By Kebba AF Touray and Mariama Touray
The Interior Minister, Abdoulie Sanyang, has told the National Assembly that a total of 19 murder cases were reported from 2022 to the first quarter of 2024.
He said this while responding to a question put to him by the Member for Busumbala, Hon. Muhammed Kanteh, on Wednesday 25th September 2024.
Member for Busumbala, Hon. Muhammed Kanteh asked the Minister to update the assembly about the crime statistics concerning murder cases reported to the police.
Minister Sanyang responded, “The murder cases reported from the period 2022 to 2023 were 16 cases. During the initial quarter (2024), there were 3 reported cases of murder”.
Hon. Kanteh also asked the Minister to update the assembly on the status of the alleged GPA theft case involving the staff at the billing unit reported to the police.
Minister Sanyang replied that an inquiry into suspected revenue irregularities at the GPA billing unit is carried out by a panel primarily involving or composed of police officers.
“Two weeks into the investigation, the panel recommended that a special audit be conducted by the GPA, to ascertain the extent of fraudulent activities from January 1st 2019 to 31st December 2021,” he said.
On September 20, 2023, Interior Minister Sanyang said the office of the IGP, received the conclusive audit report from the NAO, for further investigation, adding that “currently investigation is in progress; phase 1 co relating information will be highlighted in the final report”.
Hon. Assan Touray, Member for Bakau, asked the Minister to state the position of the government to renegotiate all bad contracts that are taking a heavy toll on ordinary Gambians, such as Semlex and the unpopular security fee at the Airport.
The minister explained that the Semlex contract ended in February 2024, and the government of the Gambia is committed to take full responsibility for the issuance of the National ID Card.
On the issue of the security fees at the Airport, he told the members that negotiations are ongoing to embed the fees in the tickets.
Member for Lower Saloum, Hon. Sainey Jawara asked a supplementary question, “What is the root cause of the termination of the Semlex contract, and why are Semlex receipts issued to applicants when their contract is terminated?
The Minister clarified, “The contract is not terminated. The contract just ended and they requested for an extension and we refused, because the conditions were not favourable”.
Foni Bintang Karanai, Hon. Bakary Badgie asked the Minister whether they have plans to lift the payment of the airport fees on travellers in and out of the country.
The Minister replied that the fee is paid worldwide, and the only problem with the Gambia is that it is not embedded in the ticket, “but at any airport in the world this fee must be paid. That is why government is making everything possible to ensure that the fee is embedded”.
