friday, September 14, 2018

President Adama Barrow will receive the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Faraba Banta incident. The Commission, led by a renowned human rights lawyer, Mr Emmanuel Joof, has successfully completed its mandate of investigating the circumstances surrounding the shootings in Faraba, according to a media release from State House. 

Accredited journalists interested in covering the events are kindly urged to confirm attendance by Sunday, 4:00 p.m.

In the same vein, the public is hereby informed that His Excellency, Adama Barrow, President of the Republic will on Monday 17th September 2018, preside over the swear-in ceremony of the members of the Lands Commission at the State House in Banjul. Similarly, the recently appointed deputy secretary to Cabinet will also take the prescribed oaths of Office, Secrecy and Allegiance on the same day.

3 Minors Deported From Germany

By Yankuba Jallow, Foroyaa newspaper - September 14th, 2018
Three minors and their mother, were deported from the Federal Republic of Germany.
The minors are aged 3, 6 and 9 years and two of them have been attending School in Germany.
In an interview with Foroyaa, their mother said she has been residing in German for over eleven years.
“The children were all born in Germany and were attending School in that country. I was just from shopping, when my door was knocked by the German Police. They asked me to pack my things, because I will be deported to the Gambia. They went for my 3 year old son at the Nursery School he was attending and brought him home,” she said.
She said since their arrival in the Gambia, the children’s health has been at stake because they are always sick.
“Currently, the two of them are sick. I am worried because they have never been to Africa. They were just packed and deported to the Gambia. I feel this is not fair. Their Schooling has now been interrupted and I don’t know what to do,” she said.
When contacted, Officials of the German Embassy’s Dakar Liaison Office in the Gambia, said they are always notified of every deportation that the German Government carries out.
“We are provided with the information of the deportees from Germany to the Gambia. We were not provided with the details of the children and their mother. They do not have any documents that they were deported from Germany. We cannot do anything about their case,” the Consular said

3 Killed In Bus-Motor Bike Crash.

Fatal accident involving The Gambia Transport Service Company’s (GTSC) bus is reported to have killed three people at Sare Talata village in the Jimara District, Upper River Region, The Point has been informed.

The accident that occurred around 2 p.m. was said to have killed a man and his wife and their two months old baby. They were riding on a motorbike, our source revealed.

The bus was believed to be coming from Basse heading to Kombo, while the motorbike was heading towards Basse.

The victims, our source said, are all from Tokundo village in the southern Casamance region of Senegal. They were taken to Basse Major Hospital but later referred to Bansang Hospital in the Central River Region.

Author: Momodou Jawo, The point Newspaper, September 14th, 2018