Sidia Jatta Describes Jammeh’s Parliament Opening Remarks As “Baffling.”

MP Jatta Says He Feels Insecure To Live In Gambia

“Security is fundamental, but we know it is a big problem here. People have disappeared since 2006, and are still disappearing… yet nothing is done about it. I do not feel secure, so do many others,” The Wulli MP Tells Parliament

By Pa Nderry M’Bai, & Teneng Drammeh, Banjul

Veteran Gambian politician, and also an Executive Member of the opposition PDOIS party Hon. Sedia Jatta, has described President Yahya Jammeh’s National Assembly state opening remarks over his Government’s commitment to guaranteeing the security of Gambians as “baffling” adding that he Jatta “wonders how could the President mean that securities of “persons and properties” remain his government’s focus, whilst citizens are being disappeared untraced.” Mr. Jatta said since 2006, Gambians have been rendered missing, while there is no hope for people’s personal safety, and security in this country. The MP said he personally felt insecure, like other Gambians—citing the insecurity befalling the West African country.

The National Assembly started sittings on Monday, following President Jammeh’s opening of the legislature, which outlines among other things, his government’s plans for the fiscal year. The Wuli West parliamentarian rose to register his outrage at Jammeh’s statement, which he said is far below his expectations.

“I was baffled because the President says “we government” should monitor progress so as to attain vision 2020; hence what I had expected him to do was to evaluate Vision 2020, and tell us what policies we have implemented so far,” the Wulli Representative said.

According to Mr. Jatta “Security is fundamental, but we know it is a big problem here. People have disappeared since 2006, and are still disappearing… yet nothing is done about it. I do not feel secure, so do many others.”

Speaking with confidence before his parliamentarian colleagues, Mr. Jatta observes that inspite of the abundance of security agencies in this country – six in addition to NIA – yet the security of people is being threatened. He reminded the relevant authorities that  “it is our responsibility to make this country safe, create attractive image for investors; but there must be factors luring serious investors such as security and good governance.”

Reacting to President Jammeh’s assertion that The Gambia is the only African country expected to attain the Millennium Goals, Sedia questioned if poverty is not part of the current economic challenges threatening the lives of Gambians. He said it is a myth to admit that poverty is being reduced in The Gambia with the type of condition families lived here. He said The Gambia has a long way to sojourn in its bid to eradicate poverty. The average Gambian lives below one dollar per day, while unemployment is jumping the roof.

On the situation of health delivery system in this country, Sedia shared with NAMs the ordeal people of his area go through to get treatment. He said he once visited Yorobaol Health Centre at night, and found not even a candle light on, adding that staffing is poor,  and drugs are inadequate. This situation Jatta observes, is not peculiar to only Yorobaol, but other Health centers in Wuli.

Mr. Jatta is of the view that the Government should consider using Asset Management Recovery Corporation (AMRC) funds into agricultural advancement. He said there is no point in keeping the funds without investing it wisely.

“What is being accumulated by AMRC should be kept in a bank to create investment in agriculture. This will generate income. We cannot transform the Gambia if the money accumulated by AMRC is not invested. The Gambia is capable of becoming a modern state only if what is required to be done is done,” said Sedia.

He notes that  “if you want to promote and diversify agriculture.  We must add value to it. We need to supply our hotels the raw materials. Without this, they will continue to leave what is produced here and import what we already have.”  

Sedia adds that instead of instituting this, “farmers are being encouraged to farm without a ready market for them. The government owed farmers money and in some instances, it takes another rainy season for them to be paid”.

According to Mr. Jatta The Gambian economy is dependent. Sedia said as of 1985,  the country has a debt burden of about 2 billion,  and the president then says we cannot pay it till dooms day. “Now the debt stands at over 20 billion… so it is not possible for The Gambia to be a high income country as we are highly indebted”.

Mr. Jatta’s frank, and sober reasoning on the state of the economy, security, and other domestic problems facing this country, has been hailed by many who attended the sittings on Monday. They praised Mr. Jatta for conveying the needs, aspirations, and predicaments of poverty stricken Gambians.