Golden lead is still damaging our environment and they succeeded in defeating all efforts to get them change their actions. Out of the many reasons I dilate on the few which I think has been a general and an abiding malaise that bedevil Gunjur for long.
Lack of unity among various players, poor local management system, lack of financial prudence with poor financial oversight. A dysfunctional village development committee (VDC), a regressive kunda-Kabilo, Karanding- Karaba rivalry and its antecedent insinuations.
The last retardant, Alhamdulillah, is becoming less significant because of the prescience of a vibrant and emerging breed of youngsters. They are not interested in perpetuating traditional rivalries of the old.
To start with, one cannot ignore the overwhelming and overreaching personal architecture, I think singly, the support of one man, Mr Conteh. He was a staunch defender of the Chinese company and his role was never challenged.
Those who want to claim they always defend the truth for Gunjur pretended or overlooked his role. Mr Conteh is the chief architect of the Golden Lead aided by his cousins and friends in Gunjur forums who subtly shielded him from scrutiny and criticism.
They vociferously enjoy talking about his role in helping Gunjurians with electricity poles and his many charitable gestures to the people of Gunjur. His strong support spurs the effrontery and disregard Golden Lead have for the interest of Gunjur. Questioning the role of Mr Conteh seem to be an anathema. What an irony.
Folks if you claim to speak the truth you don’t cheery pick. If you do that, then you’re unjust.
Suspiciously, any time you talk about the role of Mr Conteh, there is unmistakable grave-like silence in the forums . Why…? Well, they cunningly shrug with an uncanny dismissal “ those in glass houses shall not throw stone”. What stone; if you live in modern hard glass house you can afford to throw stone.
Mr Conteh is indeed a very charitable person however his backing for Golden Lead potentially diminish his charity since his actions aid the environmentally destructive actions of Golden Lead. Golden lead didn’t stop at endangering the life and sustenance of this generation but the future generations to come. Golden Lead is depleting our fish resources and thus putting a cheap source of proteins sustenance to peril.
The road to Gunjur beach has become a Sahara like dust reservoir due to excessive and unsustainable use by golden Lead. Houses lining the road are unnaturally dust-coated red not by the choice of the owners but the unsustainable use of the road by Golden Lead logistics network. Not only that, the consequent health hazards arising from gravel dust, presents an even more long term danger.
Why Gunjur’s concerns are ignored. Perhaps political convenience. The people of Gunjur have taken concerted actions because the politicians and those with entrenched financial interest in the enterprise of Golden Lead remain deaf to our pleas with conspiratorial silence.
Now that the political climate has changed, the Chinese have become more entrenched politically and economically and this new strength, present a herculean task for Gunjur to overcome . The best we can settle for is to convince them to change their behaviour to be a more environmental friendly enterprise that can provide amenities for the community like good roads etc. Otherwise a different approach is needed, community pressure on both Golden Lead and its backers. If all failed, some of sort of non-violent environmental militancy will be appropriate course of action.
Golden lead is becoming bold by the day because they are convinced of the backing from their government in China which is investing heavily in the Gambia infrastructural projects and that seem to shackle the government from taking any meaningful action. Contestably, all those projects are supposed to be stationed in part of the country so far from Gunjur yet we face the catastrophe of Golden Lead actions.
The matter is still in the courts proceeding at snail space while the rape of Gunjur environment and erosion of our fish resources is taking place with even more audacity.
The situation seems hopeless because our own folks are aiding and abating their irresponsible actions which has the potential to destroy for good the weak ecosystem around the nearby river. There has been various instance of violation of Golden Lead promise to store their wastes. They were accused of dumping waste in the neighbouring forest recently and not a single statement was proffered by Golden Lead which show there is nothing golden about them.
Although such reports were unsubstantiated however they are not far-fetched in view of their track record of environmental unfriendliness.
Our own kith and kin support and shield Golden Lead on the bases of economic justification which I find insightful and naive to say the least.
