Describes Jammeh’s 13-Year Regime as Failure

In yet another bout of criticism against the ruling APRC, Mr. Halifa Sallah of the opposition National Alliance for Democracy and Development, has picked on the government for what he described as their total failure since it came to power 13 years ago. “I must emphasise that the APRC regime has failed to properly manage the social services on a sustainable basis and in that regard the Gambia is a heavily indebted poor country,” Mr. Sallah asserted.

Speaking at a press conference on the commemoration of the July 22nd held at the Peoples Centre in Serrekunda yesterday, the NADD spokesperson stressed the need for each and every Gambian to ask him or herself what has been accomplished during the past 13 years by the Jammeh regime to enhance the liberty, dignity and prosperity of the people as, in another two years, President Jammeh would have been in office for 15 years, Mr. Sallah stated.

According to him, when the coup occurred, the constitution was suspended, parliament dissolved, the executive abrogated to make way for the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council, which assumed the roles of both the Executive and Legislature at the same time, thereby forcing all organs of government to derive their authority from the council while the sovereignty was suspended.

Mr. Sallah reasoned that since the regime is busy promoting a culture that romanticises a coup d’etat which led to the suspension of the sovereign rights of the people to determine their manner of government, he had no option but to use the occasion to promote a culture of democracy which is dedicated to the assertion of the sovereignty of the people.

He added that the fact that the day is commemorated to ensure that it remains indelible in the minds of the people shows that The Gambia is yet to have a good government, which truly cherishes the sovereignty of the people. “Governments are put in office to be able to enhance the prosperity of the people, their dignity and liberty,” he said, adding that it is impossible for one to continue to live above their means.

Mr. Sallah noted that 24th April 1970 would have been the day worthy of commemoration, adding that the day is better suited to be used as a reference point to take stock annually on whether there is a balance, surplus or deficit in the liberty or general welfare of the people or not. This, he went on, confirms that the culture of the sovereignty of the people is yet to take root in The Gambia.

Turning to the side of the economy, he asserted that the best way to manage the public sector is to ensure that public enterprises operate on a profitable basis and pay dividend at the end of year to government. “Government can utilise that to provide social services or to invest in that particular sector so that it expands and generates employment,” he suggested.

On the private sector, Mr. Sallah opined that the sector should have been able to harness well from the banking system, invest in the productive base and expand employment.

“Essentially then, I can say this government has not been managing the public enterprises in their proper way. It cannot expand their productive base and employment and in that respect it has failed,” he contended, adding that the issue is neither about Jammeh nor about Halifa Sallah but about a public office whose occupant should be open and receptive to criticism.