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Showing posts from July, 2023

Africa loses US$10.7B yearly due to tobacco - Gassama

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Author: Ousman G Darboe Momodou Gassama, Health Promotion Officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO) The Gambia office revealed that Africa loses US$10.7 billion yearly as a result of tobacco use. Gassama was speaking today at the orientation for journalists on the Tobacco Act 2016. The event which took place at the NAQAA conference hall, brought together journalists from different media organisations to discuss ways of fighting the use of tobacco. Mr. Gassama reiterated that tobacco causes a huge economic loss to the continent while stressing that there are no gains from tobacco use. Gassama stated: "Gambia is releasing 80 billion tons of carbon dioxide due to the use of tobacco, which is detrimental to the environment and is a contributing factor to global warming." He urged journalists to strengthen their efforts in sensitising the masses about the dangers of tobacco and tobacco-related diseases, saying there is no safe level of smoking. Muhammed S Bah, President of th

NAWEC urged to renew commitment to safe drinking water

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Amid the rise of concerns about the quality of water coming from NAWEC water sources, citizens urged the company to renew its commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water to its customers. For the past week, many people raised a series of concerns about the change of water colour in some taps. This is seen as a risk factor, thus urging the company to take visiting tour of its facilities and find out the circumstances leading to such concerns. Ousman G Darboe, a resident of Latrikunda German narrated: “Last week we go the whole day without water and around 5PM, the water came but the colour was changed and we could see rusted metals in the water.” He further noted that it was so scary and that he shared the videos for people to know what was happening. Mr. Darboe warned this can even cause kidney disease. “The water we consume daily is a concern. Although water is colourless, this was totally different from normal tap water. I think it’s scary,” he stated. He urged NA

No emergency rescue boats for ferry service – GM Jawara

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Lamin Jawara, the General Manager of Ferries, revealed that there is no rescue boat in their possession in case of emergency, saying it's part of their plans. Mr. Jawara spoke to QTV Gambia on Thursday, revealing that due to constraints in resources, they will not be able to sustain rescue boats. He noted its part of their plans and that they have discussed with National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to buy them one. He explained that the revenue from the ferries cannot sustain their operations, adding the government is not paying their subsidies, which contributed to the problems. Dwelling on the recent incident of the Kanilai ferry being unable to land, he said: “Ferry service is complex. We sometimes do have difficulties. On Sunday, Kanilai left Banjul to land in Barra but the captain has miss the approach. He goes back to land again but unfortunately one of the back engines failed. The ferry came with four engines but they have started developing problems. There was a

Ferry service boss hints lack of gov’t subsidy contributes to ferry problems

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Speaking to QTV Gambia Good Morning Show on Thursday, Lamin Jawara, the General Manager of Ferries, revealed that President Adama Barrow’s government is not paying subsidies to the ferry service, thus contributing to the problem faced by their operation team. He said: “Fares we charge for the ferry cannot take care of our needs. All that we collect cannot finance the ferry from Banjul to Barra. If we subtract our staff salaries, we will be left with about 15% of the revenue. The amount cannot buy fuel, spare parts, materials, lubricants, payment of ferry insurance, and staff welfare. The fares are not enough and only the government subsidy can help us.” “Because the subsidy is not coming, we cannot do critical maintenance on time. We spend 47 million on provincial ferry service alone and they fetch less than 12 million. To solve the problem, we need the government to leave us to further increase the fares to the point we will have monies to operate the ferries, buy the spare part

Commission reveals unmerge in KAC total procurements

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The ongoing commission tasked to probe into the financial transactions of the local  councils, yesterday revealed unmerges in the Mansakonko Area Council (KAC) total  procurement transactions. Dwelling on the compliance review for the period of 2020-2021, Counsel Patrick Gomez  raised concerns to the witness Ebrima Sanyang, the director of Procurement Policy and  Operations at the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA). Counsel stated that the table indicating 505 transactions representing the population of  transactions by the procuring council was not filled up on the provided report. He added  that when he adds the numbers for the total number and value of the procurement method  for the year 2020 and the subsequent table for the year 2021, he couldn’t have 505  transactions. “I was thinking the numbers will tally with those that are been filled. That’s why I ask  why this table was not filled because open international tender, open national tender,  request for proposal, restri

APRC Faction to observe 22nd July in ‘grand style’ tomorrow

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  Article By:   Ali Jaw A faction of the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC), No To Alliance, which still recognises former president Yahya Jammeh as its supreme leader, has announced it would be celebrating 22nd July tomorrow at Kanilai in grand style. “On Friday 22nd July 1994, a group of Gambian soldiers led by 29-year-old Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh seized power in a bloodless coup d’état, ousting Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who had been president of the Republic of The Gambia since its independence in 1970,” it states in a press release signed by Mr Yaya Tamba, the faction’s interim chair and party leader. The release further states: “Since then, it has been the tradition of the APRC to annually celebrate this day to reflect on the life and achievements of this great leader, H.E. Sheikh Prof. Dr Alhagie Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, the former president of the Republic of The Gambia and APRC party leader. “H.E. Sheikh Prof. Dr Alhagie Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh has given his bless

AfYBC signs host agreement with MS TCDC

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The Afrikan Youth Business Council (AfYBC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arusha-based MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS TCDC), for the fiscal sponsorship of AfYBC by MS  TCDC. AfYBC is the continental umbrella body of youth-led private sector entities, institutions, and associations  advocating for a youth-friendly business policy environment under the African Continental Free Trade Area  (AfCFTA), while MS TCDC, an initiative of the governments of Denmark and Tanzania, is focused on democratic  governance, human rights, transformational leadership and youth participation in politics and business. The fiscal sponsorship agreement will provide a framework of cooperation in which TCDC serves as the fiscal  sponsor/host for AfYBC and, accordingly, facilitate collaboration between the two parties in areas of common  interest. Thus, the two entities have agreed to mutually collaborate on issues regarding young African  entrepreneurs as well as youth-led