NMDA’S verbiage of colorful strings!

Essa Khan be apolitical or be ready to be tackled from now onwards!

By Essa Bokarr Sey.

Knowing very well that Sidia Jatta can handle, tackle and rebuff everything that was written in the under mentioned reaction, I came on stage to counter another crack from this endless-concealed-propaganda. Why rush on the media with such a ANGRY TONE for that matter? I believe those of us who read or analyze what is taking place in The Gambia should never remain silent spectators where wrong is being promoted as something true. Especially where it is coming from sources we “close” within a context.

Personally even if or when I am woken from deep slumber I will never doubt the findings of Sidia Jatta especially where he decides to come out in the open and reveal what is hidden. I understand that he is human and can err however Sidia’s legacy speaks for itself with reference to Gambian politics. In this very piece your reaction will be given a fitting analysis from the angle of an independent reader. This is about national matters therefore speaking, writing or “spewing” anything for the public to consume can never be “evangelical” or “biblical”.

In as much NMDA is on the ground and gathering data for its own files (accurate or misleading), let them also be informed that alongside there are parties who are so much interested in what affects our nation. These parties do also have access to raw data-which may even touch on deeper details or penetrate stratified layers of “half-baked” coded findings far more than what NMDA can see or touch! Research is hypothetical, research or gathering data is never “evangelical” or “dogmatic” per se. Where there is a margin of error responsible officials should always be ready to face challenges with maturity but not “ringing” anger!

After all NMDA approaching disaster relief should always be apolitical to say the least.

Is your organization speaking for itself or speaking for The Gambia government?

The latter appears to be more apparent within coded messages. Remember none of us out here has any interest in addressing personal matters with you but we will also not sit back and relax on sofas while watching you or anyone for that matter, mislead the society with such coded propaganda being propelled by anger and “false pride”.

Read the analysis below each and every paragraph you “spewed” on line. Let me also promise you this. Now that you have chosen to come out in the open-politically, be ready.

No one will be spared during this marathon towards the end of the lane.

Monday, August 30, 2010

QUOTE:

“The National Disaster Management Agency, through the Regional Disaster Management Office in the Upper River Region has reacted to comments made by Hon. Sidia Jatta, the National Assembly Member for Wuli West constituency on the initiative done by the agency to help disaster victims in his constituency. Hon. Jatta, who was speaking at a press conference last Thursday, said that despite the numerous disasters in his constituency, "nothing has been done by the agency to support the victims."

Below is the full text of the reaction of the Regional Disaster Management Office, Upper River Region, signed by Mawdo Amadou Jallow, the Regional Disaster Management Coordinator:…”

Analysis

If Mawdo Amadou Jallow,the regional Disaster Management Coordinator is reporting official, I wonder why Essa Khan’s name was written at the bottom of the article as its author? These words in quotes are the very ones which attracted the attention of NMDA’S fists of FURY!!! "nothing has been done by the agency to support the victims"! Mr. Khan if you are so adamant and furious while trying to teach people coordination and management let me tell you one thing here today! Your lessons were not planned at all! A person of your caliber could have handled this in a more mature way. You were informed by Jallow right? Well at least you cannot dispute the latter because your very article on the point news paper has left those traces verbatim therein. Instead of “spewing” all this so-called “irrefutable” data online then at the same springing, swinging around like an uncontrollable noise-maker what stopped you from rethinking this reaction before acting? It is understood that you are out to defend your desk and files. However, what stopped you from saying words like the following as a first reaction?

Here is my suggestion….

“Honorable Member Sidia Jatta, my office has been notified in respect your observation regarding its activities(or image) in your constituency. To that effect and as the head, I will visit the area once again, gather latest details and reactions from the affected parties per your press conference, then look into what we might have missed along the way. Likewise I would also suggest that you find time therefore visit the area during my tour of duty. Although we are an apolitical organization, your presence on the ground could help us identify other hidden factors as you are more familiar with the zone for obvious reasons. Mr. Jatta, please take note of the fact that inviting you is not meant to score points but it is rather meant to compare notes. In this case it is better for both sides to use a common approach thus achieve good results. Considering the fact that all of us are concerned citizens, I believe our intension is geared towards assisting the affected parties access resources, through our collective efforts…”

"The Regional Disaster Management Office and committee Upper River Region have learned that the Hon. Member for Wuli West Sidia Jatta has plans to launch a disaster fund. This statement was contained in an article carried by The Point and Foroyaa News papers in their Friday 27th August 2010 edition. However, in the view of the Regional Disaster Management Committee (RDMC) and office it is a welcome development, but it must be done within the context of the law governing resource mobilization for disaster victims as per broad terms of the National Disaster Management Act 2008. However, the RDMC do not share any of the facts advanced by Hon. Jatta, as to the reasons prompting him to launch an appeal.

QUOTE: “Let me set the records straight

Firstly, the RDMC conducted a detail assessment not only in Sutukonding but the whole of the region, including Madinna Koto, Sutukoba, Birifu Foday Kunda, Kaba Kama, Bassending Dampha Kunda, Tambasansang, Basse, Koba Kunda layout, Samba Tacko, and Sabu Sireh. Please allow us to add your understanding that not only did we carry out a detailed assessment, but also held a major distribution exercise in Basse, Sutukoba and Foday Kunda. In the recent distribution held in Basse on 16th August 2010, the three most severely affected families from Sutukonding received support. Therefore, it is misleading to say there was no assessment and support.

