By: Nyima Sillah
Assan Martins, a Human Right Lawyer and a member of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), on Friday after the IEC announcement of qualified nominated candidates for the upcoming December 4 election said nomination is not a personal contest.
“We have seen a lot of drama, we have to be realistic some people just take IEC as a joke. At this moment, we are looking beyond how do we process our democracy so that we make a firm thing that people will not take for mockery,”
“We do not want a democracy that people will take for a joke and whosoever wakes up will say they are going for nomination that should be excluded from this country. Also, the issue of deposit of D10,000 is too small to be paid for nomination, that is something we should look up to,” Martin added.
He went on that some people miss to present some serious documents that are required, which means, they haven’t fulfilled the requirements, that is why IEC took that step and there is a justifiable reason. Adding that clear laws are put in places and everyone should be content with that. “This is going to be a learning point for some of these people but again, we want our democracy to have power.”
Martins said if anyone wants to take a step to complain or challenge, they can go to the IEC, they will show you the documents that you missed. Adding that, there is no time for anything else because they have few weeks to elections so he doesn’t think they have any opportunity to go for a challenge.
Martins added that IEC plays an independent role and the only thing they have is their job so this is not an attack “so let them maintain their independence.”
“For GRTS, we said to them that you are not here to promote any political party. This is a national issue, so any media that has a platform you can engage in debate. Private media’s good, but when it comes to national media we expect everything to be done, campaign to be done. We don’t want anything like election violence they are not here to promote any political agenda, let them all stick to all the political parties,” Lawyer Martins addressed the national TV.
Private-owned airline security firm starts operation
By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
Afro-Euro Airline Security Services (AEASS), a privately-owned airline security firm has started operations at the Banjul International Airport.
The airline security firm will among other things complement efforts of The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority and Gambia International Airlines in its effective implementation of both aviation security and ground handling.
Lamin Kassama, CEO of the firm said: “AEASS is offering security profiling of passengers, passenger protection, aircraft protection, baggage escort and security, cargo security, catering security and facility protection.”
“The company is established to support the Gambia Tourism Board and Tour Operators like the Gambia Experience and the company will work hand in glove with the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority and Gambia International Airlines in the implementation of security standards and recommended practices in Annex 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” he added.
Also the company will complement ideologies of the government in making Gambia a priority by leading its domestic industries for better services.
He urged the firm’s staff to conform themselves to the rules and regulations of the airport, adding “let them understand that they are the face of the Gambia because they are the first and last contact persons connecting the Gambia to the world.”
Modou Sowe, general manager of the firm said: “the Afro-euro Airline Security Services is by the Gambia, for the Gambia and in the Gambia. He urged the staff to support the government especially the Gambia Tourism Board and Gambia Experience in attracting more tourists into the country.”
He thanked the Gambia Tourism Board, Gambia Experience and other tour operators for their efforts in bring tourist into the Gambia.