Dear Mr.Editor,
May I offer a rejoinder,to the several articles of public interest visiting your esteemed newspaper.These range from security at Banjul International Airport, to corruption at a premier Hotel and my brief encounter with Mr.Baba Jobe. My first experience concerns outward travel through Banjul Airport to the U.K. and records a conversation with a member of Airport security.A gentleman who "popped up" to harrass me many times,in various locations throughout my years in The Gambia.
Once attending to my luggage and documentation at "Gambia Experience", {I was a good customer} check in desk,ready for the outward flight,I was summoned to the small room situated to the right of the check in desks, to follow my suitcase through the x-ray machine. Their I was met by this gentleman {yet again} who asked for D200 to have my case removed without the need for it to go through the machine.I laughed and said "you cant be serious"....what if I’m a terrorist and Ive got a bomb in my suitcase.To which he replied...." but your a big man everyone knows you are Michael and not a terrorist." I insisted that my suitcase went through the machine along with everyone elses.He persisted.I said " look theirs nothing in my suitcase except my used clothes for my washing machine when I get back home".He persisted.
I said " look my friend the Minister is out side waiting for me , do you want to speak to him".?At which he relented and walked away.
On a different occasion, he appeared to me in the transit lounge, complaining that he had cancer of the testicles..and asked me to go to the toilet with him to survey the tuma....I said to him " wheres your photographer..?He asked ,"What do you mean ". I said " Give me a break....as soon as you pull your pants down your friend will snap a picture of me looking at your privates and youll be blackmailing me for everything ive got. Do I have Mug tattooed on my forehead or what ".?...Kindly Pxxs Off. He left quite sharply as I was starting to lose it !!!
Over many years and 19 visits, I became accustomed to The Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.They treated me as a family member and I assisted the staff and their families in many ways.Whenever they had a grievance with the hotel , they would ask me to approach the General Manager, who became a very close friend.He is no longer there.
I was like there very own Union Leader.A fact I found quite amusing. On more than one occasion I found the General Manager in a position of extreme agitation and stress. He confided in me that
officers of the NIA, were persistently planting drugs in the hotel and were approaching him for money and favours.It was distressing to see him in such an appalling state especially as he had always been very kind towards myself and the many British Investors I brought with me.
I decided to telephone Mr. .Baba Jobe from my hotel room.His reputation was given to me as not very favorable.. and to approach him was regarded as not recommended.However, if id ever been afraid..I never would have bothered to continue my deep trust towards the cause of Gambians or return so many times.
To my surprise and great delight, Mr Jobe responded with great concern and was very eloquent and appeared well educated.He took my complaint seriously.After that time..and to the best of my knowledge. There were no further incidents. In deed.. the following day he was at the hotel and we passed each other.....He did not recognize me.. but I believe he visited the General Manager's office. Later that week the General Manager handed me a letter which expressed his gratitude to me and described that I was an honoured and Highly esteemed guest of The Corinthia Atlantic Hotel.This taught me never to Judge any public official by there adjudged ..poor reputation.From that date I spoke only as I had found.This is why I maintain my high regard for Gambian Government officials.
I remain Michael ..U.K.