Editor,

Please allow me space in your widely read newspaper to congratulate the President His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the successful revolution and as well highlight the numerous developments that his dynamic leadership has brought to the country in just sixteen years. I deemed this fundamental because looking from the sunrise to the sunset; I have seen the vision of success

From Kartomg to Koina, the good road networks, telecommunications, schools, hospitals, electricity supply, agriculture, security, water supply are self evident and in fact, these aforementioned features of infrastructural development, anywhere, are regarded as basic necessities for continuous survival of any society. I would now like to say a little about the tremendous achievements registered each of the aforesaid sectors.

Education

Under the dynamic leadership of President Jammeh, a lot of schools ranging from junior secondary to senior secondary across the country have been constructed.  The recent construction of Mayork and Siffoe Senior Secondary Schools, the University of The Gambia for the first time in the history, the Medical School and school Nursing, Kanilai Maths and Science Academy, etc. It is evident that every division in The Gambia, the AFPRC and APRC government constructed senior and junior secondary schools in order to make education accessible and affordable for the average Gambians and the new system of decentralization minimized the rural urban migration; before students look for schools, but now schools look for students.

The fairly distribution of scholarships to the deserving students and the introduction of education for free from the primary level and free education for girls up to the higher level; talk less of the President's personal support of unknown amount of students you sponsor both here and abroad and the modern education system in place with the introduction of computer classes and the information and technology institutions across the nation. No more- early exit from school due to lack of funds and your kind generosity for providing school buses to all junior and tertiary levels.  Thank you Jammeh

Health sector

The backbone of any successful nation is the health sector.  A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Lots of hospitals, health centers were builds across the nation by the AFPRC and APRC under President Jammeh's regime. The construction of AFPRC general hospital, Serrekunda hospital, Sulayman Junkung hospital, the new Kanilai Paediatric hospital, Jammeh Foundation for Peace hospital, etc. There is also massive upgrading of health centers too, recently the upgrading of Royal Victoria hospital to a Teaching hospital.  All these hospitals are equipped with modern facilities and ambulances.

The country can now boast of having our own doctors and nurses, thanks to the introduction of school of Nursing and the Cuban doctors. The launching of operation clean the nation is a successful campaign towards the control of malaria and other diseases. Your personal free treatment for HIV aids patients, Asthma, TB, High Blood etc extended to all citizens and non-citizens as well.  There is now access to health centers across the nation with affordable medicines and doctors to attend to patients’.  Thank you Mr President

Communication sector

Gone are the days when we can hear but cannot see, thanks to the AFPRC and APRC intervention in July 22 1994.  First time in our history the Jammeh government launched a Television Station.  Thank you Sheikh Professor Yahya A.J.J Jammeh for making communication accessible to all of us.  Before, we can hear but cannot see. There has also been modernization of Gambia Radio and Gamtel. There is freedom of speeches, write and talk, access to Internet services to the wider world; GSM services of four companies, Gamcel, Africell, Comium and the latest Qcell.First time to go on satellite and the world can now see us.  Private Radio Station and Information and Technology centres from Banjul to the last remote village there is access to say, hear and see.

Sport

We all agree that it is because of your support that contributes to the success of sport in The Gambia.  Since you introduced July 22nd Peace Tournament,  it opens the road to success.  We are crowned 2005 Under 17 tournament champions and went to Under 17 in Peru.  Then Under 20 in Canada and again crown Under 17 Champions in Algeria 2009.  Jammeh’s babies as we call them, lots of them secure contracts in the professional leagues.

Agriculture:

APRC government's first slogan is back to the land, we eat what we grow and food self-sufficient is in line with Vison 2020.  Millions of birds are singing the songs of melody to Sheikh, Professor, Doctor, Alhaji Yahya A.J.J Jammeh for the abundant rice fields and other varieties they benefit from the farm.  Thousand of tractors have been distributed, fertilizers and latest modern agriculture varieties introduced.

