By Arfang M.S. Camara
Deputies at the National Assembly have rejected a motion for the extension period of the State of public Emergency to another 45 days.
The motion which was tabled before the lawmakers on Saturday received the support from 23 lawmakers and was rejected by 25 legislators out of the 47 lawmakers present.
Tabling the motion before the National Assembly, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubacarr Tambadou said that there is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic continues to pose a clear and present danger to The Gambia and remains deadly.
“So as the government needs to continue taking measures that will, inter alia, break the chain of transmission in order to prevent a further spread of the virus, and concurrently alleviate the consequent hardship that all Gambians may face,” he said.
According to him, the government is aware of the measures which may be imposed as a result of the extension will affect the lives of Gambians, adding that like he said before this is now a matter of survival first, and not about individual preferences.
The opposing members for the motion, believed that extending the public emergency for another period is unjustifiable considering the living condition of the people.
“There is a total failure on the implementation of the regulations given to the government during the 45 days’ period of public emergency,” said Hon. Madi M.K Ceesay, member for Serekunda West
He added they are not going to support any motion for extension because the government has lapses in terms of its implementing to some of the regulations.
Meanwhile, members backing the motion from government believed that supporting the governments on the extension will help citizens and the country in the fight against covid-19.
“We need to support the government to extend the State of Public Emergency in order to help citizens and the country in general from the pandemic,” said Halifa Sallah, NAM for Serekunda Central.
Meanwhile the law says that, the motion must have the backing 43 votes of the parliament before it can be passed.
The state emergency which is due to end on Monday 18th May 2020, was first extended by the parliament on 27th march after an initial 7-day declaration by president Adama Barrow.
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