Gambia calls for lifting of sanctions on Cuba

Lamin Jahateh, Banjul The Gambia Parliamentarians had ratified a resolution calling on the United Nations, the United States of America and the International Community, to lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba since 1960. “It is a matter of particular urgency,” said Hon. Fatou Mbye, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia on Monday while tabling the motion before the National Assembly for ratification. Pic: Hon. Fatou Mbye, Deputy speaker, Gambia National Assembly Hon. Mbye calls on the United Nations Security Council and all its bodies to reconsider their positions and urge the Government of the United States of America to lift the embargo and blockade imposed on the Government and people of Cuba for over half a century now. The United States of America imposed sanctions on Cuba which was endorsed by the Security Council, following the Cuban missiles crisis in 1960. The Government of The Gambia, through the National Assembly of The Gambia, is calling on the Security Council and the USA to lift this “inhumane and unjustified” sanction against people of Cuba. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Gambia said United States spent millions of Dollars to enforce “that unjust embargo in the name of protecting the people of America from threat of communism”.  “History has proved that Cuba and Communism had never been threat to the USA and its peace loving people.” The Parliamentarians said the threat from Cuba was a perceived speculation and fifty years on, “we can conclude that the threat was not real but perceived”. “Cuba and Communism had never been a threat to the security of The United States of America, and the United States must also admit that ‘a dwarf is in as much a human being like a giant’ that is a small peaceful country republic like Cuba is a sovereign state like the most powerful kingdom on earth,” Hon Mbye said. In 2009, 187 Member states of the United Nations voted in favour of lifting the blockade.  This constitute a true demonstration that the battle to lift the blockade enjoys the acknowledgement and backing of the overwhelming majority of the International Community, including The Gambia. The President of The Gambia, Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh on September 24th 2009, in addressing world leaders at the 64th United Nations General Assembly in New York, called on the UN to urge the United States of America to immediately and unconditionally lift the embargo on Cuba in accordance with the wishes of more than 98% of the membership of the UN. “This trade embargo continues to hurt Cuban women and children.  The Cuban children that are born into these extreme hardships have committed no crime.  The punishment of women and children because of political difference is a very serious violation of Human and Children’s Rights,” President Jammeh said. The majority Leader of the National Assembly, Fabakary T Jatta said the blockade violates International Law.  It is against the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.  It constitutes a transgression on the right to peace, development and security of a sovereign state.  In its essence and purpose, it is a unilateral act of aggression and constitutes a flagrant, massive and systematic violation on the rights of an entire people. “The American taxpayers are financing the cost of this blockade at the expense of the much needed welfare service for the poor, Hon. Jatta said. He said the state apparatus of the United States of America particularly the CIA got it all wrong in 1960 for advising and imposing economic sanctions and blockade on peace loving people of Cuba.

Gov’t secures $15.9 Million loan for building infrastructures in rural areas

The government of The Gambia has signed a loan agreement, amounting to ID (Islamic Dinar) 10.57 million, which is equivalent to US$15,860,000 or GMD 453.87 million  with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for financing of The Gambia Community Based Infrastructure and Livelihood Improvement Project. The loan agreement, which was sourced from Waqf Fund of Islamic Development Bank Group, was signed in Jeddah, kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the 25th November 2010, by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Abdou Kolley on behalf of The Gambia Government, and Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of IDB Group, on behalf of IDB. The loan attracts an interest of 2.5% maximum, commitment fee of 0.5% and it is to be paid within a period of twenty five (25) years including seven (7) years grace period. “The Gambia Community Based Infrastructure and Livelihood Improvement Project will provide required community based infrastructures to meet ever growing demand due to population growth and increased agricultural productivity also to mitigate disaster related losses caused by heavy rains,” said the Minister of Finance while tabling the loan agreement for ratification at the National Assembly in Banjul on Monday 13th December 2010. Hon. Kolley told the parliamentarians that the project aims to support the government’s strategy for alleviating poverty in rural and peri-urban zones through targeted assistance for economic infrastructures and livelihood activities in a more enabling environment using the Community Driven Development (CDD) approach. He said the project would help alleviate poverty and its consequences by increasing social and economic opportunities of the beneficiaries by improving access to basic social and economic infrastructure, increasing the social capital of the communities to organize collectively to meet their own needs, fostering local governance and citizenship through creation of self-managed project-related structures for the beneficiary communities, and supporting and expanding the role of existing local government councils and relevant technical departments in integrating policies and complementary programs and projects at the local level. The Finance Minister explained that the project is expected to be implemented within a period of four years.  The executing agency, he added, is the Ministry of Local Government and Lands through GAMWORKS, which has over 15 years of experience in donor-financed project implementation. He told the National Assembly Members that The Gambia Community Based Infrastructure and Livelihood Improvement Project is accompanied with a grant component to compliment the loan resources for an amount not exceeding US$ 400, 000. “The grant resources shall be used solely to cover the cost of the consultant experts, capacity building and institutional development for GAMWORKS and focal points of local communities and chain support for microfinance operators in the country,” he elucidated. The loan attracts an interest of 2.5% maximum, commitment fee of 0.5% and it is to be paid within a period of twenty five (25) years including seven (7) years grace period. National Assembly Members unanimously ratified the loan agreement after some period of debate and recommendations.

