President Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed secretaries of state, Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service and the Secretary to Cabinet at State House yesterday.

The newly sworn secretaries of state were Dr Omar Alieu Touray, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Nancy Njie, secretary of state for Tourism and Culture, Ms. Fatim Badjie, secretary of state for Communication Information and Information Technology, Mr. Abdoulie Sallah, secretary to Cabinet and Mrs. Teneng Ba Jaiteh Secretary General and Head of the Civil service.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Jammeh congratulated them for their new appointments and urged them to execute their duties for the best interest of the country. He added that for his regime, the development of the country is his priority and the sky is the limit.

President Jammeh urged the newly appointed secretaries of state to ignore the bad elements in society saying "some might have been telling you that you have joined the cabinet but you will not last there.

If you believe and listen to them, it means you don't want to work for the development of the nation. If you work and deliver the best, you will last" he urged. He cited Hon Njie-Saidy as an example for being the Vice President of The Gambia for 12 years and being someone whom he had never had any reason even once to question her integrity, patriotism and dedication to work".

According to the President, this does not mean that she doesn't make mistakes, just that she does not make mistakes deliberately.

He then expressed confidence that the newly appointed secretaries of state will execute their duties  diligently and urged them to implement decisions that are in the best interests of the country. He also advised the so-called technicians in the various departments of state to stop working for the downfalls of the secretaries of state.

"If you are working for the downfall of the secretary of state, don't be surprise that you will go before the secretary of state" he warned: "dig holes for others and you might fall in yourself".

Familiarisation tours

President Jammeh added that he cannot be fooled by any secretary of state on unending familiarisation tours. According to him, the tours can be conducted base on the fact that the constraints and conplains received from the tour will be solved rather than giving big promises without implementation. "Work towards improving what is right and try to solve the problems" he advised.

Gov't vehicles

The Gambian leader then urged the secretaries of state to make best use of their vehicles and take care of government vehicles as well.

On the government vehicles, President Jammeh described them as in very bad conditions noting that there is no control at any level in the various departments. "Government vehicles should be labelled and whereever they are, they should be recognise.

They should also carry GG numbers rather than allowing the unscruplous individuals to put on private number plates which they use to easily steal the vehicles. If you don't control the vehicles, the fuel consumption will be high and the sustainance will be difficult" he advised.

He then called on each department of state to ensure that there is a transportation officer to be responsible for the regular maintenance of vehicles. There should also be a log sheet for all vehicles. He then gave an order that henceforth each department of state should provide a transportation officer and log sheets for the vehicles.
 
Dedication to official duties

President Jammeh urged the cabinet members to aviod engaging in a hide and seek game but to be committed to the development of this country. "It is up to all of us to work hard for the nation. It is my government but at the end of the day, it is the country for all Gambians. The government is just an engine. Before it operates, all parts must work. I don't want any praises but do your work deligently for the interset of the nation. Do what is right and fear nobody and let us work sincerely.

For her part, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice President and secretary of state for Women's Affairs congratulated the newly sworn-in secretaries of state and the new Secretary General as well as the Secretary to Cabinet. She expressed confidence that with their expertise, it will greatly help in enhancing the operation of their various departments. She reassured them of her support noting that the cabinet is a family.

She also used the opportunity to salute the Gambian leader for empowering the Gambian women yet again appointing two more female secretaries of state.

Dr Omar Alieu Touray, the newly appointed secretary of state for Foreign Affairs on behalf of his colleagues thanked the Gambian leader for the confidence vested in them. He assured the President that they are fully ready to undertake and carry out their mandates and called on their colleague secretaries of state for support.