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The Independent (Banjul)

The eight member panel which comprised representatives of the National Intelligence Agency, the National Environmental Agency, the Gambia Ports Authority and other stakeholders sat for more than three weeks and interviewed 26 witnesses. The report revealed that the MV Jonas was towed into Gambian waters on January 23, 2000 by the MV Dali purportedly for repairs. According to the report, the crew of the vessel contacted Sebastian Sylva of Cosmos shipping Agency who accepted to become the boat's agent 'without ascertaining ownership and other relevant documents pertaining to the vessel'. It went on to state that despite MV Jonas was never boarded by anyone to ascertain whether it had anything on board and yet both the MV Jonas ad the MV Dali which towed it to Banjul Port were given clearance by the GPA boarding team. It stated that the MV Jonas was given 28 days by the GPA to carry out repairs to its engine and that the MV Dali was allowed to leave more than three weeks later without the MV Jonas even though it had already been found out that it could not be economically repaired in The Gambia. The report went on to state that the MV Jonas was also found to contain a large quantity of fuel which was allegedly siphoned to a Gambia registered vessel called the MV Cooma and later allegedly sold in the black market by the captain and crew of the MV Cooma.

Even though according to the report, laboratory analysis could not positively establish or refute the allegation that the MV Jonas contained any toxic waste, but that it is clear that the boat had been in Gambian waters in 'very dubious circumstance'. The report therefore recommended certain measures to be taken in order to avoid a recurrence of the situation, such as the immediate removal of the vessel from Gambian waters to avert environmental hazard posed by its wreckage. It also recommended that in future every vessel coming into Gambian waters be physically boarded by all members of the boarding party before being given permission to stay. The report further alleged that the MV Jonas' scenario was part of a trend which resulted in the sinking of another vessel the MV Aldebaran near the Banjul Port. It further named certain GPA officials such as the acting Harbour Master Wally Sanyang and the Safety Manager Captain Cherno Jatta; some members of the business community such as Hassib Massry of Castle Oil; certain British nationals such as Mike King, Captain Philip Graham Young and Raymond Norman Hepburn and some shipping agents for being engaged in 'dubious dealings' which the report said include 'bribery corruption, smuggling (cigarettes and fuel) and illegal residence'.

In conclusion, the report indicted some senior officials of the GPA for using their offices for commercial gains. It said the sinking of the MV Aldebaran and the protracted stay of the MV Jonas could have been averted had the appropriate action been taken. It accused the GPA officials of having a carefree attitude to their work. It therefore recommended the GPA management to redress the situation.

On the role of foreign nationals, the report accused certain British nationals for being 'resident and working in the Gambia without proper immigrant status and engaged in nefarious social and commercial activities'. It further alleged that these people work in syndicate with some Gambians in illegal activities such as 'shipwrecking, prostitution, smuggling and fraud'. It added that these people were exploiting the labour of Gambians without paying them adequately. 'In the light of the above, foreign nationals in the country should be closely monitored,' the report concluded.