(JollofNews) – The press release issued by Golden Lead fish factory on Monday May 22 has come as the latest insult to the intelligence and dignity of Gambians perpetrated by this company and condoned by our own government. In the press release the company tells us that they obtained their license through a transparent and official channel from GIEPA and the ministries of Fisheries and Trade. Yet until now none of these State agencies have come out to tell Gambians what is happening in Gunjur and what they are doing about it. But the company instead chose to deny and reject all responsibilities for actions emanating from their activity in Gunjur.
In the first place the company said their wastewater is stored in suck-aways and then collected by sewerage trucks. But this is contrary to the reality because the fact is they have pipes buried in the sand going from their factory into the ocean. They also deny that the wastewater is toxic because they claim it is pure water from the fish. This is also not true because the liquid waste is ‘effluent’ and waste in any form is never harmless. Therefore it is clear that this company has decided to misinform and mislead Gambians just to cover up their misconduct in our land.
The company again attempts to wash off their hands from the dumping of fish on the beach claiming they have ultra-modern equipment and invested more than 3 million US dollars. This is another attempt to mislead our people because regardless of the equipment or the amount of money they invested, the fact remains that we have never had this kind of situation in Gunjur until this company came into the scene. We have had fisher folks along the coastline for decades and centuries, yet we have never experienced this kind of carnage on our beaches. Rather we see how this company is now putting the blame on suppliers for the dumping of fish yet refusing to accept that those suppliers would not have been there if the company did not require them. The question they need to ask is what have they done to limit or prevent altogether such dumping if indeed they care about the ocean and our environment as they claimed in their misleading press release.
To add salt to injury, the company now tells us that this criminal misconduct is because there has not been social dialogue between the stakeholders in the Gunjur landing site. Who are the stakeholders? Did the company make any effort to engage any stakeholders especially the community? Have they listened to the community and take into account the concerns of the people? Is it not their responsibility to engage the community to ensure that in their business activity, no damages are caused or they put in plans to prevent or clean the damage? Yet we see how this company is seeking to play with the minds of our people by bringing in open-ended and self-righteous statements.
As if that is not enough, the company went further to say that the “situation is triggered by external factors beyond the control of Golden Lead factory.” But the company did not say who or what are these external factors? This is yet another attempt to shift blame and responsibility from themselves and throw it out to unidentified elements. This is dishonest and criminal that tells us that this company does not mean well for the Gambia.
What does the company mean by this statement in their press release: “We call for the organization of the fisheries sector in the Gambia so that issues and challenges in the sector are addressed in the professional manner”? Are they saying that the Gambia Government is not taking the right steps to address the issues and challenges in this sector? What are those issues and challenges? By all indications they seem to be right there because if we could have a foreign company misconduct itself like this yet State agencies remain silent, then it means such a company can have the audacity to say whatever it wants to say. This is why Golden Lead factory is insulting Gambians. This is because our own Government agencies are doing nothing to deal with this issue.
Where is the EIA report for this company? How is NEA monitoring this company to ensure that its waste is not dumped into our ocean? It is disheartening to hear the NEA acknowledge that this company never had a treatment plant as required by the EIA recommendation. Yet NEA attempts to give excuse that they were not aware of the malpractices of the company in failing to treat its waste in the right manner. What is GIEPA doing to monitor this company to ensure that it is fulfilling its responsibilities as per its Export Processing Zone License? What are the ministries of Fisheries and Trade doing to ensure that the overall concerns, issues and challenges of the fisheries sector are addressed to make sure our local fisher folks enjoy their full rights and benefits from our ocean?
The presence of this company and its misconduct is the responsibility of the Gambia Government and the State must be seen to stand up to fulfill their duty to our country. This press release is full of misinformation, half-truths and outright lies aimed at misleading Gambians. I call on the people of Gunjur and Kartong to remain steadfast and united because the company is now attempting to confuse and mislead so as to bring division among our communities. Remember oppressors and exploiters always seek to divide and conquer the people. If the company wanted to have a dialogue, let it organize community meetings. Let it go to the Governor or the Alkalo or the VDC of Gunjur. But it cannot damage our environment yet tries to caste doubts and criticisms at our people when it is the company that is responsible for the damage.
Close Golden Lead Factory NOW!
God Bless the Gambia.
Did someone burst your pretty balloon ?
