Ebrima Sillah, who introduced Austrians Manuel Stofleth and Angelika Mitterer to hotelier Ebrima Solomon Tamba, has dismissed as untrue a social media post that alleged that Mr. Tamba had outsmarted him to enter into a partnership with the Austrians.
Sillah told JollofNews that if anything, it’s the Austrians, who betrayed him, as they have so far failed in fulfilling their promise of building a restaurant for him.
“I say so far because they can still build a restaurant for me as long as we all live,” Sillah explained.
According to Sillah, Solomon bought a kiosk for him at D8000 and paid a license to enable him to operate a juice pressing business on the beach because he was an amputee.
“It was at this kiosk that Manuel and Angelika met me in 2020. They bought juice and as they drank, they asked me what else I would have loved to do aside from the business I was doing. I told them I wanted to operate a restaurant business and that was when they asked me to identify a place and they will help,” he further explained.
Sillah told JollofNews that he spent close to three decades in The Gambia and the only person that he can still trust is Solomon.
“I spent 28 years in The Gambia and Solomon has always been there for me. So, this is why when the opportunity came, I decided to take Manuel and Angelika to Solomon. However, the place, where I wanted to build a restaurant, could not be acquired because it has already been allocated. It was then that I told Manuel and Angelika to see how they can partner with Solomon,” stated Sillah.
According to him, his relationship with Solomon dates back to 1999 when he bought the then Kunta Kinteh beach bar and restaurant.
“I was a security guard there and when Solomon took over, he retained me. I had job satisfaction and up to today, we are like brothers. When Solomon learned about the foot complications that I developed two years ago, he immediately drove to my house and later gave me D50,000 for medical care,” Sillah recounted as he broke into sobs.
Wiping tears from his eyes, the visibly emotional Sillah informed JollofNews that for more than two years now, Solomon has been paying D300 daily medical bills for him.
“As we speak, he is still doing this,” Sillah acknowledged as he wiped away silent tears.
He confided to this reporter that he feels guilty whenever he thinks about the financial burden that he places on Solomon.
“He financed my medical evacuation to Senegal and he is still catering to my medical bills. Solomon is a true brother and friend whom, many people will be indebted to, for the rest of their lives. I’ve seen how he gave hope to countless numbers of people, helped transform their dreams into reality. His capacity to love and willingness to support make him unique,” Sillah highlighted.
Meanwhile, Manuel Stofleth and Angelika Mitterer have been going in and out of the Gambian courts for the past few months.
The Gambian police slapped the duo with disobedience to a lawful order charges.
Their legal nightmare began in August when their business partners Ebrima Solomon Tamba and Marcel Limbertus Van Andel lodged a criminal complaint with the police against them. Tamba and Andel were suspicious that Manuel had diverted millions of dalasi worth of their investment from the company account. Manuel himself reportedly admitted to the investigators that he lodged the company money into Bitcoin vaults. He did not, however, allow police investigators to access his computer for details.
The proceeds were derived from the sale of holiday apartments that the trio built.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Tower controversy continues to generate social media debate with one commentator writing: “Mr. Ebrima Tamba is a shining example of kindness, generosity, and humility. As the proprietor of Kunta Kinteh Beach Complex, he’s not only created opportunities for himself, but also empowered numerous youths, sponsored their education, and provided skills training. His selfless efforts have transformed countless lives, and his commitment to building human capacity is truly commendable.
“It’s sad to see that some people try to tarnish his image, but as the saying goes, “the more you try to hide a good deed, the more it shines like a light in the dark”. Mr. Tamba’s goodness is a beacon of hope, and his humility is even more admirable. He’s a true leader who leads by example, and his down-to-earth is a breadth of fresh air.
“To Mr. Tamba, I say thank you! Thank you for being a blessing to our community. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Keep shining your light, and never let the haters bring you down. May Allah continue to bless you and your endeavors.
“To those who try to put good people down, let’s take a page from Mr. Tamba’s book and learn to appreciate and cherish those who make a positive impact in our lives. Let’s build each other, not tear each other down.”
