Tragedy At State House-As Jammeh Dismantles His Government

Four Minsters Axed- Four Minister In

President Jammeh Sinks

Staff Reporter Bakary Gibba and Modou Barry, Banjul

As he is gradually losing grip of the country amidst political uncertainty befalling  the impoverished West African nation---with reports of coups and counter coups continue to go unabated, Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh Friday officially began dismantling his Government in a bid to restore public confidence, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report. Ruling a nation faced by hunger, destituteness, hopelessness, fear,  and growing insecurity amongst its citizenry, Mr. Jammeh is busy trying to make  last minute impressions by  shifting his political shortcomings to public servants, including the country's marginalized military.

At least four state ministers were  axed in Jammeh’s latest purging of his discredited cabinet---as the President announced in a statement that wanting public officials must start  looking for a job elsewhere outside government, stressing that his administration would continue to  exercise zero tolerance for lackadaisical workers.  Handing the dismissed ministers  with their marching orders late Thursday evening--following weeks of intensive searching for their replacement,  Jammeh said his administration would not condone official  complacency.

A news statement read on state radio Friday said the President Yahya Jammeh acting under section 71 (4B) of the nation’s constitution has decided to relieve Lamin Star Bojang, Minister of Works Communication and Infrasture, Ismaila Sambou, Lands and Local Government Minister, Antouman Saho, Fisheries, and Natural Resources and Nancy Njie- Tourism Minister. The Government advanced no reason for these sackings- though it says dismissals came into effect Thursday February 4^th 2010.

While the sacked Ministers are yet to recover from Thursday’s storm-which send them packing, the President’s office’s statement also went on to name the successors of the fired officials. The terse release said the President acting on powers conferred on him by section 71(B) and 71(3) of the constitution effected the following cabinet appointments: Dr. Mamadou  Tangara was hired as Minister for Higher Education and Researches, Lamin Kabo Bajo-the erstwhile Gambian Ambassador to Iran, Minister of Fisheries and Natural Resources, Babucarr H.M Jallow, Trade, Industry and Employment Minister,  Fatou Mass Jobe, the renowned Gambian banker as Tourism and Culture Minister, and Pierre Tamba, Minister For Local and Government and Lands.  Mr. Yusupha Kah, the erstwhile Trade Minister was moved to the newly created Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. 

Meanwhile, President Jammeh has moved the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to the Office of the President. Mr. Jammeh is currently overseeing the said Ministry. The President is also in charge of the Information and Defense Ministries respectively.

The President has urged both new and old hired ministers to live up to expectations. He said they are hired to do a job and if they cannot deliver they should consider resigning.

"There will be no compromise for non performance and there would be no room for complacency. All ministers will receive maximum support to ensure achievement of our national aspirations. May Allah guide us  for a better Gambia,” the President said.

Fatou Mass Jobe, who  used to be a senior banker with the Nigerian PHB bank in The Gambia, has just resigned her position at the Bank with immediate effect. Mrs. Jobe is leaving the Bank for national service-as the President appointed her Tourism Minister.

Fatou Mass is  the Chairperson of The Gambia Red Cross and also a  former Manger with the Standard Chartered Bank Serre Kunda Branch. She is a  career Customer Service expert, who contributed immensely towards the advancement of the Standard Bank in The Gambia. Madam Jobe will no doubt deliver the goods if given free hands by the regime to maximize her expertise, said a  former core-worker of Fatou Mass.

The sacking of the Ministers never came as a surprise to many here. A close aide to the President said Mr. Jammeh is increasingly worried about his future. He is doing everything humanely possible to win the minds and hearts of Gambians, said the aide. The Presidential aide said Mr. Jammeh is living in constant fear and insecurity.

“ We are dealing with a mentally challenged President. Unless, he is arrested and put to his right place--which is jail, there cannot be peace in this country. He is virtually destroying every sector of our economy. I personally regret supporting him during his early days in office. We are waiting for the right time to accomplish our mission. This President has a diarrhea in the mouth. He lies a lot and never keeps  his promise to Gambians. He is the one dividing the country,”said the aide.

Also reporting was Editor Pa Nderry M’Bai in Banjul.