Editorial: Was The Civil Aviation Bird Story Report Another Hoax Or What?

…Jammeh’s Plane Declared A Threat To Aviation Safety

If the Gambia Civil Aviation press release is to go by, it is suicidal for anyone to travel with President Yahya Jammeh’s plane. The GCA investigative report on the so called “bird” incident,  catalogued numerous aviation safety issues, which disqualifies the Presidential jet from being flown. The plane is a threat to aviation safety. It should be grounded, until such a time that it is fit to hit the airwaves.

The Taiwanese Government secured the said plane for Jammeh.  The arrival of the plane attracted an unprecedented jubilation from his supporters. Little did Jammeh,  knows that this was an old plane. The plane was repainted and handed to him as a gift. That is why he is paying for the price of being cheap. Could you imagine what kind of disaster was awaiting Jammeh, and his entourage, if the pilot had not made an emergency landing? Why using an old plane in our airwaves-knowing for a fact that such practices contravened international  aviation safety regulations. 

We reported in this very paper recently about the grounding of Jammeh’s plane in Washington DC. Several thousands of dollars were wasted on that old rack plane.  Such funds could have been used on other developmental projects.

Now that his plane has been declared as a threat to aviation safety, we look forward to seeing how he Jammeh would coordinate his future overseas trips. We hope he is not going to hire private jets overseas to service his endless travels.

There is a stark difference between Jammeh, and deposed President Jawara. While Jawara was humble, Jammeh believed in flamboyance life style. He treats state assets, and funds as his personal property. Jammeh also believed that he owns Gambians. He is not accountable to say the least. He siphoned Central Bank funds into private bank accounts overseas. He also jail, and kill Gambians indiscriminately. 

While many here in Banjul are doubting the veracity of The Gambia Civil Aviation investigative report, critics say the report does not reflects the realities on the ground. For example, said the Government critics, President Jammeh is using the bird incident as an excuse to  discontinue his future overseas trips. They alleged that the President is increasingly worried over the loyalty of the army, some of whom are displeased with the status quo.

While we do not want to side with the said critics, it is imperative to note that the Civil Aviation's  so called bird report raises more questions than answers. One is compelled to conclude that these people are economical with the truth. We even questioned if the said report was not doctored  just to appease President Jammeh, who trades on deception, and lies.

There are so many grey areas in that report. We have not yet been told when was the plane last serviced for safety inspection.  What happened to the DC recent maintenance on Jammeh’s plane? If the plane was in such a bad condition as claimed by the Aviation authorities, why authorizing for its usage? One is even compelled to ask: Whether this was not even a sabotage, if the so called report was to go by?  Since the report was slanted, our questions would be premised on assumptions. We rest our case!