GAMPETROLEUM SAGA, INCOMPETENCE OR IN COLLUSION: GFA DEMANDS A JUDICIAL/PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY..

As a party that firmly believes in the rule of law, Gambia For All (GFA) has been keenly following the economic crimes trial of the Managing Director and Operations Manager of Gam Petroleum.

The reports we are getting from media houses, (Standard Newspaper 29/July/2022) are that Mr Drammeh, former Managing Director, and Mr Gassama former Operations Manager of Gam Petroleum have been cleared and acquitted of all charges levelled against them.

All we can say is congratulations to them and their lawyers for following due process. Clearly though, this cannot be the end of the matter for Gambians, who have endured hardship and suffering during the fuel crisis due to shortage. The flip side of their court victory is that the authorities must now go back to the drawing board to find the real culprits responsible for such a daring heist, which has not only caused hardship for Gambians, but has also resulted in the national treasury losing in excess 30 million United States Dollars .

It will be recalled that in September 2021, the country suffered an unprecedented energy crisis that forced the authorities to organize an emergency press briefing to reveal to disbelieving Gambians that; in plain view of the Gam Petroleum Board of Directors, the entire Gam Petroleum Management, the SIS, other various ministries; an unknown group of persons illegally lifted and emptied the entire national strategic stock of Petroleum fuel  from the Mandinaring storage depot.

The high powered ministerial press briefing appeared to have accused the management of Gam Petroleum of criminal behaviour, hence their prosecution. In view of the acquittal and complete discharge of the accused persons, GFA is demanding a Judicial and Parliamentary inquiry into what has been described as the most flagrant act of  economic destabilization since independence.

A thorough inquiry should be conducted to assure the public of the government’s  commitment to accountability, while at same time addressing public anxiety over allegation of incompetence, indifference, or complicity.

Communication Cell,
Gambia For All (GFA)
Ma-Jonka House, Block 6a
Kanifing Estate