Dismissed UTG Lecturers Address Cabinet Ministers’ Allegations, Criticizing Exclusion from Resolution Talks

Prof. Matarr Njie and Dr. Alieu Gibba

By Buba Gagigo 

In a statement issued on 8th December 2024, two dismissed University of The Gambia lecturers have responded to allegations made by Ismaila Ceesay, Minister for Information, and Pierre Gomez, Minister for Higher Education, regarding their lack of participation in resolution talks at the Vice President’s office. 

The statement was issued through their legal representative, Malick H.B. Jallow.

The lecturers expressed concerns over the ministers’ statements, which they felt unfairly placed blame on them for not cooperating in efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute with the University of The Gambia (UTG).

“At the outset, we find the statements by the said cabinet ministers to be anomalous and quite an overstatement in the following regard:

a. The initiative to settle the dispute at the vice president’s office, whilst commendable, excluded our clients from the equation. Our clients were never invited to the said meetings nor was their participation sought. Meanwhile, the other party, the University of The Gambia participated and was always represented. It is important to note that the participation of the University of The Gambia Staff Association in the said deliberations is not a substitute for our clients’ full and informed participation in the process.

b. It appears the main outcome of the deliberations at the vice president’s office was the setting up of an independent review committee tasked with a review of the matter and report within 72 hours. It would probably raise eyebrows that the full and thorough investigation of such a complex matter would be pegged at 72 hours. In any event, our clients had already indicated in express, clear, and unequivocal terms that whilst open to negotiation, this process can only flourish after their reinstatement and adequate compensation. Thereafter, they remain fully committed to cooperating with an impartial and independent disciplinary body to determine the allegations against them by the UTG.

c. In the aftermath of the setting up of the review committee chaired by the labor department, our clients were invited on 24hrs notice to attend a meeting. Our clients sought legal advice and we cautioned them against participating in a process whose perceived TOR cuts across issues that were already pending for determination before a judicial tribunal. We, however, encouraged them that should the UTG be willing to engage in an Alternative dispute resolution initiative to settle the matter, our clients stand and remain ready to engage in such a discourse. The decision therefore to not participate in the work of the review committee was based on genuine and principled reasons which was duly communicated to the committee in successive and direct correspondence between them and our clients.