Essa Faal launches blueprint, promises to bring back draft constitution

 Essa Faal, an independent presidential candidate has launched a blueprint and promised to bring back the rejected draft constitution and other laws including Anti-Corruption Bill.

“The first 30 days of my government shall lay the foundation for a new Gambia, anchored on the unbending principles and values of Transparency, human rights and rule according to law. I therefore declare my commitment and promise to transition the country to a new democratic Gambia where the Law will be the queen of my government.

“I therefore promise that I intend to consolidate the gains made by the Gambian people in 2016, by doing the following amongst many other important initiatives: Expedite the enactment of the long overdue Anti-Corruption Bill, Reinstate the Draft Constitution 2020, Expedite the enactment of the Elections Bill 2020, Accept and implement all the Recommendations and Findings of the TRRC, Review the Commission findings and recommendations of the Security Sector Reform, Establish a Prisons Taskforce to undertake a comprehensive review of prison conditions, Establish a Hospital Taskforce to undertake a comprehensive review on the state of all hospitals, clinic and other health facilities up and down the country,” he said in his blueprint.

Meanwhile, the lawyer-turned politician said in his blueprint he will “responsibly end ECOMIG mission in the Gambia within 6 months of taking over power. Train Gambian security forces with trades and other academic specialties to prepare them for job. Build trust with the security forces and boost morale by frequent interaction and listening to the needs of the security forces.

“Pay security forces and law enforcement officers livable wages that will restore their personal integrity and set up soft loan facilities for service members. Establish civil Defense Force comprising detachments from all Security Service Units to perform contingency operations to support civilian activities.”

He said he will help “restored pride and dignity to our National Armed and Security Forces and rejuvenated Security Sector, by providing training in modern security and law and order techniques to ensure tranquility and security of the Gambian people and safety of their property.”

“Trained and well discipline military, with adequate resources for meaningful and effective operations. Dedicated schemes to support security sector personnel for life after service. Trained 2000 specialist Army Corps of engineers, medics, teachers and disaster intervention experts, to be deployed and utilised as development and civil defense vanguards,” he stated.