By Kebba AF Touray
Lawmakers clashed on Monday during a spirited debate in the National Assembly as they reacted to President Adama Barrow’s 2025 State of the Nation Address, delivered on June 19. The debate spanned critical national issues including the draft constitution, agriculture, national security, international diplomacy, migrant labour deals, the cost of living, and governance reforms.
In a forceful intervention, the Member for Bakau, Hon. Assan Touray, criticized the President’s remarks on Gambia’s role in the Islamic world and questioned the effectiveness of the country’s leadership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“As Chair of the OIC, what has the government done to resolve conflicts in Islamic states?” Touray asked, urging the Vice President to submit a report substantiating claims that the 15th OIC summit in 2024 was a success.
Despite his concerns, Touray commended Barrow’s announcement that both the Victims’ Reparations Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission will become fully operational during the current legislative year.
“These are crucial for justice and accountability. Many Gambians have been demanding this, and I am satisfied with the commitment,” he said.
Touray, however, dismissed the President’s praise of the 2024 draft constitution.
“The constitution he referred to was not subjected to public consultation. It was prepared by a few individuals. The 2020 draft should have been the focus,” he stated, calling the 2024 version “a failure.”
Hon. Amadou Camara of Nianija described the address as “well delivered” but condemned what he termed a “blatant disregard for UN treaties and international law” in the Middle East.
“We have seen our brothers and sisters in Palestine, including women and children, being gunned down while collecting food aid,” he said. “It’s disheartening. The President is right to call for diplomacy—we must speak the truth and call a spade a spade.”
On the constitution, Camara said lawmakers should not expect the same draft to return unchanged.
“If reintroduced, it may come with amendments. It is our responsibility as lawmakers to scrutinize and do what is right,” he said.
Hon. Alfusainy Ceesay of Sami emphasized the need for practical security measures, arguing that CCTV cameras alone are insufficient.
“Security officers need to be mobile to pursue and apprehend offenders,” he said.
Turning to agriculture, he challenged the government to empower local rice producers as a way to fight unemployment and food insecurity. He also demanded that the government disclose the price of fertilizer for the current farming season.
Hon. Abdoulie Njai, the Member for Banjul Central, welcomed the government’s salary increase but warned of inflationary pressures.
“Salary increments must reflect value for money. If inflation is not factored in, the increments become meaningless,” he said.
Njai stressed the need for greater digitalization to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, noting that 60 percent of Gambians work in the informal sector.
“There are gaps in how the government taps into funding. More effort is needed to digitize the economy.”
On energy, Njai criticized the lack of reliability, pointing out a power outage in the Assembly during the debate.
“We talk of value for money, but electricity remains unreliable. We need consistent and quality service,” he said.
Hon. Fatou Cham of Sannementereng questioned the impact of the President’s proposed “Yiriwaa” (the way forward), noting that prices of basic goods are rising.
“Yiriwaa is meaningless if essential commodities continue to hike daily,” she said, calling for urgent action on food security.
Cham also demanded clarity on the status of migrant labour agreements with Spain and Dubai.
“What is the condition of those youths sent abroad under these labour deals?” she asked.
She further raised concerns over the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act.
“If the Act exists, why is the Ministry of Gender facing challenges implementing it?” she questioned.
Kiang West MP, Hon. Lamin Ceesay, focused on the port expansion concession, urging the government to monitor the project closely.
“When the concession ends, we must ensure the company leaves behind quality infrastructure. Otherwise, we risk going back to square one,” he warned.
Hon. Sheriff Sarr of Jeshwang stressed the need for immediate support to farmers amid delayed rains.
“We are already in June, and the rains are not forthcoming. What assistance is available to the farmers now?” he asked.
Sarr also urged the Assembly to remain open-minded about the revised draft constitution.
“Let the draft come. Let us assess it, add our inputs, and allow it to go through the legislative process. It cannot go anywhere if Parliament doesn’t pass it,” he said.
To be continued.