How can you quantify the economic benefit when you don’t understand the operations of Golden Lead, the potential future environmental danger and future danger to our fish stock. They posited that Golden lead provide employment and market for fish mongers and those in that line of businesses. That they provide manual labour for our women folk. This in my mind is not an intelligent analyses because it fails the test of economic argument since all variables are unknown.
Gunjur beach was very resourceful in providing local employment before Golden lead came, the only reason it dwindled was lack of proper management by the VDC and lack of ingenuity to evolve.
Tangi on the other hand had an effective VDC that evolves and take management of their beach resource greater efficiency. They were more creative in designing fraud-tight administrative systems that minimise mismanagement of funds generated from their beach.
Gunjur is different. The VDC refused to hold simple AGM for 4 years which is shear dereliction of duty. They are less creative and have lax financial controls that relegate financial responsibility to the treasurer who seem to be spending at will with less checks and balances. There was no internal audit oversight nor an internal -control system to monitor all inflows and outflows.
To ensure all monies received are evidenced by receipt and all expenses have supporting documentation. How comes the treasurer spend millions of Dalasis in spurious expenditures without supporting documentation and approval by VDC chairman. An unmitigated wasteful spending spree, the treasurer’s report read and I cannot understand how all those financial violations passed unnoticed by an able chairman.
To add insult or add salt to our wounds, the same people who perpetrated financial malfeasance want to occupy the same positions in the new VDC on the pretext of being re-elected by their kabilos. Those Kabilos sadly failed Gunjur and stand irrevocably to taint their image and reputation which will be remembered in the annals of Gunjur history.
This is shameful and reactionary in this times of a democratic dispensation which pledged to uphold rights of people to manage their affairs according to the laws. Those very local government laws were tilted to help the same miscreants who raped our coffers to re-emerge with vengeance to continue their callous and greedy actions.
A Town that scorn constructive criticism and scrutiny shall not prosper in managing its resources efficiently and shall continue to wallow in underdevelopment. Financial oversight is very crucial in holding those in responsibility to account to make sure they act responsibly.
To ensure that expenditure is expedited only for bona fide transactions. Millions have been received from the beach yet there was no proper documentation and audit trail. The new VDC should make it their first task to carry out an audit of the finances of the old VDC to satisfied us that there was no financial impropriety in the conduct of the old VDC and most importantly to clear the air. If not, they will start a bad precedence that will make it difficult to hold others to account in the future.
Golden Lead have to be environmentally responsive and act in a sustainable fashion to ensure they leave a non-hazardous environment. They have to use sustainable fishing methods so that the next generation have a continuous source of proteins.
To the VDC, I say wake up and stand up to be counted and leave a enviable legacy for your children they can be proud of. Petty squabbles, unchecked greed for self enrichment; some kind of a rat race is an enterprise that make a man par with animals. Nay even below the animals. Pessimism abound but we have courageous youth emerging to take to the bull by the horn and stand to fight for what is right. They are not hampered by kabilo-kunda expedience but with genuine desire to change things for the betterment of the majority not the few. Wassalam.
Lamin Darboe
Leicester, UK
Mr Lamin Darboe, I’m gonna make this short and swift.
Let’s for once blot out the images of rotting fish and fish laying on the beach in what appears to be fish kill. Let’s also take the time to detach our Gambian thought processes that are largely driven by emotion and drama. Also temper down the urge to appear as champions speaking for what is seemingly the exploited masses of Gunjur and itching to claim, Nteh Leh Yaa Fo.
A good look at the pictures will trigger lots of possibilities in terms of adding value to the fish shown in the pictures. Why wouldn’t a “Gunjur Kang Beng Kaffo” look into collecting fish that do not meet the grade or market categories in Gunjur for the object of processing the same fish and by products into fish meal concentrate for onward sale to Gambian poultry farmers. I am confident that partners like the Marlborough group would quickly see the potential in such a venture and act to support the undertaking.
So, stop the rabble rousing and commit to pointing the youth to sustainable income earning ventures that will benefit Kombo at large.
