By MUHAMMED S. BAH
Two of the main GSM service providers in the country have indicated that they have nothing to do with the blocking of the social 
media applications such as Whatsapp, IMO and skype.
Africell and Qcell have both made it clear that they are not responsible for the social media services and have not done anything to block access by the users in The Gambia as is being experienced now by subscribers.
As part of the efforts being made by Foroyaa to find out who blocked these services and why, this reporter has been talking to both the regulator and service providers for the answers but which have not been given yet.
Speaking to Musa Ceesay, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Africell, in his office yesterday, Tuesday 30 August 2016, he said they are not in control of the social media sites and particularly Whatsapp.
“We are a GSM operator who provides services to the general public, but we are not in control of social media sites,” he said.
A senior official at Qcell told this reporter that they have not blocked any social media site.
Asked whether they have received any directive to block the social media sites, the official responded in the negative.
Mr. Abdoulie Bass, the Gamcel PRO, told this reporter that he personally does not use Whatsapp or IMO and, as such, this is information that is news to him.
He, however, noted that he cannot say anything on the issue as at now unless he makes enquiry.
He also noted that Gamcell is a public institution that operates in accordance with government policies.
However, the Gamcel PRO promises to get back to this reporter as soon as possible after making his enquiry.
Efforts to get the version of Comium could not materialise as the officials responsible to make comments were at break at the time this reporter visited their offices. However, they will be contacted and their response would be made known.
