Almost 35 days after declaring public emergency and partially locking-down The Gambia on 17 March 2020, the Gambian President, Adama Barrow, has finally rudely awakened to the plight of the Gambian people – after attracting barrage of criticisms for his seeming indifference to their plight, in confronting the challenges of the existential threats of COVID19 global pandemic and the challenges posed by his restrictions imposed under the public emergency lockdown!
The President, the Captain of the country’s ship or bus, had abandoned the deck – at a time when his presence was desperately needed – forcing the country to soul search for survival from within. This led to desperate efforts of fund raising by individuals, social groups, political parties, communities, etc. Simply because, the Commander in Chief – who ought to be coordinating such efforts nationwide has disappeared from the public scene.
He entertained no questions from the press or the public, despite the myriad pressing questions lingering – about the fate of the nation in the face of this existential threat. He appeared on the TV Twice or three to monologue in pre-recorded videos – no live broadcasts – reading speeches written for him by Amie Bojang, which lacked both in detailed and credibility.
He declared onerous public orders with far reaching consequences on livelihoods of so many citizens – by restricting their movements, business and religious activities – without proper consultation or dialogue with the people or their representatives. In the process he emboldened Gambia police Force into sub-dictators – abusing and tormenting the lives of so many vulnerable citizens.
It effected the perfect bondage feared by many reasonable and philanthropic individuals and institutions, including the otherwise greedy capitalist international institutions, to come to the aid of the Gambian people, both matching and surpassing the meagre 500 million Dalasis allocated by his government to combat the global pandemic and its ensuing financial depression. As a result, billions of Dalasis were received by the President and his government for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable Gambians – which in Gambian context applies to all, except a few exceptions – through this unprecedented trying times!
However, despite the relentless news of government’s receipt of billions on their behalves, average Gambians continue to struggle with their daily sustenance under the harsh and unreasonable lockdown conditions of President Barrow, brutally enforced by his dictatorial police force. Whilst the people continue to wonder about the fate of the billions being donated to assuage their daily struggles. Yet, the President and his government remain reticent over the fate of the funds received and their expenditures, leading to a rife in speculations of corruption and pilfering of the same by those accorded with the trust and confidence to justly deal with the same.
To compound such speculations, the Finance Minister admitted in Parliament to taking backdoor loans without parliamentary approval, whilst the Health Minister eschewed himself from receiving salacious allowances from the same funds, whilst shying away from stopping or condemning his juniors from scavenging the same. As if that isn’t enough salt to the wounds, the President on 25 April 2020 paraded a meagre 350,000 bags of rice with sugar and oil as his or his government’s donation to The Gambian people, consisting of 1.8 million people. Incredible!
As customary, the useless and clueless President refuses to hold any press conference or provide any detailed information as to how this meagre donation will be sufficient for the whole of The Gambia and which statistics confirms that there is 350,000 households in the country. If not, what would be the yardstick for the deserving and undeserving of his donation!
Furthermore, where is the source of the funds for this donation?! Is it from the COVID19 relief funds and if so, how much was spent and how much is left!! All those pressing questions left unanswered!!
Thus, the President’s donation is too too little, at present and too late. It is too little for it simply lacked detailed information, as to how much is spent, how much could have been spent or how much is now left! Furthermore, The Gambia is 1.8 million people and only 1.8 million bags of rice can guarantee each Gambian a bag of rice. The donation is further 35 days late and that is far too long for any hungry stomach!
