By Buba Gagigo
The president of the Republic of the Gambia, Adama Barrow, says he will embark on a policy of ruling the Gambia as if he is in his final term in office.
The president made those remarks during his audience with Muslim elders at Statehouse in Banjul on the occassion of Eid al-Fitr [Koriteh].
“Now, I have one policy in mind, and that is to rule this country as if this is my last term. Everything will be done on the straight and narrow and done well so that when the next person comes, that person can continue on that paved path. This initiative will start very soon. I heard people asking when will he setup the cabinet? Well, it will be announced soon, and it will be a performance based contract government. If you are appointed to the cabinet, you have to deliver to keep your job. Anyone who fails to deliver will be let go. The cabinet will reflect our diversity as we will choose from a broad cross section of Gambians to serve in the cabinet. Also, Maslaha will be a thing of the past because to get things to work in this country, we need to hold each other accountable, and I will endeavor to see to that because I want to leave a legacy”.
President Adama Barrow also uses the occasion to go after human rights activist Madi Jobarteh who recently criticized his Local Government and Lands Minister Musa Drammeh over the allocation of Lands to cabinet ministers and other prominent Gambians.
“There are people who are doing their utmost to criticize the government and create violence in this country. One of those individuals is Madi Jobarteh. He is among the people who want to burn this country down. He wants to bring chaos and violence to the country, and everyone should pay attention to his activities. I have never stood on a platform and mentioned his name or activities before. He claimed to be part of civil society but yet wants to burn this country down. Every time he goes onto media platforms, his uterrences are tailored towards sowing discord and bringing chaos to the country. Journalists have been giving him a platform to spread his views, and it is my contention that whoever helps him in this regard by giving him a platform, you are not helping the country.”
President Barrow went on to say that his government should take an interest in affairs of the human rights activist -Madi Jobarteh.
“My government should take a serious interest in him and look into his affairs. The country cannot work like that. We cannot see someone who wants to burn the place down and leave him at it. We have forgiven a lot of people that violated the law in the past. Yes, the president must abide by the law, but other citizens must abide by the law too. Human Rights is not government’s alone to keep even in the face of individuals are offending other people”
President Adama Barrow is expected to announce his cabinet in the coming days and weeks. It will be the first NPP government following his victory in the last presidential election.