By Kebba AF Touray
In a ground breaking development, the National Assembly has on Thursday 10th July 2025, adopted the report of the Joint Committee of FPAC and PEC on its recently concluded inquiry into the $30 Million Oil Scandal.
The inquiry was conducted by the Joint Committee of Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) and Public Enterprise Committee (PEC) of the National Assembly.
The petroleum product is in the tune of 36,935,614 metric tons valued at $30 Million, which is approximately over Two Billion Gambian Dalasi.
Scores of Gambian lawmakers took turns on the report to voice out their observations regarding the report.
First to open the debate was the Member for Upper Fulladou West, Hon. Gibi Mballow, who denied that despite the allegations of bribery, tax evasion and money laundry, “the findings of the report do not establish an iota of corruption, tax evasion, bribery and money laundry”.
He thus distanced himself from supporting the report and the recommendations herein, stating that the report failed to prove the said allegations and that “the recommendation such as censorship of the two former Ministers of Interior and Petroleum is not based on evidence, and I cannot align myself with the recommendation”.
Member for Tallnding Kujang, Hon. Musa Badgie, challenged the assembly:
“This is the moment that the National Assembly proves to Gambians that they are ready to fight corruption, because the revelations by the joint committee in the report are startling, and no one should protect the few at the expense of the vast Gambian majority”.
He further challenged that there be a timeline on the implementation of the recommendation, stating that “the legal practitioner who was identified to be reprimanded by the council, should start with the National Assembly.”
Wuli East lawmaker, Hon. Suwaibou Touray, told the parliament:
“Corruption is actually eating the fabric of this society, and it is estimated that D1.5 is wasted through corruption. What this report is saying, it is full of anomalies”.
These anomalies he cited include mismanagement, favoritism among others. He said that as far as at the time of the inquiry none of the companies submitted the required tax returns in line with Income and Value Added Tax Act 2012. He said that “Creed Energy is registered in the Gambia but Apogee FZC is not.”
On the recommendation for the government to establish a National Petroleum Testing, he supported that the recommendation is apt, adding that “the Gambia require a testing laboratory, because people bring oil into the country which is not tested and is destroying all the engines of the Gambian people.”
Sami lawmaker, Hon. Alfusainey Ceesay, said that “the failure to observe due process as outlined in the report, should have been averted,” saying that it gave room to all the malpractices which are revealed in the report.
Hon. Bakary Badgie, Foni Bintang Karanai member, said that “the recommendation to censor two former Ministers of Petroleum and Interior, for their roles in the matter, that is the starting point as a nation, because those found wanting should face the law, to be able to move the country forward.”
Hon. Madi Ceesay, Member for Serrekunda West, said that from the report, “it is clear that are a lot of underperformance, by people who are entrusted with responsibilities, which has amounted to some way of losing income.”
“If you look at the issue of the D600,000 kick back on a monthly, you will discover that it was confirmed that the D600,000 kick-back was being giving out by one of the witnesses, to someone who was helping Apogee. That for me is bribery”, said Hon. Ceesay.
Brikama South Member, Hon. Lamin J Sanneh, the Co-Chair of the committee, said:
“The institutions and authorities found wanting in the scandal should face the appropriate punishment for their actions and this inquiry is not in any way a witch hunting exercise.”
Member for Nianija, Hon. Amadou Camara, said that “the role of the parliament include legislation, and that the joint committee to come up with resolutions, means that the members are putting themselves in the mandate of the executive.”
Foni Bondali lawmaker, Hon. Dembo Sanneh, told the assembly that “looking at the findings in the report, these actions are out of order people should be held to account for their actions, because public offices should not be run as family entity.”
Kiang West Lawmaker, Hon. Lamin Ceesay, said:
“People who are directly involved in corruption, love the practice, whilst those who are not directly involved in it accommodate it,” saying “Our level of tolerance for corruption in this country is amazing.”
Aside from the corruption practices that are unearthed in the report, it also revealed a lot of administrative lapses in the country, and as such there was a call on the assembly to adopt the report, and allow the police to do their further investigations into the issues disclosed by the committee.
Hon. Sainey Jawara, Lower Saloum, said:
“We are in a failed nation if Honorable Members of parliament are denying facts of the inquiry and to try to disregard the findings and evidence of the report.”
He challenged the members of the joint committee to continue doing the good work, adding that “the Gambians are watching,” and warned “they will not allow any member of parliament to defend Minister on this matter.”
Responding to the issues made during the debate, Hon. Alhagie S Darboe, another Co-Chair, expressed his deep disappointment with members for their comments characterizing the inquiry as a witch hunt:
“I am very disappointed.”
He also said that for some of the members to say that “their report did not establish an iota of corruption, bribery, money laundry and tax evasion, is misleading and misinforming the public.”
After the lengthy debate on the report on the oil scandal, the National Assembly adopted the report.
