Africa-Press – Gambia. The Director General of the country’s General Intelligence Services (SIS), Hon. Alhaji Ousman Sowe, has said that President Adama Barrow feels no animosity towards the people of Kanilai and the entire Foni region, saying that “Peace and development of the region are among the main priorities of his government. »
The head of the General Intelligence Services (SIS) was speaking on Saturday in Kanilai during a “peacemaking and fact-finding mission” in the Foni Kansala district in the West Coast Region following a campaign of “misinformation, misconceptions, claims and counter-claims” regarding attempts to move a water tank located on the outskirts of Kanilai village.
“I want to assure you that President Barrow has no hostility towards the people of Kanilai or any other community in the country. In fact, President Barrow has always emphasized the need for the region (Foni) to initiate rapid socio-economic development,” the Director General told the gathering.
Accompanied by legislators from the region, including traditional chiefs, the SIS boss urged residents of the region to open up to dialogue: “Our mission is to gauge the reality on the ground. I wish to encourage amicable dialogue with a view to strengthening the peace and stability that we continue to enjoy in the region and the country at large. »
The Director General, also from Foni, declared: “We have resolved to dialogue and the government will dialogue with you. We have no intention of fomenting socio-political unrest. The development of our country must be our main priority. The world is moving forward in great strides and we also need to redouble our efforts to make the country at par with other developed countries in developing tangible infrastructure. The government is open, so let’s talk and dialogue,” he pleaded.
“All information shared about the Kanilai reservoir is now clear to me and all force actions will be suspended for engagements to begin and lead to a solution. The government will open channels of discussion, because dialogue solves problems. This is why I encourage the inhabitants of this region to enter into an amicable dialogue with the government,” he stressed.
President Barrow, he said, opened avenues for dialogue on the issue: “Even if the reservoir is moved from Kanilai, something could be brought to the area which would be beneficial to the people of Foni.
Mr Sowe reminded parliamentarians in the region and all those in positions of authority in Foni that they have a responsibility to preach peace and avoid tensions in the country.
Almameh Gibba, Member of the National Assembly (NAM) from the region, commended Director General Sowe for his “proactive action” in visiting Kanilai to obtain first-hand information on the water reservoir issue. water.
“The water reservoir is a 600,000 liter reservoir installed by former President Yahya Jammeh on the outskirts of Kanilia for agricultural purposes. Two wells were dug next to the reservoir. »
“As legislators from the region, we have been discussing with our ward councilors to find modalities to bring together development funds from our constituencies and wards, which amount to D8 million per year. This annual amount is intended to ensure the functioning of the reservoir in the interest of the entire Foni region, through clean drinking water, which remains a challenge for the residents of Foni. »
“We approached the National Water and Electricity Distribution Company (NAWEC) last year and proposed that the water tank be repaired for use by the residents of Foni. NAWEC promised to study our proposal and get back to us. We wait patiently, but in vain. We are open to dialogue, but the source of our anger lies in the fact that we were never informed or consulted before the attempts to remove the tank. »
Among other speakers, Honorable Amie Colley and Bakary K. Badjie, Chief Ali Nyassi and the Alkalo of Kanilai all expressed bitterness over the government’s actions to remove the water tank without prior notification or engagement with the inhabitants of Foni and Kanilai in particular.
They, however, thanked the Director General for his timely visit which they said will go a long way in maintaining peace and stability in the region and reducing tensions.
POINT OF GAMBIA
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