By: Kebba AF Touray
Member for Upper Saloum, Hon. Alhagie Mbowe, has urged the government to provide requisite resources to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency to tackle drug-related crimes in the country.
“With regards to drugs, there is the need for us to empower the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, with the requisite resources, such as mobility, to be able to perform their functions effectively,” he said.
Mbowe stresses the need to prioritize TVET in the country to create opportunities for the youth.
“Most of the areas such as the business sector are dominated by foreigners, and we need to revisit that trend,” he stated.
He expressed the need to come up with a policy that will regulate the issue of foreign exchange in the country, adding that how it is currently done in the country is harming the country’s economy.
Hon Mbowe made these statements on Wednesday 24th July 2024, during the adjournment debate of the parliament, where lawmakers expressed grave concerns on critical state matters that are affecting the citizenry.
These matters include security, health, fertilizer, and seeds for farmers, and education among others, and they have called on the government to provide swift remedies to the said matters that are affecting the citizenry.
Member for Jokadu, Hon. Salifu Jawo, hailed the government for the provision of health facilities in his constituency, improving the delivery of health care service needs of his electorate.
He, however, sought clarity on why two of the 40 communities in his constituency are omitted from the electricity project that is being implemented in his area by the government.
Lower Badibu Parliamentarian, Hon. Kemo Gassama, intervening in the 2024 State of the Nation Address on the agriculture segment, said the President has informed the assembly that his government has distributed seeds to the farmers across the country.
“My constituency did not benefit from the seed distribution that was done as claimed by the President. Also, the 180 tractors that the President said the government has provided to farmers, should have been provided to them earlier (farmers), because that will enable farmers to start their farming activities on time,” he said.
Concerning fertilizer, he stated that though the price has been reduced severally, it is still significant for the government to further reduce the price, adding that given the economic situation of the Gambia, the majority of farmers cannot afford the cost of fertilizer.
He added, “If we don’t invest heavily in agriculture, there is no way that we can attain the clarion call for food self-sufficiency”.
Member for Tumana, Hon. Nfally Kora, congratulated the government for bringing into his constituency, what he described as life-changing projects, such as the construction of a strategic road in his area.
He also vented concerns on one of such strategic roads which links Badari-Kuari and Perai and called on the government to consider constructing that road, adding that that is making access to Kulari a nightmare, due to its current dilapidated condition.
He also called on the government to help establish a police post in Tumana, noting that the border in the area is porous. He added that issues associated with border porosity can be mitigated.
Member for Janjnabureh, Hon. Omar Jammeh, said the recent allocation of land to President Barrow is a public concern, and sought clarity on the said allocation.
Hon. Jammeh expressed his disappointment with the Health Ministry, stating that he has been raising questions on the need for his area to be provided with an ambulance. He said the health minister has been giving him promises that his area will be provided with an ambulance. These promises, he said, have still not been fulfilled by the Health Minister.
Member for Sannementereng, Hon. Fatou Cham, expressed concern over how vehicles are parked along the Salagi forest and proposed that the Ministry of Forestry should consider allocating a portion of that area to be used as a standard car park.
On upgrading Sukuta health center to a major health center, she asked the Health Minister to provide an update on the status of upgrading the said facility.
She lamented: “Drug is a burning issue in the country, and I urge the relevant Ministry to really look into the issue, especially the issue of Kush which has been causing parents sleepless nights”.
Member for Sandu, Hon. Ebrima Jaiteh, highlighted that his area is confronted with issues such as road network, electricity supply, sports facility, and health, and called on the relevant Ministry to take note of these problems and provide swift actions to address them.
Member for Foni Kansala, Hon. Almameh Gibba, indicated that there are lots of junior schools in his area, with only one High school which is Fatima High School, which is in Bwaim.
Gibba called on the government to consider constructing more high schools in Foni, adding that the population of Foni, and the proximity between Bwaim and other villages, is quite distant, and traveling to the school can impact negatively on students’ performance.
He also called on the Interior Ministry to provide mobility to police officers in Foni, explaining that when the recent murder case occurred in his constituency, transporting the victim’s body to Banjul was impossible due to lack of a standard vehicle to do so.
Member for Banjul North, Hon. Muhammed L Bah, said the lack of medical equipment in the health facilities is a cause for concern, and challenged the government by saying “this is an issue that we must urgently address”.
On the president’s pronouncement that there will be a referendum in December 2024, he said that that pronouncement is unattainable, adding that the referendum requires processes that cannot be exhausted from now until December 2024.
“Everything about the D40 Million media grant was wrong. The GRTS is dilapidated, using analog instead of digital devices. The said D40M should have been given to GRTS to equip them with the required equipment,” said Member for Kiang West, Hon. Lamin Ceesay.
