(JollofNews) – As the Gambia gov’t has set up an Inquiry Panel to look into the crisis that has hit Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), Modou Camara made it clear that all what the workers want is justice.
“There is no hidden intention. We all voted for change because of the way the country was moving,” Modou Camara, who is mandated by SSHFC’s workers to speak on their behalf, told this reporter via a Whatsapp audio tape widely shared on social media platforms.
The tussle between SSHFC Managing Director and the workers has been lingering for over six months. A petition endorsed by staffers called on the authorities to unseat MD Manjang on the basis of corruption, nepotism, and favouritism. However, the MD Manjang has reportedly denied any wrongdoing.
After President Adama Barrow won the Dec. 3026 Presidential elections, Camara said they all welcomed his victory with open arms. He then reaffirmed their commitment to make sure New Gambia becomes a reality for all.
“Where do we go if everything crumble at Social Security?” he quizzed in an attempt to warn against failing to restore the financial credibility of the public entity, which was subjected to shocking withdrawals of money by the former regime.
Unleashing hell on the current SSHFC boss, Camara explained that their concerns revolve around corruption practices being spearheaded by the Managing Director.
On Tuesday, hours after a mediation mounted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mamour Jobe; Chief of Defense Staff Mansanneh Kinteh, and NIA boss Ousman Sowe succeeded in putting a end to a standoff at SSHFC headquarter in Banjul, Modou Camara told this reporter that he has been elected to represent the staff at the Board of the Corporation.
“I am into this position because of the power vested in me,” he stated. “I don’t see how Manjang can survive perdiem theft, stealing, and all the allegations that we made against him.”
He cited the scholarship package that was granted to a female staffer to further her study abroad while she is not even qualified.
Camara seized the opportunity to call on the authorities to take into consideration the concerns outlined in the 21-page petition filed six months ago.
He expressed hope that the investigation will help uncover the ‘hidde hand’ that suspended him for three months without salary.
“What have I done? Is it a crime to represent people that are paying me every month?” he voiced out.
It is good to have justice but what some of your supporters did was illegal. Last time I checked, the building is not owned by these people. So they have no authority to lock the place. So now for justice to prevail, those who locked a government building should be brought to justice whilst the investigation continues.
The security heads are setting a bad precedence negotiating illigality. Now we can expect other departments to follow suit. Maybe the police, army or immigration officers will follow to lock the offices because of how bad you’all are running those institutions.
Manè , the staff have every right to demonstrate and what better place to stage it than in front of their offices. You guys should stop using this saga as a tribal war. Manjang is a thief and he has to go. He contributed nothing to social security. Anybody who is giving the chance to run it after Jammeh’s era would have done better than him. Even if 70% of Gambians voted against Adama Barrow in a true democracy, do you think he will have a mandate to rule the 30%. Manjang is just a greedy pseudo intellectual who was playing God with the pensioners funds. This is beyond tribal politics.
I forgot to add that those heads of government institutions rallying around Manjang are doing everything possible to manipulate the work of the task force. This social security case is a useful lesson to Gambians that tribalism is all its forms and shapes, is still rife in small Gambia
Rampant corruption is epidemic and SSHFC is not an exception. The government must work harder to fight against corruption. Gambians needs to change their attitude and selflessly work for a better Gambia for all. Few cannot established the notion that, they have to enrich themselves in the trusted positions they occupied whilst the poor keeps suffering daily. Majority of the citizenry cannot provide basic necessities for their families…few keeps stealing from state coffers and do not really care because they are not accounted for. SSHFC is an area where the government must investigate thoroughly and whenever that is done, many heads will roll. The institution is corrupted for many many years. Barrow must try and set an example against corruption in the country. Whilst dictator Jammeh was in power, he was the chief thief and the smaller thieves hide and stole what does not belong to them. In the new Gambia, the thieves are at it worst than in Jammeh`s regime. Corruption is embedded in the system and no one cares. This is NOT what we fought for. President Barrow must do better. We need to change our attitudes and work for the betterment of the Gambia for all NOT just for few greedy people.
Canada is the most selfish person I have seen. He had worked under a looting regime of financial prostitute who siphoned our resources to aid Jammeh’s hapless projects yet he never complained. He complained now because his looting routes are blocked. Look at their ultimatum, it is all about personal perks but otbing about providing value for pensioners