BOOMING TIMES FOR UTG: Government Signed a D456.83 Million Loan

By Lamin Jahateh, Banjul The Government of The Gambia and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) had signed a loan financing agreement that would bolster the quality of education provided by University of The Gambia (UTG). The ID (Islamic Dinar) 10.620 million project - equivalent to US$15.672 million or GMD 456.83 million – which was signed in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the 25th October this year, by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Abdou Kolley on behalf of The Gambia Government, and Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of IDB Group, on behalf of IDB, would improve both access to, and quality of higher education in The Gambia. Pic. Source: UTG Improving access The project aims to improve access to higher education by construction and equipping of faculty of arts and sciences, faculty of business and public administration, and faculty of information technology and communications;  construction of general administration, registrar and accounting buildings, as well as a library,  construction of 540 hostels for students and 40 residences for lecturers, and acquisition of the relevant equipment and furniture for the concerned infrastructure. Improving quality The project aims to improve the quality of higher education by providing in-service training for at least 17 lecturers of the UTG at academic institutions in IDB member countries, revision of the curriculum of UTG in order to make it more relevant to the job market and socio economic environment, twining arrangement with IDB member countries universities as well as staff exchange will be carried out, and acquisition of teaching and learning materials and equipments. Tabling the loan financing agreement at the National Assembly in Banjul, on Monday 13th December 2010, for ratification, the Minister of Minister, Hon. Abdou Kolley told the parliamentarians that this project is the second in a series of co-financing instruments for the UTG Project.   He reminded the legislators that they have ratified the Kuwaiti Fund Financing Agreement on the 12th September this year, during their 3rd sitting for 2010 legislative year, which is the first co-financing instrument for the Project. Hon. Kolley told the National Assembly Members that the Arab Bank for Economic Development of Africa (BADEA) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) appraised their own components of the UTG Project during the first week of November, 2010 and are expected to present their appraisal reports to their respective Boards in December, 2010. “Once these two approvals are secured, this will close the financing gap for the first phase of the UTG Project estimated at US$53 million,” he said. While reiterating the government’s commitment to the University of The Gambia Project, Hon. Kolley said “I take this opportunity to thank our development partners for their support and cooperation”. The Finance Minister recalled that when he was presenting the Kuwaiti Fund Financing Agreement for consideration and approval of the parliamentarians “I did indicate that a project Implementation Unit was to be set up under the office of the president”. “For the sake of expediency, Cabinet has now decided that the Project be implemented through the Project Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology as executing agency.  The project steering committee comprising of Ministries of Higher Education, Finance, Works, and Offices of the President and Vice Chancellor, has been established to oversee the implementation of this important project,” he explained. While seconding the motion, Hon. Nyang Njie, National Assembly Member for Jeshwang described the loan agreement as a “non controversial agreement” saying that it is technically sound, economically and socially justified. Hon. Njie urged her other colleagues to give their blessing to the agreement and ratify it. Hon. Paul Mendy, National Assembly Member for Kombo South also reiterated that the loan agreement is not a controversial agreement that “we should belabor on, so therefore I urge Members to consider and ratify it without any delay”. For Babanding KK Daffeh, National Assembly Member for Kiang Central, if the purpose of the loan agreement is fulfilled, we shall never regret. The Majority Leader and National Assembly Member for Serekunda East, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, said investing in human capital is the surest way of developing a nation; noting that the loan is a laudable initiative. At the end of the debate, lawmakers considered and ratified the loan agreement.

