By Omar Bah
Omar Beyai, the self-styled leader of the so-far unregistered All People’s Party, has called on President Adama Barrow to demonstrate transparency and accountability on the fertilizer scandal, allegedly involving Agric minister Omar Jallow and his staffers.
Minister Omar Jallow has since denied the allegations presenting documentary evidence that the contract to dispose off the fertilizer was above board. The minister also threatened to sue Kerr Fatou, the medium which broke the story.
However Mr Beyai said it is imperative for President Barrow to act on the matter urgently in the interest of the public. “I would not want to believe that OJ will take part in such an act. But if it is true that it does happen, he should perhaps honorably resign just like the IGP did,” Beyai said.
He said because government is a large and complex organization that is vulnerable to mismanagement or undue influence.
He continued to suggest that the there is a need for the president to improve whistleblower protections.
”Employees across multiple agencies in the country have some of the weakest whistleblower protections,” Beyai argued.
He added that it is imperative for the president to also establish a new position at State House that focuses exclusively on transparency and accountability.
The person hired for this position, he added, must be part of the President’s inner circle and have adequate staff support.
“The person should report to the President and senior staff on what is being done to strengthen accountability and transparency, and about what is working and not working when it comes to strengthening government accountability,” he stated.
