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Gambia News : Traffic blockade – A thing of the past?
If the president’s recent outings are anything to go by, one is tempted to believe that gone are days when highways would be closed to traffic for hours.
The presidential convoy really needs all the space without hindrance considering the speed at which it travels, coupled with the intermittent throwing of biscuits.
However, in this age of telecommunication where one out of every fine Gambians owns a mobile phone this waiting period prior to the president’s arrival could be greatly reduced.
The situation along the West Field-Tabokoto road stretch is always a nightmare during such outings.
It could take up to atleast an hour to travel this distance of about five kilometers. Most passengers would rather walk on foot than board taxis as it is found to be quicker to get to their destinations.
Mamadi Manjang Highway
(Churchill’s Town), offers us the unique opportunity to bear witness to the plight of the commuters. The situation is worst for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, nursing mothers with their young ones strapped on their backs and the disabled.
Therefore, if this recent development is as a result of the authorities taking on board the concerns of the public, we say, it is highly commendable.
The president in his addresses to the nation would always re-iterate his wish to make life easy for every Gambian. That is why we sometimes question whether certain orders are indeed given by the president himself. We have seen erratic decisions taken by some over-zealous government officials only to be later refuted by their superiors in whose names such decisions were taken.
Though we share the view that the security of the Head of State and by extension the country must never be compromised, whatever decisions are taken or to be taken, the plight of the common man should as well be given due consideration.
We are more than convinced that ensuring maximum security for the president and his entourage can be achieved without putting any undue suffering on the people. The peace and stability of the country is everyone’s business.
This dilemma is infact prolonged because of the culture of silence that is so characteristic of Gambians. Genuinely complaining about things that directly affect us is not a crime. We have every support to do so. The supreme of all authorities is the law, which stipulates that we are free to legitimately speak our mind, especially on issues that affect our lives. Why must we allow to suffer in peace?
Talk to people in the streets this has come as a big relief. According to most of these people what obtained previously affected almost everybody ranging from private car owners, taxi drivers to commuters.
Most drivers complained of the high rate of fuel consumption during these moments. It was not uncommon to see drivers struggling with their vehicles that sometimes ran out of fuel in the midst of the already congested traffic.
As we are yet to know the rationale behind this change we at the Daily News hope it is maintained. If it is a trial, we pray that it passes the test of time. This is indeed in the interest of the common man.
Kairaba Avenue
to the airport- Brikama Intersection and the Westfield-Tabokoto Stretch, would all be closed to vehicular traffic. We are made to understand that these are all security strategies. We are, however, yet to establish whether owing to this recent relaxation both routes will still be simultaneously closed to traffic.
The ability to respond to public concern is an art and so to the powers that be, we say: BRAVO.
We hope this spirit of being sensitive to the plight of the ordinary citizens is nurtured when decisions that impact directly on the lives of the people are taken. Surely it has been a shy of relief.
src: Daily News
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