The Piece Meal State of Emergency is uncalled For

The President of the republic of the Gambia, Adama Barrow needs to closely look into the piece meal state of public emergency he keeps declaring, after lacking the backing of the National Assembly.

Since the first declaration of a public emergency in March 2020 by President Barrow it was  extended only once by members of the National Assembly. The subsequent request by the Government was rejected by the National assembly saying it was not necessary. Since that rejection, President Barrow keep declaring new days as prescribe by the 1977 Constitution ; which is 21 days when members of the National Assembly are not sitting or 7 days when members are in sessions.

President Barrow has since declared 21 days, twice in a row and one of the 7 days which will elapses tomorrow the 7 July 2020.

The National Assembly shall continue to be in session until the 23 July 2020.  Does it mean that President Barrow will have to declare another couple of 7 days as the Constitution dictates or will Barrow reason that it is no more necessary to declare anymore State of Public emergency as the National Assembly felt.

President Barrow will only cause more harm and he will heap more hardship on his citizens if he continues to declare another state of public emergency.

Public emergency or not, Gambians are back on to their normal lives and activities , so what is the use of the piece meal declaration of a public state of emergency by President Barrow? The Banjul International Airport is open to commercial flights eventhoug the flights are not as many as they used to be. The SN Brussels flight has since started landing and its first flight came in a couple of weeks ago. We have seen, also since then a few more flights coming in and out of the country.

All markets are open from 6am to 6pm for a while now; and vehicles are full to capacity and ceremonies are on at almost everywhere and no upper limit of gathering is observed. Social distancing is not observed in all such meetings and gatherings. No face masks are wore in public transports. The only restrictions of the state of public emergency is the closure of; and land boarders and schools.

The President should end the piece meal emergency declarations and strengthen regulations such as face masks, and social distancing. The State should also make sure that there is strict control of our boarders and mass testing be an order of the day.

President Barrow is misusing his powers as he lacks the backing of the National Assembly in support of a State of public Emergency.