Letter To My Government

Dear Government of the Gambia,

I write this letter as custodian of power which I cede to you via proxy to legislate, execute and dispense justice to maintain law and order, protect life and property and look after my general well being.

On the first of December  2016, I went to the polls to excercise my civic duty as an electorate. Gambians amply demonstrated their will and resolve for a new dispensation and the then Criminal in Chief and Butcher of Kanilai became the first Gambian who publicly announced that Gambians have Decided. His pronouncement effectively ushered in the third Republic. Gambians banked their hopes on this administration to right the wrongs of the past. By virtue of this Government being headed by a public sector neophyte albeit his access to seasoned bureacrats and technocrats, I chose to self restrain by waiting for the government to settle down before I voice out my expectations. As a bonafide citizen of the going concern called the Gambia, I will lay down my strategic vision  and tactical approach to get going this sleeping giant up and running.

First of, the issue of politics need to be disassociated from administration.. As it will deter the aspirations of the polity in attaining the desired outcome of the decision we took to ouster the butcher. To whom much is given, much is expected and I am not expecting immediate results  and or dividends from the administration at this point in time but I do expect a comprehensive strategic blueprint that will encompass all spheres of our development agenda including judicial, economic and political reforms. I want to know and I do believe I have the right to know the direction my administration wants to govern me.

On the issue of economic reforms, I will love to see my government spearhead a program of accelerate growth anchored around the concept of Economic Nationalism. This concept will empower local indigenes in filling the economic space as and where their competent lies. Our major international investors must be implored to have a local content in their investment vehicles. Gambians must be active participants in our quest to develop this country. Gone are the days when a good for nothing brief case investor can come to this country with the help of our sovereign debt  instruments set up shop and exploit us by ripping off the economy. Well the #NewGAMBIA  will not tolerate that and we will be the hounding dogs to call off such practices. Speaking of such practices, We want a speedy resolution and divorce of the MGI gateway arrangement. Government #MUST  not be afraid to walk away from this contract as MGI has violated the sanctity of the contract by facilitating proceeds of a public resource (GATEWAY TRAFFIC) to an individual in the person of the Criminal In Chief, the #ButcherOfKanilai. This in itself calls for a termination and a formal request for refunds from both the Butcher and MGI as they are jointly and severally liable for such a blatant misuse of power and influence. On the same issue of economic plundering, the government once again must look into the business practices of #EAGL which in recent has morphed into an entity called #PETROGAS for reasons best known to them but the veil of corporate secrecy will not help them. EAGL has a lot to answer as it relates to the issue of fuel importation, pricing, taxation and financial structuring of their Special Project Vehicles. If government took part in guaranteeing their facilities I want to know what Government got in return and did it commensurate with the risk exposure government took. We have the knowledge and requisite subject matter expertise to get to the bottom of this fiasco by reverse engineering the very transactions executed by the agents and principals of EAGL and their sister companies and strategic partners. The very bravado they had to loot us will be the very bravado we  will employ to not only bring them to book but teach them a lesson that Gambia will not be colonised twice and no one after the British will loot us unabated. I will see to it that this one sticks including possible collision with oil marketing companies on the management of duty free concession and the proper valuation of our Mandinari Tank Farm and who owes the government what as it relates to the sale of equity to public enterprises and development levy that was built in the price structures of the past. NAWEC"s relationship with #GMS and all major payout to any entity direct or indirectly related or with a vested interest to GMS will be scrutinised. I further want to bring to my government the issue of Carnegie Minerals. Carnegie Minerals are banking on repayment of their investments after going through international arbitration for a wrongful termination of their contract and harassment of their representatives/principal in the Gambia Mr Charlie North. I want to know what happened to the already processed stock pile of Zircon left behind by this company. Who sold it to whom and for how much. I want to know what happened to the equipment left behind by Carnegie. What was the arrangement going forward and where did we lodge the proceeds of the mining activities. Finally why was the extension and rehabilitation project of our pipe borne water and erection of water reservoirs given to an entity without the requisite skill set for such an assignment. Is the project satisfactorily completed and are the water tanks operational. The emphasis for this government must be #EconomicRestitution so that future cow boys will not take us for fools. Yes they dealt with a fool in the person of the Butcher of Kanilai but we saw these cow boys for what they were. Government must not be jittery about pouncing on them as they did a sloppy job covering their tracks. We must not worry about being sued because they will not have legs to stand on as they were willing participants in the grand scheme to loot Gambia orchestrated by Jammeh. Therefore, the lines are very blurred between Jammeh and the investment vehicles employed to scheme off the public interest.

In the judicial front we want the expeditious dispensation of justice for the victim families and survivors of the monstrous regime of Jammeh. No stone must be left unturned. Anyone found wanton must be prosecuted vigorously. We want zero tolerance from our judicial services. As a victim of Jammeh's land dispossession scheme, I want a fair compensation for the destruction of my property as he used state resources to illegally demolished my property for his personal gain. State workers and machinery were employed to effect his wish. Therefore I have recourse  and locus standi to the state and I want to ask the government to give Cesar what is due to Cesar. I have never in my body of work advocated verbally or written for myself but the time has come to do so for myself and all other victims of Jammeh's wrath.

We want to see a legislative calendar filled with bills such as term limit reforms, freedom of information act. Mandatory public debt ceilings etc. Then and only then will I saw that my government is representing my aspirations as a Gambian. Public leadership is all about managing the expectations of the governed. I do not expect a  miracle considering what has been inherited but I want to see a clear cut direction that will lead us somewhere productive and reform oriented with sustainable goals and attainable milestones. We will continue to have faith in this administration so long as they lead us to the right path.  Finally, communication is a two way Street and silence is a part of consent. Therefore, we want more press briefings from the Presidency but please from competent staffers who can articulate government policy and position. God bless Gambia and our quest to build a new nation.