By Landing Colley
Fifty-three members of National Assembly members have referred the State of Emergency Bill presented before the National Assembly by the Minister of Justice on Thursday to Select Committee on Human Rights for scrutiny.
Presenting the Bill before the 53-member of the National Assembly yesterday for approval, Honorable Minister Abubacarr Tambadou said “the importance of the President decision on extending the State of Emergency for 90 days is to defeat the global coronavirus pandemic.”
“I wish the National Assembly approve the extension of the State of Emergency in response to the increment of the virus. (As) There are ordinary times that call for ordinary measures.”
He noted that the deadly coronavirus has no cure still and the survival of human raise and as a small country is at risk.
According to him, this is a matter of survival first and not about individual preference as the coronavirus pandemic is affecting every life of Gambian citizens, saying “In order to enable the government provide effective leadership in this national preventive effort, the government must be given an inclusion of appreciation in deciding on embarking on the timing.”
The president second proclamation on State of Emergency was issued on 27th March, 2020 under section 34(1b) 1997 Constitution Act which was communicated to the Speaker of NA with a request for the Assembly to extend it to 90 days.