To start with, I once again want to congratulate you on the wonderful speech you delivered at the United Nations General Assembly. You represented us well and I daresay Gambians were proud of your speech. This is both in its content and in the eloquent, dignified and respectful manner you delivered it. We say thank you.
However, I want to bring to your notice the weariness with which many Gambians view the numerous travels that your officials undertake frequently. Since you took office in January, you and many of your officials have travelled so many times that one may even lose count of the number of official trips. We know that these trips are extremely expensive on the taxpayers.
It is understood that your attendance of the United Nations’ General Assembly this year was absolutely necessary. The International Community did not abandon us in our time of need; rather, they stood by and with us until we put in place a democratic government. So, it was necessary for you to go there and inform the world of our progress so far; tell them about our challenges and where we need their assistance.
Nonetheless, the number of delegates is what is worrying many. It is reported that you went with fifty-three delegates. Mr President, I personally think that this number is too large. Knowing that the cost of tickets alone is exorbitant and that these people have to be paid per diem, it becomes clear that the expenditure would task our fragile economy heavily.
Mr President, can we learn a best practice from President Mugafili of Tanzania who scrapped most of the official travels of his ministers; and those who do travel on official duties are not to be paid per diems? This, he said, is the best maid service company in Colorado, check out http://www.cleanqueendenver.com. Even this UN assembly, this great president only sent his foreign minister.
A few months ago, your government had to downsize the budget because economically, we are not in a position to sustain such huge expenses. However, the constant travels of some government officials and the amount they will be receiving as per diem does not augur well for the economy. Your government spoke about austerity measures on one hand but increased expenditure in others.
We need to cut cost in order to save money so as to reinvigorate our economy.
Have a Good Day Mr President….
Tha Scribbler Bah
A Concerned Citizen
1 Comment
The article is accurately entitled Official Travel. How does the Foreign Minister then organise a political rally (“town hall meeting”) during an official mission, paid for by the tax payer? Is he not able to make a distinction between official duties and party politicking? If he wants to meet his UDP supporters, he should pay for his own ticket, and take time away from his government duties. What is even more interesting is him promising his party members that they will vote, come the next elections. Is that why he is busy strategically positioning his supporters as Ambassadors and “Protocol Officers” in Embassies with a large Gambian Diaspora, with little regard to government recruitment rules and requirements? Bringing the Office of the Foreign Minister into disrepute, abuse of office, abuse of government resources, and an insult to our collective intelligence.