Finance Minister to Address Parliament on Implementation of Annual Budget

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By: Kebba AF Touray

The National Assembly, through the Office of the Clerk, Momodou Sise, has revealed that the Gambia’s Finance Minister is expected to appear before lawmakers to deliver a statement on the implementation and monitoring of the annual budget for the Republic of the Gambia.

As indicated by the Office of the Clerk in the approved agenda of the First Ordinary Session of the National Assembly, the Minister is expected to deliver this statement on Monday, 4 March, 2024, which will mark the opening of the said session of the legislature.

 “In line with Standing Order 94 (1), the Finance Minister is scheduled to deliver an oral Ministerial Statement on the Implementation and Monitoring of the Annual Budget,” the office of the clerk said

According to the Clerk’s office, this statement is scheduled to follow the tabling of Bills in line with Order 65, which will be the first reading of the Bills, namely, National Social Protection Bill, 2023, Nutrition Bill, 2023, Population Bill, 2024 and National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Bill, 2024 by the Vice President of the Republic respectively.

It indicated that the Bills such as The Gambia Legal Metrology Bill, 2023, Cybercrime Bill, and Women (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be tabled by Minister for Trade, Industry, Regional Integration & Employment, Minister for Communications & Digital Economy, and the Honorable Member for Kansala, Hon. Almameh Gibba.

“There will also be a Motion for this august Assembly to consider and confirm the Appointment of Hon. Justice Omar M.M. Njie as Member of the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) by Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice,” the Clerk Office indicated.

The office also unveiled that the Digital Economy Minister is also scheduled to table a motion for the Assembly to consider and ratify the African Union (AU) Malabo Convention on Cyber security and Personal Data Protection, 2014.

On Tuesday 5th March, 2024, the office indicated that there will be laying of papers and reports of the National Assembly Joint Standing Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters and the Select Committee on Regional Government, IEC and Ombudsman on the Rent (Amendment) Bill, 2023 by Hon. Co-Chairperson of the Committee.

“The assembly will also witness the laying of reports of the National Assembly Select Committee on Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports on the Intellectual Property Bill, 2023 by Hon. Chairperson of the Committee, and the National Assembly Standing Committee on Public Enterprises Tour to NAWEC, SSHFC & GRTS (By: Hon. Chairperson of the Committee,” the Clerk’s Office stated.