Regarding Sutukoba, this office not only have it carried out an assessment of the damage, but distributed food items to the victims in Sutukoba and Foday Kunda in fact through an NGO partner WASDA.

In addition, these offices have never received any report on fires in Barrow Kunda, but in Sutukonding where only one family was involved in a number of times. In fact, the findings reveal that it was a shop belonging to one Yankuba Kijera. Disaster does not mean the disruption of the functioning of a family, but society or community causing widespread damage with that community not having the capacity to coop requiring outside support.

END OF QUOTE

Analysis.

Did you listen to yourself? This is exactly where my title is stemming from! Nothing someone earns my respect in this angry reaction to say the least. Everything is based on anger, side tracking, supporting the status quo with “false” pride. Look at these words in quotes and see how you have already set a trap for yourself before Sidia or any other person comes to dispute what you wrote.

First you said: “this office not only have it carried out an assessment of the damage, but distributed food items to the victims in Sutukoba and Foday Kunda in fact through an NGO partner WASDA…. “

Analysis

Trying to score a point here right? If you had carried out assessment of the damage then what is left? Why distribute through an NGO or a partner like WASDA in this case? Well I will not be surprised where a the traditional reply knocks on my door! Saying things like: “That is the way we have been doing it!!!”

Was your organization running away from reaching the place and then be associated with PDOIS or NDAM? Is there any other reason? The statement in quotes is your guillotine in this bushy area of confusing verbiage from your own side.

“In addition, these offices have never received any report on fires in Barrow Kunda, but in Sutukonding where only one family was involved in a number of times”

Analysis

The above could as well take the place of a subject complement in a context right? Or you choose what you think fits here! How on earth can words like “carried out assessment of the damage” be matched with… words like “these offices have never received any report on fires…”

There are so many lope holes in this reaction of yours. By simply picking the “shining” spots one can easily send a rebuttal to the author. Be yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other side of the coin that makes me repel such BOSSY nature is words like…”never received any report!!!” Why wait to receive reports? Ah? You jump into your car, go on the ground and look at things for yourself! This is the very red tape Africa is going through. Even if you received reports you should have gone in person and see things for yourself! Why WASDA or waiting for reports? In fact if this was to be handled in a court of law and I happen to be the lawyer of the affected victims, I would have used the quotes in this very paragraph during my closing arguments, then get your organization on its knees. Of course I know you are not the state and the executive(I am using the courts as an example). 　

QUOTE:

"I am yet to hear what the national initiative has done to help those who have been affected by that terrible damage, in either damage, in either Sutukoba or in Sutukonding" This statement explains that Hon. Jatta does not listen to or watch the GRTS radio and TV.

Clearly, all this explains that Hon. Jatta is not in touch with the reality on the ground. For this reason, the Regional Disaster Management Office invites Hon. Jatta to visit the victims and find out for himself rather than relying on hearsay. Nothing stops Mr. Jatta from asking the Agency, the Disaster Governing Council or the Regional Governor as to what is happening, has happened or about to happen .

My office together with the NDMA and partners are pursuing vigorously to gather support for the actual disaster victims that are not yet provided for.

This office wants to reiterate that it has no problem with anyone wanting to help, but must do so within the limits of the law. Hon Jatta as one of the most experienced personalities in the Assembly I am sure will have no problem with that, especially as he was part of the process.?

END.

Author: Picture: Essa Khan - Executive Director NDMA

Analysis.

Words like “I am yet to hear what the national initiative has done to help those who have been affected by the terrible damage…” are simply misplaced and infantile to say the least.

If I were assigned to respond to your angry reaction within an official capacity, here is what I would have written to you!

I would have told you that the endeavors you are trying to search within your mind that is blinded by rage can as well be found in that very mind when you become sober and impartial. Anything “national” in this case is what helped create your own organization. Have you forgotten that? Is your organization a corporate competitor or one that is based on principles which are geared towards helping the helpless whether others do it or not? Not having seen the “national initiative” do something is why organizations like yours have been left to flourish. Recently people home and abroad saw checks of (D30,000.00) CRISS-CROSSING between your palms and others on the daily observer. Why publicize such monies, which are meant to help the helpless? Accountability is not the same as running along the lanes of those marking publicity tests!!!

Here again is another part which makes you more POLITICAL in this angry reaction(see below).

You wrote:

“This statement explains that Hon. Jatta does not listen to or watch the GRTS radio and TV“

Analysis.

Essa!!! TO HELL WITH GRTS, DAILY OBSERVER AND RADIO GAMBIA. So you are the one who weighs peoples’ commitment by judging them through what they hear or don’t hear from GRTS?

In fact that is why Sidia Jatta was able to KNOW THE TRUTH. If he had listened to GRTS or anything related to the state house then he would not have known the truth. He would have been misled like many of you out there who are pretending to be listening to the news when you all know that, it is not NEWS!

Meanwhile I am holding my horses until I see more from anyone of you out there pretending to think that your anger or colorful strings in this confusing verbiage can mesmerize us here. Sometimes I cannot help it but stand up and be counted within this absolute nonsense being called ’family roots’.