GAMTEL House In Brikama Set On Fire!!!!

Amidst Reports Of An Organized Crime Group, Targeting Financial Institutions !!!!

….Military Showdown In The Making

By Staff Writer Landing Badjie, Banjul.

It seems as  there is an organized crime group in The Gambia, targeting Government’s main financial institutions. With barely less than fortnight after the burning of the Serre-Kunda main market and GAMTEL House in Banjul, the GAMTEL Branch in Brikama was set ablaze on Friday, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report.  The Western Region commercial Telecommunication outlet  was burnt beyond recognition. The fire destroyed a significant amount of telecommunication equipment and gargets, while speculations are rife that the military is embarking on a showdown by sabotaging main financial institutions in the country. The clandestine operation, which is  gaining ground, is eroding public trust and confidence on the Government. Many here are worried about the Government’s inability to arrest the situation.

Brikama has been reduced as a “ghost” town, as all lines of communication have been brought to halt. The majority of the town’s lines were dead, while helpless GAMTEL officials, appeared devastated by the amount of destruction caused by blaze. 

Members of the Fire and Ambulance Services responded to help put off the  fire, but they were unsuccessful in their bid to arrest the flaming fire. The fire engulfed the entire GAMTEL building and destroyed almost all the equipment there.

A visibly panic stricken GAMTEL official, who arrived at the scene, looking confused and worried, was heard complaining about the insecurity in the country. The official said he suspects that there is a “ group” within the country, targeting GAMTEL. The official then had a brief conversation with the team of police and NIA investigators, before leaving the scene.

An eye witness to the incident, informed the Freedom Newspaper that upon seeing the fire, he immediately called out for help. He says some neighbors also joined him by shouting for assistance. The eye witness said by the time the firemen arrived, the building was already consumed by the fire.

While there were no official statistics available about the monetary value involved in the said blaze, reports have it that close to D4Millon dalasi, worth of properties were destroyed by the fire. The circumstances surrounding the mysterious fire is yet to be determined. A panel of investigators have been set up to investigate the blaze.  

GAMTEL, the nation’s main telecommunication giant, is experiencing a major financial crisis. The company is on the verge of declaring bankruptcy, as it’s running out of profit. The company is said to be highly indebted. GAMTEL is unable to service its financial commitment to other telecommunication partners overseas, revealed an insider.

Security analysts knowledgeable in the field of rebellion in Africa, warn that if concerted efforts are not taken, The Gambia, risked being plagued into a full blow political turmoil.  “ This looks like an arms struggle. There is an organized group, I mean a disgruntled group in the country, busy discrediting the Government. The group is succeeding by the day, because public trust and confidence on the Government is shaking. Rebellions start like this…I guess these people are up-to- changing the Government. The group could be members of the armed forces or the civilian population. It happened in Liberia, Sierra Leone and elsewhere across the continent. We are witnessing the same trend here in The Gambia. I am not sure if the intelligence community are aware of the security challenges they are faced with it. This is indeed a cause for concern.”said a security analyst.

 The Managing Director of GAMTEL Katim Touray could not be reached for comment at press time. GAMTEL insiders said it will take sometime before Government can repair the damage caused by the blaze in Brikama. The insiders said some of the equipment had to be ordered from overseas, before the system would be fully operational.