Hon. Ousman Sillah, National Assembly Member (NAM) for Banjul North, told a gathering of Gambian and Belgian nationals in the city of Antwerp that the Gambia is not a poor country but that her human and natural resources potentials are yet to be harnessed to address the development needs of the population.
The Banjul North parliamentarian made this remarks during his touring seven European countries while addressing Gambians and friends of the Gambia comprising Belgian NGOs and investors who were invited to meet with him on 11 November, 2018.
After explaining the purpose of the visit and his role as a National Assembly Member, the Banjul North lawmaker stressed that what is required in the relationship between Africa and Europe, in general, and Gambia and Belgium, in particular, is not dependence but solidarity and partnership.
He said half of the length of the river Gambia is fresh water with unquantifiable volumes of underground water which could be harnessed to develop agriculture as well as the abundant sea resources for job creation, among others.
He said the country has a huge potential for investments in these and others areas and invited investors to come for win-win ventures.
The Banjul North NAM described the different forms of relations that can be forged between the two countries as there is government to government, government to people and people to people, adding that the partnerships and support should take this into account.
According to Mr. Sillah, what is required is strategic planning, focus and commitment on the part of the political leadership to mobilise and commit resources and partners for investments in these sectors in a win-win type of arrangements.
The Banjul North lawmaker noted that he is not oblivious to the fact that some Europeans are becoming intolerant as characterised by the growing support for the far right political parties but that the Europe that used to care about others is still in existence and even forms the majority.
He said the humanism and sense of solidarity that allows Europe to accommodate migrants whose labour is needed to develop their countries should be sustained and that he is urging those Belgian friends of the Gambia present at the meeting to continue propagating it.
At some point, the Banjul North NAM was overwhelmed by emotion when he was describing the conditions in which he found Gambian migrants living and suffering in the Italy.
As for the Gambians in the Diaspora, Mr. Sillah implored them to have keen interest in the politics back home. He applauded the diaspora for the support they continue giving their families back home.
He described this support as very critical as is it sustaining many families that otherwise would have been in the poverty trap that grips many people in the country.
He, however, added that they should also care about Gambia and to regard themselves as Gambians first and foremost and as people belonging different ethno linguistic groups or tribe, religion, gender and other parochial considerations.
Mr. Sillah noted that everywhere he goes to during his tour of Europe the Gambians are demanding for their right to vote. He said he has been calling for the enfranchisement of Gambians in the diaspora at the floor of the National Assembly as this is a legitimate demand for them to make.
According to the Banjul North NAM, nearly 22% of GDP is the remittances coming from Gambians in the diaspora, adding that as such it is an important constituency that should be empowered to participate in deciding who should be entrusted with power to manage the affairs of the country.
He described the importance of the vote in determining which direction a country takes whether on the path of greater democracy and development or retrogression.
Mr. Sillah explained how the opposition political parties came together in a coalition in 2016 to support an independent candidate who, if elected, would institute comprehensive or wide ranging constitutional, legal, institutional and administrative reforms during the transition in order to build a solid foundation that will usher in a more democratic and inclusive governance dispensation.
He noted the goodwill around the world which greeted the Gambia immediately after the change of government through election for the first time but which is now dissipating if not vanished altogether.
He assured the gathering that despite this hiccup all is not lost for the Gambia, as a committed leadership and a politically conscious population can always turn it around for the betterment of the people.
He advised the Gambians in the diaspora to be concerned about each other to promote their collective welfare irrespective of which party one supports or ethno-linguistic (tribe) grouping or religion. He stressed the need for ‘One Gambia, One People, One Nation.
Author: Bakary Ceesay