Deputies at the National Assembly has described the economic recession as a global problem that has not only affect the Gambian economy but all economies around the world.  

NAMs raised these concerns last Tuesday during the adjournment debate at the fourth meeting of the Assembly in the 2008 legislative year. For Hon. Cherno Cham, National Assembly member for Lower Niumi, politicians cannot used the economy situation of the country to fool Gambians by associating the world’s problem as the problem of The Gambia.

According to him,  since the inception of  Jammeh’s administration, it has registered series of developments. He added that "even the world’s super power countries’ their economies are undergoing crisis".

Business community
The Lower Niumi NAM said: "we must be vigilant with the business community. Let them be sympathetic to the entire population. What they claim to be expensive items are the most needed commodities. Some businessmen used such strategies to maximised profit on the soul of the poor people".

Security matters
Hon. Saihou Susso, NAM for Kantora spoke of the need to help Fatoto police station with some logistic materials, such as vehicle to facilitate night patrol for the Police Intervention Unit Officers in his area. He commended them for their hard work since their reinforcement in that region.

Hon. Abdoulie Saine NAM for Banjul Central appealed to the authorities to move the police check point at Denton Bridge to the Banjul end, so as to avoid vehicles line up on the bridge whilst checking. According to him, the bridge is getting old and with huge number of vehicles parked on the bridge, it is not safe.

Hon. Babanding KK Daffeh, NAM for Kiang Central welcomed Jammeh’s initiative in strengthening the security apparatus in the country. Hon. Adama Cham, NAM for Kombo North commended President Jammeh and his government for the numerous development initiatives, citing Westfield---Sukuta road construction project as the most recent one.

He further refuted rumours that there are no groundnut buying centers (seccos) around the country. According to him, during his recent visit to Nianija constituency in Central River region and other parts of the country, he observed that there is a massive restructuring of groundnut buying point and new centers opened. Hon. Cham then suggested for the need to turn Kombo North to a municipality of its own.

Hon. Babucarr Nyang, NAM for Banjul South, Hon. Lamin Jadama, NAM for Niamina West, Momodou Sanneh, Minority leader and Hon. Lamin Bojang all spoke during the debate.

NGOs operations
Hon. Cherno Cham, the National Assembly member for Lower Niumi constituency has raised concerns over the operational activities of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the country. According to him, there are several NGOs in the country which have even doublicated intervention in certain areas and has not achieved even one of their missions. He warned that peolpe should monitore those NGOs who make project proposals and never fulfill it.
Hon. Cham made these revelation last Tuesday during the adjourndment debate at the National Assembly.

He said "TANGO which is the body responsible for the NGO affairs, must be very active to ensure that those who apply as an NGO, to add their little to governments development efforts".

According to him, there are certain NGOs existing in this country who seal TANGO and no body knows their mode of operation and financing, except, themselves and donors. "We cannot live under this situation.People used their intellects to develop projects for Gambians when in the actual fact, the government is not even aware of those existence," Hon. Cham noted.

He used the debate to commend President Jammeh who is also the commander-in-chief of the Gambia armed forces for announcing the establishment of a new Army Barracks in his constituency. He described the initiative as one of the numerous developments taking place in his area. He expressed hope that the establishment of the new Army Barracks in Lower Niumi will reduce the armed robbery cases in the area.