Photo: AP The president of the Republic has expressed his gratitude to the people of the Upper River Region (URR) for the overwhelming welcome accorded to him and his entourage each time he visits the region.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh made these remarks Thursday while addressing a grand rally at the Basse Mini-Stadium, as part of day four activities of his 2013 'Dialogue With the People Tour'.
It would be recalled that the Gambian leader and entourage during his visit to Basse, were treated to a befitting welcome by the people of URR especially in Basse and its environs, as multitudes converged on Allunhari and escorted the presidential convoy all the way to Mansajang Kunda, where he was installed.
He first thanked the youths, students and their teachers, saying since he started to tour the URR the amount of welcome accorded to him and delegation has been second to none.
He was however quick to note that such rousing welcomes are of two types; one by mouth and the other from the heart, saying since 1994 the overwhelming welcome he continues to receive in URR has been exceptional. He observed that no region has accord him such a befitting welcome.
President Jammeh acknowledged that such a move is not based on politics but the genuine love the people of URR have for him. He also informed the gathering that he has a US$1M package for youth development. He was however, quick to stress that the money will not be given to individuals, some of who will only use it to pay for a boat to Spain, but only to genuine youth groups, so as to maximise their potentials. He also reiterated his call for Gambians to 'eat what they grow and grow what they eat'.
The Gambian leader observed that many people especially those in the business sector (foreigners) come to the country with only D5, start a small business and within two years they open shops and later on start importing. He further observed that such people make the best use of the country's resources like firewood and sell other fruits like 'Kabaa' to Gambians at a high price. The president urged youths to establish genuine youth groups so that they can benefit from the US$1M package he has set aside for youth development. He reiterated that the fund will not be given to youth groups free of charge but will be used as a revolving fund. He added that if the youths are not serious about the issue, he will then give it out to the women.
He also revealed that there is another project geared towards food self-sufficiency, amounting to the sum of US$28, which will be allocated to Gambian women.
Ban on importation of chicken
The president also drew the people's attention to the chicken imported into the country especially from Western countries. He observed that most of the chicken sold in The Gambia are chicken left legs, adding that it is the left leg of a chicken that is injected to fast track its growth. He said the consumption of these and other foodstuff from the West has contributed among other things to a number of serious health compilations especially among people, even younger ones.
He further told the gathering that the chicken left legs are not found in any European market. He said that ailments that were not common in those days are the ones common nowadays. He lamented that despite the growing number of health facilities, death is even more common nowadays due to the food people consume. "What causes that? The food we eat and we want to stop it, but how can we stop it? Let people eat what they know," President Jammeh added.
He then pointed out that it is not expensive to rear chickens locally.
The Gambian leader urged youths to venture into poultry production, animal husbandry and fishing and other enterprising businesses while raising concerns on the continuous foreign domination of the country's small businesses that youths can venture into.
He said he wants to ensure that three years from now [by 2016] no one will import rice into the country. He also unveiled his government's plans to ban the importation of chicken before September.
This, he said, will force people to grow what they eat and eat what they grow. "By 2016, I will ban importation of foodstuff especially rice. So we better be food self-sufficient by now," he remarked.
Speaking earlier, the ministers of Regional Government and Lands who is also the APRC liaison officer in URR, Health and Social Welfare who is also the APRC liaison officer in URR, and Basic and Secondary Education, Momodou Aki Bayo, Bala Garba Jahumpa and Fatou Lamin Faye respectively, all hailed the people especially the youths of URR for the tumultuous welcomed accorded to the Gambian leader and delegation.
Like other ministers, Minister Jahumpa reminded the gathering of the remarkable achievements of President Jammeh's government compared to 30 years of the former regime. He cited the national broadcaster GRTS, the airport, proliferation of health facilities, Sankulay Kunda Bridge and Babili Mansa in Kerewan, among others.
The Basic and Secondary Education minister told the people that government has decided to come up with a new package for students in lower basic schools by making lower basic education free of charge starting September this year. She further disclosed that in 2014 similar initiatives will be introduce in senior secondary school and later in high schools.
The mayor of Kanifing, who is also the APRC national mobiliser, Yankuba Colley, hailed the people of URR for the heroic welcome accorded the Gambian leader and entourage. He said their welcome speaks volumes of the love they have for the Gambian leader. He also thanked the politicians and those who work tirelessly to ensure the ruling party's performance in the previous election.
Others speakers included Alhaji Ahmed Minteh Krubally, the chief of Fulladou East; Nasirou Barry, the alkalo of Basse; Jun Bah, the chief of Sandu; Morro Kanagi Jawla, the National Assembly member for Sandu; Omar Sompo Ceesay, the chairman of Basse Area Council; Aja Nenneh Darboe, the lady councilor in Basse; Aja Sona Jallow, mobiliser; and Sonna Marenah, Maudo Susso, APRC regional youth mobiliser and Alhaji Momodu Ngarry. They all thanked the Gambian leader and his entourage while expressing their absolute loyalty and support for him and the APRC.
The locals also highlighted some of their constraints, which included the need for fertilizer for farmers, road linking Lamin Koto to Passamass and educational centre in some areas among a host of others. President Jammeh also gave a staggering amount of amount of D600,000 to schools in URR. The event was also characterised by musical concerts by Gambia's stars such as Jaliba Kuyateh and the Kumareh Band, Sedhiou Band, among a host of others.
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