Mai Ahmad Fatty, special adviser to President Adama Barrow, has clarified that his press statement on Thursday about bird strikes had nothing to do with the airport closure.

Mr Fatty wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday night that “the press statement HAS NOTHING to do with the cause of last stranded flight at Yundum. The timing was coincidental. The presser HAD TO DO WITH bird strike in April, and following investigations, remedial actions were proposed at the press briefing.”

Below we reproduce his full statement:

“We spoke to the press on the emergency because we do not believe in leasing this onerous responsibility out. As a Department, we assumed full responsibility on behalf of sectors to engage both official and non-official stakeholders on the emergency and looming peril.

“It is within our trade to do so. The press statement HAS NOTHING to do with the cause of last stranded flight at Yundum. The timing was coincidental. The presser HAD TO DO WITH bird strike in April, and following investigations, remedial actions were proposed at the press briefing.

“I have never categorically named anyone particular individual or entity of being responsible for dumping. The presser is very clear on that. I called for massive support from the community of Yundum as the host of the airport, to come out in their numbers to support the exercise. I singled out the Alkalolu, Imams and VDC to join in cleaning the mess around the environment. No where did I state that Yundum was responsible for aircraft bird strikes.

“There is no iota of truth or evidence to support the concoction that I intimidated or accused Yundum of irresponsible conduct. Not a shred of evidence from the audio. However, this will make no difference for the few who are not interested in the truth, because they are looking to score cheap political points.

“The Department of Strategic Policy & Delivery was tasked by Government to coordinate multi sectoral efforts, following the destruction of a tourist aircraft engine last month due to bird strike, costing 1.3million Pounds Sterling. Investigations proved indiscriminate dumping around Yundum and similar airport settlements, including the airport fence perimeter, and largely contributed towards the concentration of birds along flight departure and landing routes. God forbid if bird strike resulted to plane crash, that would be inconceivable for ordinary lives and our tourism economy.

“Hence the need to clean the environment around the airport range communities. Some tried to politicised this effort by attempting to shoot at the messenger, instead of the relevance of the message.

“The action of the Technical Committee under my auspices had nothing to do with the last aircraft failure on the ground few days ago which was clearly stated in the press briefing. That was purely coincidental. The Committee had decided on the environmental action two days prior to that incident. It’s unfair to the country to try to play politics with matters of national development. I do not believe anyone has the right to make political fortune out of potential national calamity. Yet, I shall never choose political popularity or convenience over what in good conscience I believe serves the national interest.

“As a public servant, I am not motivated by what is politically correct, convenient or popular. I am not dictated by personal profit or motivated by popular sentiment.

“When I make decisions, I do so in the best interest of the country, and let the consequences be damned. Neither praise nor condemnation shall influence my actions or decisions.

“As long as I can look into the eyes of my children confidently after the action or decision on public behalf, the rest is insignificant. History is recording and its verdict shall be just, and I stand firmly behind every word I uttered during the press briefing.

“The decision was my Department’s in the exercise of Executive task. I take full responsibility of all of the statements made during the Press Briefing. And make no mistake, we shall not relent or duck under hostile fire. Rather, we shall take on board all constructive criticisms in the conduct of our duties.”