The lawmakers have approved a payment of D500, 000 for each commissioner on the Janneh Commission on Thursday. Justice Minister said the Commission will likely present its report before January 10 to the presidency.
The commission established to investigate the financial dealings of former president and his associates has sold 145 tractors believed to have been owned by former dictator Yahya Jammeh.
The minister of justice, Abubacarr Tambadou, told lawmakers on Thursday that the proceeds accrued from the sales was 23, 655,000 (Twenty-three million, six hundred and fifty five thousand dalasis).
And minister explained that little over 10 million of the entire bulk was deposited into the Commission’s account at the Central Bank of the Gambia while over 13 million was paid into a sub-treasury account at the Trust Bank Limited.
He also said that the Commission has reserved 47 tractors which is still under Government’s custody.
Jammeh ruled Gambia for over two decades during which he was accused of severe human rights violations and corruption.
Since investigation into his financial dealings have commenced about two years ago, Government has frozen assets belonging to him awaiting the outcome of the exercise.
Dozens of his land properties, businesses and foreign and local bank accounts were frozen.
Among his frozen assets was Dunes Resort and Casino.
The minister told lawmakers that furniture are the Resort were sold and the complex leased out to the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation and Reconciliation Commission which is about to launch investigation into the former leader’s human rights violations.
The minister said most of the Resort’s furniture was sold by the receiver (Augustus Prom) and the proceeds of 363,534 (Three hundred and Thirty-four dalasis) was saved.
The lawmakers have expressed concern as to whether the Janneh Commission was right selling the properties even before the inquiry was concluded.