Yes I agree that the Golden Leaf plant must commit to good effluent management practices that should involve engaging and educating the local community.
Yes I agree that there’s self-serving petty squabbles, outright greed and age old Kaabilo feuds in Gunjur.
However, I also believe that Gunjur residents with the resources and good heads to support meaningful ventures must look at the positive elements of local industries, help the youth identify and run with ideas that they can take to the bank.
Cut out the “Bantabato Chocho” and do something different and game changing!!
Yes we are trying to change things ourselves, not to wait for Chinese to come and rape our resources ans sail it to China. Chineses conpanies have poor environmental safety records in africa and in many instances their actions comitted not only environmental degradation but risk to people’s life. Unless you were blind to that fact due some pre-conceived notions about africa, you would have read that in many papers.
Gambians should know that no country can develop it but themselves and we in gunjur are coming together to effect self help you just drink your beer and count the stars.
Golden lead does not provide value adding employment and have poor social responsibily records with little disregard for the wider interest of our people. Just like the ogoni people, selfish politicians mortgage the life of people to chinese companies in the guise of providing employment. One emploument but ten dead crabs and ten potential diseases. Show me what they did since they came, they did not fulfil any of their commitments but chose to go back door tand dish money to corrupt people. No no all this nonsense has to stop. No more sir.
My brother Salaam to you and family. My Allah bless you abundantly for speaking the truth abundantly. You’ve spoken truth.
You have said the blood truth on all areas that is affecting and dragging our beloved Gunjur back.
Golden Lead/shareholders, aider/supporters will never be realistic to the suffering of the majority.
Hundreds of employment that golden lead promised to our local heads, is no more. They acquired that massive land free of charge. They failed the agreement they had with the community to properly build the beach road. Golden Lead came in as a Fish milling company/factory, but now they are fully fledged fishing company competing with the our local fishermen. What a loose for Gunjur not to talk about the environmental issues.
Thank you
very good excellent enjoyed reading it may god answer your prayers
VERY GOOD ENJOYED READING IT MAY ALLAH ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS
Who is the real Lamin Darboe here?
A certain segment of The Gambia must understand that dissenting views augur well for intelligent discourse. The commitment must take the form of getting the facts right and using the facts to arrive at informed decisions.
This Radio Kang Kang phenomenon, in addition to half truths and shortsightedness doesn’t bode well for moving any development agenda forward.
I’d like to see the self appointed youth leaders of Kombo come out of the falsehood, Fang Koto Bang Bango, selective deafness and instead work to educate themselves sufficiently enough that they can conduct a sustained and intelligent discussions. That’s the mark of a true leader!
Unfortunately, what’s prevalent in most of Gambia is that big EGOS, in both men and women, tend to suck the energy right out of most gatherings.
U don’t wish go into frivolous argument. If this factoru5was near your village you would think differently.
I have served my country for 9 years before coming to europe at a senior position and i have no grudges against anyone but i care for my dear town and will.leave no stone unturned to fisht for what is Right as Allah said
Lang mai:
Surah An-Nisa, Verse 135:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَىٰ أَن تَعْدِلُوا وَإِن تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.
(English – Mohsin Khan)
via iQuran
Mr jallow,
I have taken cue fron your contribution and in my subsequent series titled TEARS FROM GUNJUR, i will endeavour to provide evidence. Remember i was born and bred in gunjur and this undesirable plant is not far from my orchard and our Darboe kunda land called Batokunku. Moreover my own uncle is the manager of Golden Lead but he place himself on the wrong side of history and when the history of Gunjur is recanted, they shall not be jusged favourably. They are collaborator in rape of our fish stock and environment.
Do you know why the prophet prevent harming the evironwmnt and even forbade cutting trees in a war. Its becauae our Lord put them tywre for our suatenance and oue posterity so a person shpuld npt deny future generations of what the Lord created for them.
This chineses company has shameless social and environmental policy. System of policy they would have been punished if they practice it in china or in a developed country.