By Ramatoulie Jawo
Commercial State-owned Enterprises earlier today appeared before the National Assembly Public Enterprise Committee (PEC).
Speaking to authorities, Lamin J. Sanneh, the chairperson of the committee said the Bureau of Committees at its meeting resolved that moving forward; the Public Enterprises Committee shall focus on only thirteen commercial state-owned enterprises.
“Public Enterprises are required by law to submit their reports to the National Assembly as per Section 175 Subsection (5) of the Constitution. A Public Enterprise shall, within three months of the end of its financial year, submit an annual report to the National Assembly on its business and operations during the preceding year; provided that the appropriate committee of the National Assembly may extend the time for the submission of any report,” he said.
Chairman Sanneh said that the Public Enterprise Committee has powers to call for persons, papers, reports and records and invite expert opinion in the process of its monitoring, investigation and general performance of its oversight role.
He said that Section 109 Subsection 3 indicates that for the purpose of effectively performing its functions, each of the committees shall have all the powers, rights and privileges as are vested in the High Court.
“The Committee shall convene its sittings to consider audited accounts and financial statements of Public Enterprises from 27th June to 29th July, 2022. At the end of this meeting, the Committee shall share its work plan for attention and necessary action. It shall strictly adhere to the dates allocated to PEs in order to maximize the limited time allocated for Committee Operations by the National Assembly,” he continued.
During his intervention, Hon. Almameh Gibba, a member of the committee, urged the institutions to put their houses in order to meet expectations.
“This six legislature wants to change the narrative of institutions bringing their reports late because it sometimes doesn’t make sense at all,” he said.
Meanwhile, the State-owned Enterprises referred to by the committee include the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), Gambia Ferries Service Authority (GFSA); Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC); Gambia Telecommunication Limited (GAMTEL); Gambia Cellular Company Limited (GAMCEL); Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); Gambia International Airline (GIA); National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC); Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC); National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSC); Gambia Postal Service (GAMPOST); Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS); Gambia Public Printing Corporation (GPPC); and Assets Management and Recovery Corporation (AMRC).