DEFUNCT GPTC STAFF PURSUING SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS FOR 3 YEARS What is the transport ministry doing about this?

By Alhagie Sora A group of former Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC) staff told Foroyaa that they are still pursuing their claims for their social security benefits without success. Social security contributions by GPTC have not been made.The former employees of the defunct company recently visited Foroyaa’s offices to convey their message through the medium for audience with the authorities for the smooth settlement of their savings. According to the group’s spokesperson, many of them have not been working since GPTC became defunct in 2012. They explained that as responsible parents, they find it difficult to fulfill their family needs. They further said that since the closure of the said company, life has been very difficult for them. According to them, if a company is closed down after three months one can get a percentage of one’s savings, but that since 2012 they cannot still get anything. He called on the stakeholders involved to come to their aid. He said to their surprise whenever they approach an authority in pursuit of their claims they will welcome them, meet them and give them hope that the matter will soon be settled, but in the end their hopes will be dashed. In their appeal to the authorities responsible, the spokesperson recalled that they suffer a lot before they could lay hands on their retirement benefit due to them from GPTC, which was not settled till 2014. However, their social security benefits are yet to be paid, apparently due to a gap in payment of contributions. Foroyaa’s information is that Social Security is hesitating to pay their social security benefits unless the gap is closed. The Director of Public Relation at the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation Mr. Ebrima Dampha when contacted on the issue of settling their claims, did not confirm or deny the claims, but was quick to refer this reporter to the ministry of transport saying they have a desk officer responsible for the issue who serves as interlocutor between them (SSHFC) and claimants. He re-iterated that they are the ones mediating on the issue of payment. When contacted, Mr. Ebrima Sanneh the desk officer at the ministry of transport confirmed the story but said he is not mandated to talk to the press. When ask who the spokesperson is, he said it is the permanent secretary (PS) at the ministry of transport. However, several attempts to reach Mr. Dodou Senghore, the permanent secretary at the ministry of transport by phone and visits to hear his part of the story have been unsuccessful. Further efforts will be made to sound the opinion of the PS on the issue.]]>