By Kebba AF Touray
The Majority Leader and Member for Kantora constituency, Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, has reassured that the Gambian parliament will continue to work without fear or favor, affection or ill will. He also assured parliament’s unwavering commitment to serve the supreme interest of the nation diligently. Majority Leader Tunkara said this on Friday 28th March 2025 at the National Assembly while moving a motion for the Assembly to adjourn sine-a-die. The motion was made in line with Section 98 (1) and (B) of the 1997 Constitution and Standing Orders 13 (5) and 54 (1) of the National Assembly.
According to Hon. Tunkara, the concerns of the citizenry are at most, the thoughtful consideration of the Assembly, and that parliament will work towards addressing the challenges that the country is faced with.
The Assembly commenced the first ordinary session in the 2025 Legislative Year on Monday 3rd March 2025 and concluded the session on Friday 28th March 2025.
The session was characterized by putting oral questions for oral answers between lawmakers and cabinet ministers, which relates to their various Ministries, Agencies and Departments.
The Cabinet Ministers who appeared during the session for oral answers were the Vice President, Ministers for Finance, Health, Tourism, Gender, Interior, Justice, Trade, Higher Education, Basic Education, Information, Transport, Defense, Environment, Foreign Affairs and Agriculture.
Moving the motion, the Majority Leader and Member for Kantora said throughout the session, the Assembly considered and adopted records of votes and proceedings of the daily sittings as required by Order 35 (2). He reported that the Ministers for Finance and the Environment have also appeared before the plenary to provide replies to the various reports of the legislative committees.
“The session also witnessed the tabling, consideration and adoption of the motion for the ratification of visa exemptions between the Gambia and the UAE, by the Foreign Affairs Minister and the agreement was accordingly considered and ratified,” he said.
In terms of bills, he reported that the legislature has also considered, adopted and passed bills such as the Criminal Offences Bill 2025; Criminal Procedure Bill 2025; National Security Council Bill 2023; Students Revolving Loan Scheme Bill 2025; Waste Management Bill 2024 and The Gambia Metrology Bill 2025.
He added that various committee reports were also considered and adopted including reports of the Standing Committee on Human Rights; Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs; Committee on Health, and the Select Committee on Education, among other reports.
Hon. Tunkara reassured the citizens of the unwavering commitment of the legislature to serve the supreme interest of the nation diligently, without fear or favor, affection, or ill will of any kind.
“I took a special notice of the genuine concerns of fellow citizens regarding the progress made thus far on legislation. I wish to state that indeed your concerns are genuine and are within the most thoughtful consideration of this august assembly,” he assured, and said the road ahead is undoubtedly challenging and assured of his full commitment to work alongside his fellow lawmakers to address these challenges.
