New SOS Sworn-In... as Jammeh warns businessmen

Lamin Bojang, the new Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure was yesterday sworn into office, by pledging that he will perform his duties without fear or favour, affection or illwill in accordance with the law.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, President Yahya Jammeh first congratulated and thanked SoS Bojang for accepting the job. He said the Department of Works, Construction and Infrastructure is   his government’s priority, together with Departments of Education, Health and Agriculture, noting that he is the super head of these Departments.

President Jammeh acknowledged that a lot of things has been done in infrastructural development and a lot more needs to be done.
“With Infraustrcuture it means to bring it in line with Vision 2020 blue print. It is an area where I have interest together with Health, Education and Agriculture and if every thing goes well within these Departments, then development would fall in naturally.
In terms of building a modern state, these Departments are indispensable, and whoever leads or heads these Departments you most live up to expectations. For thirteen years now I have looked at some of  the changes that have occurred,” he said.

President Jammeh, said the abolishment of the Department of Public Works was a disaster to the country and it was from that time that most government properties started to deteriorate.
  “You have to revive that public works department. Not only in the area of maintaining government properties. This is not an easy Department. Let us work together so that we can deliver. We have to come up with a master plan and more timing as the population is increasing. We also need to have a good drainage system and people needs not to use the gutters as dumping place. A refuse place should be provided and this is where the Department of State for Local Government and the Municipalities come in”, President Jammeh said.

The Gambian leader, said the Department of State for Works, is big as it includes aviation, road, river among others. He said in the Cabinet, it does not mean that anything that’s brought there should be endorsed. We argued over issues and come into terms. So, we are a family,” he added.

On the bussiness sector, President Jammeh, said “this is an area that needs to be carefully looked at. When the Dalasi was depreciating, there was unecessary hike of prices, and now the Dalasi is appreciating against the foreign currencies, prices of basic commodities are the same. This needs to be cross-checked. If we want we can issue price control, as this is a free market. If businssmen did not regularise themselves we will intervene.
Businessmen are also hiding the Dollar, saying that there is scarcity of Dollar which is not true. They are keeping the Dollar thinking that the Dalasi will depreciate and I am telling them that let them keep it in millions and see what I will do by Monday. The Dollar can come up to D4. We will stabilise the foreign currencies, because we don’t want the Dalasi to be too strong as it can cause difficulties in the export trade to businessmen. It will not affect the government, but what we want is to stabilise the Dollar”.

Speaking earlier, the Vice President, Dr Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy described the appointment of SoS Bojang as a heavy task and a very important sector in the country. She assured SoS Bojang of their support at all times.
VP Njie Saidy told the gathering that for Vision 2020, to be achieved, there is need for good roads for effective transportation of goods and  services.

She then called on the Department to try and maintain the roads at all times. She assured SoS Bojang that the Cabinet is one family  and will give him the necessary support.
For his part, the newly sworn SoS, said “I would want to take this opportunity to express the great honour that I feel today and to express my profound gratitude to President Jammeh for appointing me to this body of selected personalities, charged with the responsibilities of stirring the affairs of the country.”

SOS Bojang, who took the Oath of Office,  Secrecy and Allegiance as SoS for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, said he will  execute his duties as expected of him, without fear or favour, affection or illwill in accordance with the law.

He then pledged that he will perform his utmost best to make sure that the trust bestowed on him by the President will not be betrayed and be able to deliver to the best of his abilities.

He finally implored the support of his colleagues.