Merge Gamcel with Gampost, MP suggests

By Lamin Jahateh, Banjul National Assembly Member for Kiang Central Babanding K.K. Daffeh  has suggested the Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure to consider merging GAMPOST Agency and GAMCEL, the national GSM operator, as one public enterprise “so as to increase their revenue base, services and delivery”. Hon. Daffeh made this suggestion on Wednesday at the National Assembly in Banjul during the question-and-session of the fourth meeting of the National Assembly in the 2010 legislative year, which is also known as the budget session. During these sessions parliamentarians put across to ministers various issues of national concern. Responding to the question of the Kiang Central Parliamentarian, the Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Hon. Alhagie Pic: Minister of Information and Communication infrastructure, Hon. Alhagie Cham  Cham, said:  “The amalgamation of Gampost and Gamcel is an idea which Government does not wish to consider because both Institutions are performing as expected under their current set up.” Both Gamcel and Gampost are profitable and are financing their operations from internally generated revenues. Hon. Momodou L.K. Sanneh, National Assembly Member for Kiang West, also said: “Could the Hon Minister for Information and Communication Infrastructure inform this august body what Gamtel is doing about the expansion project for the installation of telephone lines for new settlement that are in need of the telephone.” The Information and Communication Infrastructure Minister told the legislative body that Gamtel has made a decision to replace its existing obsolete switches and transmission networks to a Next General Network (NGN) to enable the company introduce new products and services. “Gamtel is in the process of awarding the contract which is expected to be completed within 18 months from signing,” Hon. Cham said. He said when the project is completed Gamtel will expand its network and connect many more customers including those in new settlements. Interior Minister Hon. Abdoulie Saine, NAM for Banjul Central, asked the Interior Minister how much revenue has been realised from the fines for the use of mobile phones by drivers while driving as well as failure to use seat belts by drivers and passengers. Responding on behalf of the Interior Minister, who was absent at the parliament, Hon. Sheriff Gomez, Minister of Youths and Sports said the revenue collected from fines for the use of mobile phones while driving, and failure to use seat belts is paid into a special account at the Central Bank of The Gambia. He said records have shown that two hundred and twenty two thousand seven hundred dalasis (D222, 700.00) have been realized from the said fines.  “Please note that the amount is from January to 23rd November 2010,” he explained. At its second meeting in the 2008 Legislative year, the National Assembly amended the Motor Traffic Act, prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving in traffic and driving in traffic without a seat belt. Under the revised Act, a person who uses or talks on a mobile phone when driving on a road commits an offence. But if the person uses a hands-free phone set whilst both hands are on the steering wheel, he or she is not liable for any offence. The Act also prohibits the driving of a motor vehicle on a road unless the person is fastened to a seat belt. It shall also be an offence under the Act for a person driving a motor vehicle to have in the front seat of the vehicle a passenger who is not restrained by a seat belt. Consequently, any person who contravenes the use of mobile phone while driving shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to a fine of not less than D2, 500 and a fine of D1000 and not more than D1,500 for any person who contravenes the mandatory use of seat belt.

Price of diesel increases

By Lamin Jahateh, The Gambian Banker, Banjul The pump price, per liter, of diesel has increased with effect from today 10th December 2010, from D33 to D35, a news release from the Ministry of Finance revealed. The news release, which was issued on Thursday, stated that the increased has been necessitated by the global price of fuel which has been on the rise throughout the year.  “Consequently the government has been subsidizing the price of diesel,” it indicated. It could be recalled that the prices of both petrol and diesel were increased in May 2010 to reflect the rising price of the fuel in the world market.  However the increase in the price of diesel was much lower “thereby making the price of diesel much lower than the real world market price,” the release stated. The release further stated that the price increase is limited to diesel only and the price of petrol remains the same.  It further states that the Ministry of Finance will continue to monitor developments in both the international and domestic markets and will review the price situation when the need arises. In 2008, the pump prices of Super Petrol, Gas Oil (diesel) and Kerosene were increased.  The prices were increased as follows; Super Petrol from D30.00 to D33.00 per liter; Gas Oil from D28.00 to D32.00 per liter and Kerosene from D21.00 to D26.00. However the prices of diesel and petrol were further increased in June this year.  The price per liter of diesel was increase from D32 to D33 and petrol from D33 to D38. As speculation where high that the increment of diesel to from D32 to D33 would increase transport fares, the Vice of The Gambia, Dr. Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy has said the increment of D1 should not affect mass transport fares. Now, for the fact that diesel is more related to mass transport so the current increment of D2 (from D33 to D35) many people believe would reflect in the mass transport tariff since more vehicles use diesel than petrol.

