Alhagie Sulayman Touray, the newly appointed Alkalo of Gunjur, in the Kombo South District, on Monday paid a courtesy call on the governor of Western Region at his office in Brikama. The visit was meant to familiarize the newly appointed alkalo with the authorities in his region.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, governor Sanneh said former Alkalo Sabaki Touray’s resignation was neither a decision of the governor’s office nor a decision of the people of Gunjur. He disclosed that the former alkalo’s resignation was a decision from the public service regulation.

During the familiarization meeting, Governor Sanneh reaffirmed his office’s commitment to closely collaborate with the local authorities in his region. He urged the new Alkalo to live up to expectations in safeguarding the integrity of his village and The Gambia as a whole.

Other speakers included the Chief of Kombo South, Ajay Janneh and Lamin Bojang, the National Assembly Member for Kombo East.

The meet was attended by chiefs and National Assembly Members of the region as well as other local authorities.

It could be recalled that the former alkalo’s resignation came after some problems broke out within the people of the village, who demanded his immediate handing over of the Alkalorship.

The management of the Daily Observer, the biggest and most widely read newspaper in the country, last Thursday organized an Iftar (a dining session at the end of a day’s fasting period), at its premises in Bakau. In the words of the managing director, Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, the Iftar was organised “to foster unity and cooperation among the staff.”

The session coincided with the send-off party of the departing acting editor-in-chief, Ebrima Manneh, commonly called Ebrima Jaw Manneh, who is leaving to take up a new assignment at the Embassy of the United States of America, in Banjul.

At the simple but memorable ceremony, colleagues of Mr Manneh took turns to recall their time with him, showering him with praises. Dedication, loyalty and hard work, were among a host of words used to describe the young man who, until now, had served as one of the youngest ever editors-in-chief of a credible newspaper in The Gambia.

Andrew DaCosta, the deputy managing director of the Observer Company, described the occasion as a special one. He said that although it was natural that people would feel sad in such situations, Ebrima Manneh’s departure should be taken with pride, as an institution like the American Embassy was tapping from the quality produce of the Daily Observer.

As one of the longest, if not the longest, serving members of staff, DaCosta was well placed to give a synopsis of Mr Manneh’s time at the company; from the status of a freelance journalist, ascending to the position of acting editor-in-chief, amid the usual stiff competition characteristic of a media institution like the Daily Observer.

Like the other speakers, he attributed Mr Manneh’s success to dedication and hard work.

For her part, the managing director of the Observer Company, Neneh Macdouall Gaye, told the gathering that it was with a mixture of happiness and sadness that the management decided to convene the “formal parting” ceremony with somebody who was not only a long serving member of the family, but also a dedicated, dynamic and determined person.

She called for unity among the general staff, citing the significance of the Month of Ramadan as a possible inspiration for change of attitude in “God-fearing” people. She assured them that “although Ebrima Jaw Manneh was a formidable pillar of the company, the quality of the paper would be maintained”.

Taking turns to make remarks about their relationship with their departing colleague, staff members of the company, from top to bottom, were unanimous in their endorsement of the model character of Mr Manneh.

Mr Ebrima Jaw Manneh himself was at a loss for words but managed to  thank the management and the entire general staff for the gesture, describing it as memorable.

Comparing the status of the company under the current management as opposed to the previous one, he hailed the new MD for her tremendous efforts in transforming the company.

Jaw Manneh started work at the Daily Observer in November 2002, fresh from Gambia Senior Secondary School. Out of dedication and hard work, he cruised through the ranks to become a beacon in the night.
With his wealth of experience, many believe that he will shine in the diplomatic world just as he did in the media.

Barely a week after the Muslim community in The Gambia started observing the holy month of Ramadan, the Daily Observer took it upon itself to sample the opinion of the general public on the state of the prices of basic food commodities in the market.

However, the paper has so far gathered that prices of basic food commodities continue to rise crescendo.

Prices fluctuation seem to be the favourite activity of unscrupulous retailers.
At the Serrekunda market, consumers have raised great concerns over the recent price hike of basic foodstuff.

In Latrikunda, a general mood of dissatisfaction with the trends prevailing in the market convinced this reporter that vendors needed to put their acts in order.

In speaking with some of the vendors, they informed he paper that the cost price of some foodstuff like rice is D820 and a bag of onion is D330.  A bag of potatoe, sugar cost D440 and D575 respectively.

Reliable sources close to the Judiciary have intimated that Justice MA Paul, a member of the Gambia Court of Appeal, is “no longer considered as working” with the Gambian Judiciary.

Sources also informed the Daily Observer that the judge’s salary had been stopped since May 2008.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the judge is currently out of the country, with some reports suggesting that he has left for the United States, while others reveal that he has returned to his home country, Nigeria.

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At least two more Zimbas (names withheld), including the key figure, were, on Tuesday, arrested by the police at Bundung Police Station. This has brought the total number of arrested Zimbas in the wake of the reported death of a seven-year old boy at Bundung to four.

Meanwhile, sources told the Daily Observer that four other Zimbas are still at large.In a similar development, the four organisers, who were earlier on charged with common nuisance, under Section 160 of the Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia, have had their charge sheet expanded to include obstruction of a public highway. The fresh charge is in conformity with Section 6(K) of the Road and Highway Act, Laws of The Gambia.

Official reports reaching the Daily Observer indicate that the accused persons are expected to appear at the Bundung Magistrates Court on Monday, August 4, to answer to the charges levelled against them.

However, sources could not ascertain whether the Zimbas have been charged, suggesting that the police investigations were still in progress .