The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh Monday laid the foundation stone of the US$10 million new National Assembly complex in Banjul.

When completed, the complex will house various offices like the office of the speaker with a waiting room; offices for both the majority and minority leaders, also with waiting rooms; and a chamber that can accommodate up to 400 guests. It will also have committee rooms; group offices for parliamentarians; an auditorium with a capacity of about 150 persons; and a canteen for dinning among others.

Construction work on the new complex is expected to last 12 months. Speaking at the occasion, President Jammeh thanked the government of India and Exim Bank for their patronage in providing the requisite funds to finance the construction of what would become an ultra-modern National Assembly complex in the sub-region.

He said the importance of the project cannot be overemphasised, and further spoke of his government’s commitment in having in place an effective legislature, and the necessity of creating the most conducive atmosphere to enhance legislative performance in The Gambia. The president pointed out that the new building will solve the problem of office space presently encountered at the old site; in addition to increased seating capacity not only for members of the National Assembly, but also the wider public as well as the press.

He described the day as another milestone in his government’s march towards dignity, freedom and prosperity. He also spoke briefly on the history of the current premises of the National Assembly, saying it was previously used by the colonial masters.

Homosexual
The Gambian leader declared a zero tolerance for homosexuals in The Gambia, adding that any act that violates the laws of the land will not be compromised. Describing homosexuality as ungodly and one that will not be tolerated in The Gambia, President Jammeh said that even pigs among other animals, do not involve in homosexuality. “So why are the human beings who are not created from evolution of animal doing it? We will live according to what Allah has said.

We are descendants of Adam and Eve and here in The Gambia, it is only a husband and a wife (man and woman) and nothing else. I will rather die but I will not allow homosexuals or lesbians in this country. If that is what those so-called democracy advocators want, I will not allow it here,” he stated, and attributed the disastrous change of climate as a punishment from Allah because of those ungodly acts.

He further declared that the development of The Gambia is in the hands of the Almighty Allah, saying, "I will not worship any human being except Allah and no human being can stop the development of The Gambia". For her part, Elizabeth Renner, the speaker of the National Assembly among other things, explained the role played by the government of The Gambia in ensuring the realisation of the project. She said: "The government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh negotiated with the government of India to grant the Gambia government and Exim Bank line of credit of US$10 million to finance the construction of a National Assembly building complex."

According to Speaker Renner, such infrastructure will at least enable the National Assembly to fulfil its international obligation of hosting regional and general conferences. She then thanked the members of the taskforce that was created to look at the mandate of the project and the technical committees and all other supporting individuals and institutions for their commitment and contributions in seeing the project through.