Dr. Ismaila Ceesay who has recently claimed that some media outlets raise questions about whether they are truly independent or simply extensions of political parties. Mr. Sulayman Ben Suwareh has refuted these claims in an interview with AG radio.
He advocated for regulation, saying that although they do not intend to censor anyone, it is crucial that online media conduct their reporting in a professional manner. Mr. Ceesay stated.
Mr. Suwareh stated that censorship is the first step in a dictatorship, which restricts free speech. Gambians at home and abroad fought for Dr. Ceesay’s release after he was arrested a few years ago for exercising his right to free speech. Today, Dr. Ceesay is still employed by the same administration and president that he once disparaged as being clueless and corrupt.
Regarding the Banjul Naval Base fire outbreak, Mr. Suwareh said that Jah Oil was attempting to distance itself from taking accountability for the fire outbreak at the Navy Base in Banjul, and Mr. Hydara has a history of dishonesty dating back to his time working at the infamous NIA.
Speaking about the tank explosion that killed two people at the Gambia Navy Base in Banjul, Momodou Hydara, General Manager of Jah Oil Company, stated that the truck involved was not Jah Oil’s truck and that it was only hired to deliver fuel to the Navy depot.
Mr. Suwareh lamented the absence of safety protocols in all government establishments. Including the Banjul Navy Base and the Gambia Armed Forces. It took a while for the Fire Brigade to arrive at the scene of the fire, even after they were called. Since there was no ambulance on the scene, the injured were driven to the hospital in private vehicles. “All these need to be investigate” he said.
Responding to the Finance Minister’s assertions regarding the salary increments, Mr. Suwareh stated that even the Finance Minister Seedy Kieta did not believe his own statements.
“You are not below D6,000 as long as you are employed by the government. Additionally, lower grades rose along with the salary. when more than 75 percent is taken into consideration. In order to address the issue of equity, we cascaded based on grade,” Minister Seedy Kieta stated.
In spite of persistent economic difficulties, Keita emphasised the government’s dedication to the welfare of its people as well as the nation’s progress. He pointed out that civil servants pay has increased significantly in recent years under President Adama Barrow’s administration.
Mr. Suwareh stated that although Mr. Kieta is proud of the government’s pay increases, he failed to mention that the cost of rice, sugar, and other food stuffs have increased. Because Gambians are still suffering, these pay increases are meaningless.
According to Mr. Suwareh, Demba Ceesay the Director General of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), obtained his job because he is an NPP loyalist and President Barrow’s sycophant. After living in the United States, he eventually moved to the Gambia.
Less than 200 of the 1208 drug cases that we had last year involved trafficking. While more than 1024 involved possession. Furthermore, who are the parties involved in possession? Eighty percent are young people. Of the 1228 people arrested between January 1st and December 31st 2024, 1024 are between the ages of 18 and 35. In fact, the vast majority are young Gambian people. The Director General of the Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), Demba Ceesay stated.
According to Mr. Suwareh, Mr. Demba Ceesay was economical with the facts and truth. Only young Gambians are housed in Mile2 Prisons. While those who bring tonnes of cocaine into this country are allowed to go free. “It is only in Gambia where a Magistrate is charged for theft and illegal possession of cocaine” added Mr. Suwareh.
