By: Mariama Njie
The National Assembly Member for Badibou Central has responded to President Adama Barrow’s Political Adviser Siaka Jatta who had accused UDP lawmakers for rejecting the government demand to extend State of Public Emergency by 45 days to help contain spread of coronavirus.
Honorable Sulayman Saho said: “Saika Jatta’s allegation against the UDP was baseless and the said NAMS are putting the country at any risk because whatever we are doing at the parliament is in the best interest of Gambians.”
“I totally disagreed with him and I urge him to properly follow the debate and the content of the report submitted by the Special Committee on State of Public Emergency at the parliament,” he said.
He said covid-19 is existing and it can claim lives in which nobody can deny that fact from the parliament.
He called on Mr. Jatta to advise the president and his executive more to be serious with their implementation rather than making false allegation.
According to him, on 3rd April Adama Barrow declared a State of Public Emergency and it was extended by the National Assembly on the 23rd of same month for a period of 45 days and UDP NAMS contributed to that and they supported the motion.
He added that majority of Gambians are suffering with State of Public Emergency and the executive was delaying in their re-enforcement on the emergency Regulations Act.
He called on the executive to be proactive and focus on the strategy to combat Covid-19 than politicking in the villages by parading sugar and rice.
“We must act as leaders by action not by words. We can’t support extension of the emergency when people are spiritually disconnected,” he added.
He said Mr. Jatta owe an apology to UDP lawmakers “because his role is not to castigate people but to guide the president in making political decisions.”
He said the extenision is not the only solution but to facilitate containment, as you can’t satisfy international organisation by declaring State of Emergency when you are not least serious in containing it locally.