Posted by By Bekai Njie
Two senior government officials have reacted to the sanctions imposed on Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, the Lebanese business tycoon by the U.S after he was believed to be financing terrorists.
A close ally of former President Jammeh, Mr. Bazzi, has his accounts frozen in the United States by U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), for being a designated Hizballah financier.
In an interview with the Interior Minister Mr. Ebrima Mballow, said ” We are waiting the findings and recommendations of Janneh Commission, which is investigating the financial dealings of ex president Jammeh and his close aids and Bazzy is among them.
“When the commission is ready, they will make recommendation on him. We will take necessary action whatever they say.”
The Commission of Inquiry was established last year August and is expected to end August this year.
Mr. Bazzi came to The Gambia in 2000 during Jammeh regime and had one time had monopoly over fuel and flower businesses. He was the one who provided NAWEC 11 old generators, which was reported at the commission. He also provided fuel and spare parts for the company.
Mr. Bazzi was given the contract of the passports. He was also involved in eliminating and has businesses in Belgium and many parts of the sub–region.
“The government of the Gambia has read with keen interest the latest press release issued by the U.S. Treasury Department imposing sanctions against one of former President Jammeh’s business associates. This is yet another indication that the noose is beginning to tighten around the necks of Jammeh and those who helped him to wreck the Gambia’s economy,” Information Minister Demba Ali Jawo said.