In agriculture you are leading by example and others are following you. With your support to women's agricultural gardens and the intervention of the Taiwanese Technical Support Team, we are now eating what we grow.  The importation of foreign vegetables and varieties are now minimised.  Kanilai Family Farm, which was initiated by you, is the major sources of food for the average Gambians.  Mr President your animal husbandry and the zoo, all of these contributed to the success of agriculture in The Gambia.  Meat is now affordable to both the poor and the rich, thanks to Kanilai Family farm intervention.  Thank you Mr President for regaining of our lost flora and fauna.

Energy

As you are now the energy minister, even the blind can now walk in the night.  We can now operate 24 hours business service without any fear of arm robbers. Streetlights all over the business centres; there is 24 hours electricity service system. No more on and off diseases, and now lots of investors are installing their equipments.

Rural electrification project is a tremendous achievement and is a project well done.  Rural people can now run their business without coming to the urban area. Thanks to your leadership quality and your concern to the less privileged. The newly installation of Brikama power plant by your regime also boasts the energy sector and the Mandinary fuel storage and the recent graduates of Gambian students studying energy in Taiwan presently occupying the sector.

Infrastructure

From July 1994 up to date, so many developments are taking place. The building of new airport, the Kombo Coastal Road project, Westfield to Soma road construction, installation of street lights, markets and newly first class market in Bwiam. Amdallaye highway, Mandinaba Sility highway, the ongoing Westfield Sukuta highway and feeder roads across the country; the recent expansion of the airport runway, which is first in Africa and installation of traffic lights.

Business

So many private enterprises we have registered and still more in the pipeline.  So many banks, hotels, transportation, agricultural centres, mining companies, fisheries, estate developers, construction companies, communication companies, the July 22nd Business Park in Yundum etc all these came under your leadership quality Mr President.

Peace building

Good friends are good neighbours.  Jammeh's regime has contributed to the success of peace building in Africa and the world at large.  A case in point was the Guinea Bissau and Cassamance peace negotiation.

Diplomacy

As you are among the founding fathers of Africa Union and the 7th Africa Union Summit held here in Banjul from 25th June – 2nd July 2006 and the building of the AU village during the summit are remarkable. We also have great bilateral cooperations and cordial relationship with the world at large.

From AFPRC to APRC, your government has made us to be Gambians anywhere in the world. Thank you for your leadership quality President Jammeh. There is so many operations launched by you and all of them became successful.  We should reciprocate your gesture by launching Operation We Thank you.

Religious tolerance

Under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, both Muslims and Christians enjoy religious tolerances and respect each other's religion.  There is freedom to worship and belief in any religion.

Gender equity

The APRC government has invested in both financial and human resources. Gender equality is another priority of this government.  The women are given the opportunity to invest, occupy and participate in nation building. Her Excellency Madam Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy who is occupying the position of Vice President and Speaker of the National Assembly is also a lady.  The women empowerment and the creation of women’s bureau are helping to incorporate our women in national development.

Security

Security is one of Jammeh's priorities and he wants every Gambian to sleep without fear, move without been robbed and to create a smooth environment for business.  The present upgrading of all the barracks and the construction of accommodation centers for the security units; transforming the security units to become well-equipped and professional units.  Also we partake in past and present peace keeping missions in Africa and the world at large.

Water supply:

The ongoing water project to provide portable and clean drinking water supply to both the rural and urban areas if completed would add to other water projects inaugurated by Jammeh's government. This multi million dalasi project which is awarded to Blast Nedam with its headquarter in Brikama; also the Japan water project at Shom village and Sintet village borehole are examples of improvements in water supply in the country.

Fisheries

The government has provided a lot to the fishing industry, it had provided some fishing boats and trawlers to youths.  The recent fishing boat donated by the Iranian government, the cold store at Tanji and the ongoing fish market project at Brikama are startling evidences to this fact.

Tourism and culture

A lot of hotels have been constructed and upgraded to Five Star standards; this is in the bid to transform The Gambia's tourism industry to international level.  The newly state own Five Star Ocean Bay Hotel and other private own Five Star hotels across the nation. All these contributed to the socio-economic development.

The preservation and rejuvenation of the eco-tourism sector, the like of Makasutu Cultural Forest, Sindola Lodge, Sndele Eco, Abuko Nature, Chimpanzee Park, Kanilai International Festival and the Homecoming Roots Festival all play a significant role to the promotion of our culture to the world.  Thanks for been the founder of these festivals.