National Assembly Chambers
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The National Assembly has adopted resolutions based on the report from the National Assembly Petition Committee regarding the petitions from concerned staff of the Gambia Tourism Board (GT Board).
The Committee reached these resolutions after investigating a petition submitted by concerned staff members of the GT Board regarding irregularities in the tourism sector.
Despite facing several setbacks in the plenary, the resolutions were eventually adopted.
Presenting the resolutions to the lawmakers, Hon. Suwaibou Touray, Chairperson of the Committee, emphasized that the Committee recommended the National Assembly establish a Parliamentary Enquiry to investigate land allocations in the Tourism Development Areas between 2017 and 2024, with a deadline of February 1, 2025.
Regarding staff employment issues, he further stated that the Select Committee on Tourism and the Ombudsman should oversee the process to ensure that all senior staff affected by wrongful termination or dismissal due to the petition are reinstated to their former positions at the head office with immediate effect.
“That the Auditor General must institute a staff audit, to commence from January 2017 to December 2023 to ascertain the way and manner appointments and promotions are conducted at GTB and report back to the FPAC on or before 1st February 2025, that Board of GT Board must ensure that all departments are headed by qualified, experienced and competent personnel as per the Act,” he said.
He further stated that the Auditor General should appoint a Quantity Surveyor to review all investment project applications and provide advice on the total quoted investment.
Regarding the budget allocation for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Chairperson emphasized that the GT Board must immediately cease the weekly fuel supply to the Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
“The GT Board must ensure that all expenses made to the Ministry of Tourism must be captured in the Annual Activity Report and Financial Statements of the Board,”he said.
He emphasized the need for a more diverse Governing Board at the GT Board, comprising members from various backgrounds, perspectives, and interests. This, he said, would promote a robust decision-making process and help prevent conflicts of interest.
“The Governing Board of GTB must formulate a policy document to address issues of Conflict of Interest to ensure that spouse or mother father or son daughter does not participate in a Board meeting that concerns their interest officials of institutions that are adversely mentioned in an enquiry should be suspended until investigations are completed,”he said.
Member for Foni Bintang Karanai, Hon. Bakary K. Badgie, stated that the alleged wrongful termination of GT staff is inappropriate and emphasized that such misconduct can only be rectified if the wrongful act is addressed. He also voiced his dissatisfaction with the committee’s decision not to recommend the termination of the Minister, particularly in light of allegations that the Minister has been receiving fuel coupons from the GT Board in connection with the Eco-lodge project.
Hon. Omar Jammeh, the National Assembly member for Janjanburah, expressed his disappointment to the committee, noting that the resolutions have been brought to the plenary five times without reaching an agreement.”That also shows how disorganized we are as a Parliament and how we are polluted in terms of our political affiliations, so that is one disappointment I will definitely register to the committee. I don’t think we should allow such to continue among us because we are not here to favour an individual, we are not here to work towards the interest of an individual member so as such our work should be guided by integrity,”he said.
Hon. Sulayman Saho from Central Badibou characterized the situation as a catastrophe for the economy, attributing significant economic losses to the actions of the Minister of Tourism. Stating that “And it’s all caused by the minister of Tourism and that is the hard fact.”
Nominated Member Fatoumatta Jawara criticized the resolution addressing workplace relationships, labelling it discriminatory and calling for a revision to ensure that all Gambians have equal opportunities, regardless of familial connections.
“Under conflict of interest I think this part should be revisited because everybody is a Gambian and he or she is entitled to work at any department in respect of whether your father is there or your mother is there. This should be totally spelt out if not we are discriminating against some Gambians. And people want to involve politics in this, and we must protect every Gambian in respect of what,” he stated.
Following a heated debate, the resolutions were passed with 17 members voting in favour, 16 against, and one abstention, allowing the resolutions to be adopted by the National Assembly.