If upon reading such an article: Some decided to commit to violence and not
evaluation of the situation then negotiation with an amicable solution;
Who would be responsible ?
That’s a good question Mr. Scales, but overall Mr Jobarteh has just forward some pertinent information about a scandal that has so far refused to go away. Some serious ones at that.
Furthermore, I think I do agree with him that both our authorities and the company are to blame. The former for incompetence and the latter for a criminal act: violating environmental regulations. By the way, The Gambian state has a claim against the firm for starting operations before complying with regular procedures. Against this background, I’d argue that in this case the company should forfeit to the state any profits made to date and an immediate closure of the plant.
I think this new government is proving itself capable of rectifying any wrongs of the past Government. Its work in progress {so to speak}
I agree this high profile case needs Government to take on board all the evidence and make a decision.
Two sides of the “story” have been given by Jollof News. That is fair and balanced. But we are not the decision makers, neither should we be the Judge and Jury. That would set a dangerous precedent.
As the owners are foreign and their employees local>>>The situation has several connotations, for consideration by the Ministry for Fisheries and the Environment.
Some solutions were given to me from someone who is a resident of Gunjur. So there appears to be solutions. That being the case, It’s for the agencies involved to reach a compromise that is amenable and practical to all. I think opinions are fine. But if someone is truly concerned they should contact there National Assembly member setting out their concerns in anticipation of a considered reply from the Ministry with supervision. That is what we in Britain call Democracy.
Thanks for the comments above Mr Scales.
I am sure there is no disagreement between us as to the delicacy of the situation, hence the need to move forward by way of calculated steps. However, when it comes to observance of the rule of law, I must confess I am a “fundamentalist” in that regard. My opinion above should be seen in that light.
You and I are very well aware that the authorities in any mature democracy will undoubtedly react in a fashion that is similar to my recommendations above when confronted with any corporation that has begun operations within their respective jurisdictions without complying with normal procedures. To boot, any profits that such a company has made in the interim is routinely forfeited to the state concern. Laws are there to be enforced – the opposite is ridiculous.
Yes, we welcome genuine foreign investors who abide by the laws of The Gambia – all others must beware of the long arm of the law.
As it stands and until a resolution is found, any pre-judgement of an amicable solution is sheer folly. AS is attempting to persuade the argument any which way. My 15 year reliable contact did mention that a small number were,,,shall we say “very angry”>>>Hence my appeal for an amicable solution.
On balance: Fishermen need to sell their catch/ Processors need to buy fresh. If refusal means fishermen dump their fish, then where and when becomes an issue.
Remember, Mr Scales closure in legal terms does not necessarily mean being closed on a permanent basis: Rather, it means in this regard closure until such time as the firm puts its house in order by fulfilling its legal obligations. That sounds reasonable in light of the arguments above, is it not?
>>and who will pay compensation for loss of business and wages if the allegations are proved beyond the compass of this Foreign investor ? I think you put the cart before the horse my good friend.
Thanks for the question posed above Mr Scales.
I need not remind you that my comments above relate to the contents of Mr. Jobarteh’s article. Please revise it for a moment: There we are informed that the firm had started operations in contravention of regular procedure – and it is therefore assumed the report is correct. It is the immediate legal consequences of this breach that my comments above are centered on. Perhaps Mr Scales should be reminded that legal rules of this nature are largely concerned with “maintaining a level playing field” for all actors in the industry concerned. Hence, it offends my sense of justice each time a single player attempts to cut corners at the expense of all others. Secondly, such acts of blatant disregard towards the law undermines the democratic values and the rule law that we are in the process of cultivating in the new Gambia.
I repeat, it is assumed that the firm in question had not followed normal procedure prior to its commencement of production activities. Legally speaking, the Gambian state can accordingly not be liable to paying damages to a firm that had started production activities within its jurisdiction prior to complying with the requirements of the law in this regard – rather, it is vice versa. In other words, it is the firm concerned that has been running that risk for some time now. Hence, Mr Scales’ concerns in this regard must be ill-founded.
Michael scales ,if it is found that they are guilty, can the damage be undone ?
https://secure.avaaz.org/nl/petition/President_Barrow_and_the_Gambian_government_Close_Golden_Lead_Factory_in_The_Gambia_Now_and_Safe_the_Gambias_future/?pv=3