Dialogue With People’s Tour Introspective /did the President got it Wrong? Part One

The dialogue with the people this year is took a different angle from the ones before. Right from start in the one’s , before this one, President jammeh is on record of saying that he was disappointed by Gambians electorates by not voting for him massively in the last Presidential election, he felt  not treated fairly because he deserves more votes as a sign of appreciation   by Gambians.

 In the previous dialogue he told the people that he and his government have brought much progress and developments that would have been impossible without him and his government. He sited the Barra/ Laminkoto road, the bridge at kerewan and not to talk of the numerous health facilities and schools. For him it means such developments are not appreciated by the people whom those developments are meant for.

Again the President is on record threatening Gambians oppositions not taking any development to them. It was at one of the meetings during the meet the people dialogue at the North bank that Jammeh told a large audience that –There will be no development for people who do not vote for him.

Some critics felt that the President got it all wrong – No President can speak like that. That No President no matter how rich he/she is , uses his personal money to develop a nation .Rather it’s the tax payers money which is use to develop the nation .  In tax collection, all taxes are collected be it that of pro-government supporters or opposition people. So is it fair to deny some the benefits of their money? No no Mr.  President so it’s only fair to give people what is worth of their taxes no matter what political affiliations they have.

Mr. President how would you also tell, who voted for you or not., say in a constituency. For example it’s not possible to have a 100% APRC vote or a100% opposition vote –so if a particular constituency is denied development because it’s an opposition control constituency do the pro- government electorates deserve a punishment? No Mr. President with all fairness you are running the country with people’s taxes and not your personal wealth you are only privilege to be elected as President and that is why you are entrusted with the monies of the tax payers.

Coming to the 2008 dialogue with the people tour its rather encouraging that no such threats are said for now. One can only ask you to keep it up.

Cont in the next issue.