The president of the Republic and commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has warned that the ‘eye service syndrome’ in the army will not be tolerated, thus urging the officers to do their work with diligence, professionalism and a high sense of responsibility.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was speaking Wednesday afternoon at State House in Banjul while presiding over the piping and swearing-in ceremony of six officers of GAF who were recently promoted to various senior ranks in the army. The officers are Sulayman Badgie, Alhaji Martin and Bora Colley, elevated from the rank of colonel to Brigadier General; Umpah Mendy and Ousman Gomez, elevated from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel; and Solo Bojang and Ansumana Sanyang, elevated from the ranks of major and corporal to Lieutenant Colonel and Lieutenant respectively.
The officers, who swore on the holy books according to their faith to always work towards the high standard of unity, progress, camaraderie, and discipline in GAF, took six different oaths of allegiance. President Jammeh, in his traditional words of wisdom urged officers to work with professionalism, reiterating that, “eye service is unacceptable”. He said: “I don’t expect the armed forces to work because the president is going around. That’s eye service. When the president is coming you clean the barracks and when the president leaves, the barracks become a dumpsite. That’s unacceptable.” The commander-in-chief admonished the officers to always strive to do their best with honesty, pointing out that the end result of such will be the Almighty Allah’s reward.
“I want to make one thing very clear, those of you who have been promoted to various ranks you are working on a knife’s edge. If you don’t want to work, just resign. Eye service will not be tolerated in the armed forces. You are put in positions of command – if you cannot take care of the welfare of the people under your command, you can never command any unit in my armed forces. And so if you are not going to take responsibility for the welfare and responsibility for your unit, then you will lose the rank.
Massive investment
While commending the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence and the chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of GAF for the renovation or rehabilitation works in the military installations, President Jammeh stated his government’s commitment towards creating an enabling environment for the army. He cited Yundum Barracks where a substantial amount of money has been spent. The Gambian leader, while reiterating that his government will do all it can to continue to support the armed forces, stressed that the officers also have a role to play as national development is all about sacrifice. He specifically urged the officers to ensure that the maintenance of where they live becomes their personal responsibility as government can only provide the facilities.
“Merit-based service”
President Jammeh also reaffirmed his earlier pronouncement that the armed and security services of this country will be a merit-based service and not a seniority-based service in terms of reward, thus elucidating that promotion will be based on merit. The commander-in-chief concluded by reassuring that his government will always support GAF. The vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy thanked the commander-in-chief for once again promoting a sizeable number of officers of GAF, while also stressing that the promotions are based on merit.
The VP said: “But why has His Excellency the president done that? It is because he was there before – the discipline that he maintained there is what he continues to maintain; the loyalty is the same; the love for the country is the same and the list goes on. Once you follow the examples of His Excellency the president – the loyalty, bravery [and] commitment to work and a host of others, you will not make a mistake.” She urged the officers to listen to the advice of the president, carry out his instructions and be loyal to the country and the leadership.
Adding his voice, the minister of the Interior, Ousman Sonko, congratulated the officers on their promotion, while enjoining them to leave up to expectations, as exemplary leaders. While reminding the officers that their promotions go with more responsibilities and challenges, the Interior minister expatiated on the massive transformations, including high-level promotions the armed forces has witnessed over the years under the leadership of President Jammeh. He pointed out that this was not the case before 1994.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Defence, Harry Sambou, harped on the immense material, financial and moral support that the president continues to render to GAF, as well as capacity building. He then reminded the newly promoted officers that, “to whom much is given, much is expected”.
Speaking earlier, the chief of Defence staff (CDS) of GAF, Lieutenant General Masanneh Kinteh, underscored that the move is yet another demonstration of commitment that the commander-in-chief has for GAF in particular, and the country in general. He then commended the president on behalf of the entire members of GAF for the promotions. The CDS noted that the various ranks were carefully selected by the president based on the systematic growth and transformation of GAF. He further noted that the decorated officers were promoted to fill the vacancies at a senior level based on their commitment and hard work as well as the trust reposed on them by the president. He emphasised that promotions in the armed forces, like in many other institutions is a rare privilege that is meant to encourage and reward people for their hard work, devotion to national duty, loyalty and commitment.
These qualities, the CDS continued, are the merit-based qualities upon which promotions in the armed forces are placed. He then urged the newly promoted officers to redouble their efforts in order to leave up to expectations associated with their new ranks and appointments. He also urged the officers to keep it in mind that they will be expected to do their work with absolute diligence, hard work, fairness, and above all to always put the interest of their country first before self.
SOURCE: DAILY OBSERVER