By Samba Mboob, Banjul
Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh is currently busy nursing an embarrassing encounter he had with the Financial Controller of the Banjul Breweries Fatou Sinyan-Mberegan, who turned down an Ambassadorial appointment recently accorded to her by The Gambian leader, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report. Madam Mbergan who served for many years, as the Banjul Breweries Financial controller, has rejected an appointment to serve as Gambia’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, according to competent State House sources. Her decision to reject the said job was premised on different reasons. Sources close to the heart of the Jammeh Government said Fatou Mberegan was not assured of her job security and as such was bid skeptical about the President’s motives. She was reluctant to accept the job given to her by the President. That she hates to quit her Banjul Brewery job, only to be hired and fired by the President, like other public officials.
Well placed sources close to the President’s office said Fatou Mberegan had written to the relevant authorities declining the Presidential offer. “ She was advised by her friends and family members not to take that High Commissioner position in Nigeria. She has since declined the offer. As we speak, there is no Ambassador to fill the vacant position in Nigeria. Fatou has good reasons to turndown the job because no one here is guaranteed of his or her job security. It was a wise decision on her part not to accept the job.” said a Permanent Secretary at the President’s office, who wished not to be named.
According to the Permanent Secretary “ Fatou Mberegan is a strong supporter of the President and his APRC Government. After weighing the situation, she decides not to accept the job. She however, thanked the President for offering her the top diplomatic post. She does not want to mortgage her Banjul Breweries job for an Ambassadorial job. She has written to us saying that she cannot serve under that capacity. The President has been embarrassed by these developments. He is currently scouting for Fatou’s replacement. No one here is assured of his or her job security. He kept on hiring and firing Public Servants without cause. It’s better to keep one’s job than to serve this administration. It doesn’t not worth it.”
State House sources said Fatou Mberegan is making more money at the Banjul Breweries. “ Friends and Family pressure contributed to her non acceptance for the said job. Fatou spent most of her life at the Banjul Breweries. I think the President wants to send her packing by offering her the High Commissioner job. She refuses to quit her job.” said our sources.
This reporter made several efforts to solicit reaction from Fatou Mberegan for comments during the weekend, but she was indisposed for comments. State House sources have confirmed Mberegan’s refusal to serve as High Commissioner to the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.
Madam Mberegan was appointed High Commissioner to Nigeria sometime ago by the President. She has since declined the offer.
Editors note: We wish Gambians happy independence anniversary. Keep the fire burning. Jammeh will soon go. It's a shame that the President is increasingly being isolated. Take your poorly paid jobs Jammeh. Gambians are no more fools.