By Buba Gagigo
Hon. Mama Kandeh, Secretary-General and Party Leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress, has voiced his concerns over the government’s decision to award a contract to a Swiss company purportedly involved in a $90.6 million corruption scandal.
“I write in my capacity as the Party Leader and Secretary General of the Gambia Democratic Congress and, most importantly, as a concern Gambian over the awarding of stickers contract to SICPA a Swiss company convicted of corruption scandal. The Swiss Federal prosecutor has ordered the Vaud-based security inc company SICPA to pay CHF 81 million ($90.6 million) for corporate criminal liability over the payment of bribes in various countries. It is shocking and worrying that the awarding of this contract to provide stickers for a bottle of water at 0.90 bututs and beverages 1.20 Bututs both pegged to the Euro, and when the Euro appreciates, the price of stickers goes up,” Kandeh said.
Kandeh emphasized that the company’s tainted reputation from previous corruption scandals poses a significant risk to the country’s social, economic, and political progress.
“By awarding the stickers contract to SICPA simply means the price of a bottle of drinking water will go up by 15% and the price of locally manufactured beverages will go up by 18%. This is because the sticker price costs apply to the advance payment of stickers for goods not yet sold. Why was the contract not open for tender as a better way of curbing corruption and abuse of power by those in authority?” he asked.
The GDC leader highlighted similar issues with the Securiport fee, where both Gambians and non-Gambians are mandated to pay a fee with unclear allocation.
“This shows a lack of transparency and accountability, and similar issues are to be experienced with the SICPA as the revenue derives from the expected charges for the stickers, and it is unclear where it is heading to.
“Mr. President, I would profoundly bring this to your attention that it is not a good precedent to champion such deals that are of no interest to our country. We have seen how NIRO is slowly bringing down Gambia International Airline (GIA) by championing them at the expense of our very own GIA. The case of the National ID Card contract was denied to a Gambian company and awarded to SEMLEX a company reported with many dubious acts. With the continuity of these, when are we fully going to take ownership of our own development?” Kandeh said.
He further noted that the Senegambia Bridge, Securiport, ferry services, and now SICPA have all been tied up in long-term arrangements, raising concerns about the country’s sovereignty.
Kandeh urged the Minister of Trade and Integration to scrutinize the deal, expressing doubt that it serves the nation’s interests.
“I advise the government to work towards enhancing accountability and transparency as two important elements of good governance. It is a powerful force that, when consistently applied, can help fight corruption, improve good governance and promote accountability,” he concluded.