By Mustapha Jallow
The Association of members of the Fifth Legislature of the Gambia on Tuesday donated sanitary products and fans to the inmates at the female wings of the Mile II Central Prison as part of its efforts in contributing to the development of the country.
Presented to the authorities at the Prison Administrative office, the donated items included four boxes of giant ceiling fans, one sugar testing kit, set of toothbrushes and tooth paste, three set of towels etc.
Speaking before the handing-over ceremony, Keita Saidy, deputy director general for Gambia’s prisons expressed gratitude for this noble gesture, while describing the prisons as one of the “neediest’’ department in the country because prisoners are confined at one-place.
He added: “These facilities (prisons building) had been here since colonial days and need more improvement. The DG is trying as much as possible to do a lot of work aside to ensure the place is livable but the condition is poor.’’
Bakary Njai, ex-NAM for Bundungka Kunda constituency – now the Coordinator of the group, says their mission is to give back to the Gambian citizens – who at one-point elected them at the house. He explained their visit at the prisons aims to assess those who are really in need at the Mile 2 prison.
“What we saw in the prison, we know that you need help. We are partners in development, and we know that government cannot do it all alone. So, after all our assessment in the prisons – we decided to help the female wing due to their conditions,’’ he explained.
Even though, Njai said most of the cells do have wall fans, but the few that they spotted without fans are provided with giant fans, saying they have also considered other areas of interventions.
For Musa Amul Nyassi, the chairperson of the group and former NAM of Foni Kansala, said: “We are contributing our quota and compliment the efforts of the government of the day – in providing for the inmates. As I said earlier, being in prisons do not necessarily mean you are bad and wicked people in the society. That is not the case. That is how Allah has desired their lives, and they must have to go through confinement.’’
The materials donated, he says, are worth over D50,000.
He also talked about the achievements his newly formed organization had registered in the prisons within just few months, saying that this is their 4th outreach since the organization was launched this year.
Nyassi added: “I want to implore all institutions be it national or international to come partner with FLAMG, so that next time when we are back Mile 2 prisons – we would be able to support not only Mile 2 central prisons, but other wings within the prisons.’’
The association, according to members, is apolitical, non-governmental and charitable organization that comprises former Fifth Legislature Members of the Gambia, who served their nation and intend to continue contributing positively the country’s welfare and developments.