Gambia Gov’t solicits funds abroad for construction of waste incinerators

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By Lamin Jahateh, The Gambian Banker, Banjul The Gambia government is soliciting funds abroad for the construction and operations of waste incinerators, which are machines for burning waste materials. Waste incineration is one of the several appropriate technologies to treat municipal waste. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Kalifa Kambi, who represented the minister of Forestry and Environment at the National Assembly in Banjul on Wednesday, said the construction of such incinerators with the proper environmental safeguards “is extremely costly”. “The funding of such a plant is still being solicited abroad,” he says. Pic. Kalifa Kambi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture “In The Gambia we have had two comprehensive feasibility studies on waste incineration with energy recovery,” he told the National Assembly while responding to a question posed by Hon. Babanding K.K. Daffeh, National Assembly Member for Kiang Central, asking whether the ministry of Forestry and Environment overseeing climate change had any plans to tap consumer-wastes into renewable energy, either for domestic or industrial use. Deputy Minister Kambi recalled that the first study concluded that the sand content in the domestic waste stream was too high and therefore the remaining waste volume after mechanically sorting the constituent with high calorific values, would not be economically viable in The Gambia due to economy of scale. He said the second study was conducted by a Swedish consortium that would complement the shortfall in the waste volume by plating fast growing plant species that would be used to address the shortfall to fuel the combustion in the proposed incinerator. It is widely considered more cost-effective that the waste incinerator is connected to an electricity generating power plant which receives its main source of fuel from the waste materials themselves, he says. “For medium-sized waste incinerators, the waste is mechanically sorted to separate the constituents with high calorific values and these are then pulverized to form the fuel for combustion;” he elucidated. Kambi admitted that waste disposal and management continues to pose a big challenge to the Ministry of Forestry and Environment, and the government. He said: “It is very encouraging that the government is very concerned, and thus we must jointly show our appreciation to the noble initiative ‘operation clean the nation’ - the monthly setsetal of President Jammeh.” However, the exercise is beginning to suffer from inactive participation.  “I could only wish that we, the Gambians, understand the reason behind the brilliant idea of monthly setsetal,” he noted. Though sensitization activities on waste management and related issues are vigorously going on through radio broadcasts and in focus group meetings aimed at raising the level of environment in the society, Hon. Kambi says there “is need to look for this noble exercise”. He said:  “Among other avenues, we can explore competitions and thus we would like to invite corporate bodies to sponsor prizes for the best performing locality or district as well as the most improving and the most participatory.” Recent Cabinet directive on waste management urged the institution of a working group composed of the ministries of Forestry and Environment, Local Government, Health, the municipalities and governors, to ensure the full commitment of all Gambians. It also advised that inspectors from the NEA and health as well as services personnel are facilitated to be visiting sites and settlements. “This shows the leadership and the paramount care of the government,” Deputy Minister Kambi said, adding: “A cabinet paper on the progress so far will be submitted soon.”

Low payment of regulatory fees hampers PURA’s activities

By Lamin Jahateh, The Gambian Banker, Banjul The Gambia Public Regulatory Authority (PURA) has disclosed that low payment of regulatory fees by operators in the telecommunications, electricity, and the water and sewage sectors has continue to hamper some of its regulatory activities. Even though the amount collectible as regulatory fees by PURA was pegged at a ceiling of 1.5% of the operators’ turnover – which is one of the lowest rates charged by regulatory authorities in Africa - operators in The Gambia still not paying up fees as invoiced by the Authority. Pic: Director General of PURA, Mr. Alagi B. Gaye According to PURA’s 2009 Annual Report, out of amount of D42, 606 million budgeted as regulatory fees income, only D34, 376 million was collected, leaving an outstanding balance of D8, 229,651. The report added that all telecoms operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have fully paid their regulatory fees for 2009, excepted Gamtel, Africell, and Unique Solutions.  Out of the D11, 761,542 invoiced to Gamtel, it only paid D8, 821,157 leaving an outstanding balance of D2, 940,385.  Africell paid D9, 500,000 out of D10, 825,256 invoiced to them leaving an outstanding balance of D1, 325, 256.  Unique Solution did not pay a single butut out of D50, 000 invoiced to them. Again, National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) owe PURA, as they did in 2007.   NAWEC paid D5, 000,000 out of D6, 448 608 invoiced to them, leaving an outstanding balance of D1, 448,608 for 2009 regulatory fees. Global Electric Group (GEG), an independent power production company, paid D2, 000,000 out of D4, 465,402 invoiced to them, leaving an outstanding balance of D2, 465,402. “Undoubtedly, the non compliance by NAWEC and GEG has continued to hamper the implementation of some of PURA’s regulatory activities in the energy sector,” the report stated. “PURA depends on two main sources for its income.  These are regulatory fees from regulated utilities and government subvention,” it added. The amount demanded from operators as regulatory fees is based on the annual budget of PURA, which is approved by the Board of Commissioners.  The amount collectible as regulatory fees pegged at a ceiling of 1.5% of the operators’ turnover, which is one of the lowest rates charged by regulatory authorities in Africa. The ceiling was determined to ensure that “operators do not incur exorbitant regulatory charges which are passed on to consumers”, the report noted, adding that in the year 2009, 1.3% of operators’ turnover was invoiced.  Despite that consideration, the payment of regulatory fee by NAWEC and GEG has not been encouraging. The report noted that the major expenditure of the PURA has been on staff cost, the same as of last year.  “The Authority has been very prudent in utilizing its financial resources,” it stated adding that with the recruitment of more staff, and the outlook for the next nine months it is envisage that more resources would be spent on the procurements of essentials spectrum monitoring equipments and staff training, consumer outreach and sensitization programmes, consumer parliament sessions, consultancies and other staff incentives policies.