By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Abdoulie Sanyang, disclosed during a Parliamentary session that millions collected by Securiport between January 2023 and August 2023 have been banked.
This revelation was made at the National Assembly on Wednesday in response to a question from Hon. Omar Jammeh, the National Assembly member for Janjanbureh. Hon. Jammeh requested a report on the current Securiport financial statement from January 2023 to March 2024 and the account lodgment for fees collected from travelers.
“Hon speaker, the revenue collected and banked by securiport from January 2023 to August 2023 in Dalasi one hundred, twenty-five million, six hundred thirty-two thousand four hundred ninety-eight Dalasi (D 125,632,498.08) for the amount collected in dollars was four hundred seventy-five thousand six hundred ninety-seven ($475697.88). For the amount collected in British pounds was one hundred eighty-one thousand seven hundred fifty-one (181,751.25) and finally the amount collected from travellers in euro currency was seven hundred twenty-seven thousand five hundred eighty-nine euro ( 727,589.19),” he said.
Minister Sanyang further explained that the government’s 25% share amounted to D314,081.25, $118,924.25, £45,437.81, and €181,897.00.
He added that the Ministry has yet to receive the revenue collected from September 2023 to March 2024 and assured that the Assembly would be updated in due course.
In a supplementary question, Hon. Jammeh inquired about the specific account where the collected amounts are lodged. The Minister responded that the bank handles the distribution, with Securiport taking 75% and the government receiving 25% directly.
Hon. Jammeh further questioned whether it would be prudent for the Ministry to know the specific account where the 25% is paid. The Minister replied that once the money is paid to the government, he does not need to know the specific account.
Hon. Yahya Sanyang, the member for Latrikunda Sabiji, argued that diplomatic passport holders do not pay this particular airport tax. The Minister explained that diplomatic passports come with privileges, including exemption from visa fees at embassies.