By MUHAMMED Sailu BAH
President Jammeh yesterday postponed the constitutionally required address of the Nationally Assembly in the last minute. He 
was scheduled to arrive at 5 pm but it was not until 6 pm when all dignitaries, cultural troops and the civil society members were seated to welcome him and listen to his address that the postponement was announced.
The postponement was announced by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang: “The state opening of the National Assembly was scheduled today 17 March 2016 but it has been postponed till further notice due to circumstances beyond our control, and you will be informed whenever a date is scheduled. I urge you to keep your invitation cards so that whenever a date is set up you can use them to come,” noted Speaker Abdoulie Bojang. This announcement came when everyone was seated, some as early as 3pm. Everyone dispersed immediately the announcement was made by the Speaker.
When the majority leader and Member for Serrekunda East, Hon. Fabakary Tomgong Jatta, was asked as to whether a reason was communicated to them, he answered in the negative. “We were just told that the president cannot come,” he disclosed.
The question was put to other National Assembly members and even the clerk, but they all responded in the negative.
The minority leader and Member for Niamina Dankunku, Hon. Samba Jallow, told journalists that this is a big blow to the country. He added that this is a waste of tax payer’s money and a waste of time as well.
“The president should have told us that he cannot come earlier but not to wait until the eleventh hour and tell us that he cannot make it. This is really a disgrace, and how can other diplomats or country representatives value us if the president does not?” he retorted.
Similar remarks were made by Modou Bamba, the National Assembly member for Lower Saloum.
