By Kebba AF Touray
The Gambian Parliament Thursday adopted a report aimed at granting more authority to Secco committees in handling cash at the local level.
Decided on September 19, 2024, this move followed the adoption of a report by the Select Committee on Agriculture, which visited various Seccos across the country from April 30 to May 5, 2024. The visit focused on Seccos which experienced cash shortages during the 2023-2024 groundnut season.
Hon. Omar Darboe, Member for Upper Niumi and Chairperson of the committee, tabled the report and stated, “The committee recommends that the agreement between NFSPMC and AGIB Bank be reviewed, and Secco committees be given more say and control over the use and handling of cash at the Secco level.”
The report was aimed at assessing the situation of groundnut cooperatives and understanding the challenges they faced. During their visit, committee members engaged local farmers and cooperative leaders to gather first-hand information on the groundnut buying process and its impact on Secco operations.
“The visit by the Select Committee aimed to foster a collaborative approach to resolving challenges in the agricultural sector, which is crucial for the country’s economy and livelihoods of the majority of citizens,” Hon. Darboe told the Assembly.
Key findings from the committee included the selling price of groundnut at D38 per kilo and D38,000 per ton, with a commission of D2,103 per ton. This commission varied based on Secco’s location and distance from the depot. Darboe further highlighted that one major issue was the lack of goods and effective screening, which led to groundnuts being purchased with large amounts of sand and stones.
Another significant finding was the deduction of 3 kilos from each bag of unscreened groundnuts and 1.5 kilos from each screened bag.
Hon Darboe also reported that NFSPMC had an agreement with AGIB Bank to provide a cashier at each Secco for cash payments. Seccos received D10,000 each for maintenance before the start of the season, which was deducted from their commission.
The committee noted that several Seccos reported losses due to insufficient screening, and the funds provided by AGIB needed to be more adequate for purchasing groundnuts. Delays in transportation and inconsistent commission payments were issues affecting Seccos’ operations.
“Many Seccos reported groundnut shortages ranging from a few tons to over 60 tons, which resulted in reduced commission payments and financial constraints. Some Seccos also faced challenges due to inexperienced staff handling weighing and record-keeping,” Darboe said.
The report outlined several challenges faced by Seccos, including outdated or insufficient equipment for screening and weighing, financial shortages, and delays in payments from AGIB. Poor road conditions and discrepancies between Secco and depot weighing scales also contributed to inefficiencies.
The committee also raised concerns about the lack of insurance coverage for damages and losses during the groundnut buying and transportation processes, as well as inadequate training for Secco presidents, clerks, and farmers.
“The findings of this visit will inform future legislative actions and interventions to improve the groundnut buying process, prevent shortages, and provide more support to the agricultural sector in general,” Darboe concluded.
Other recommendations from the committee included a call for proper screening before buying groundnuts from farmers, NFSPMC investment in modern screening machines, and timely disbursement of funds. The committee also emphasized the need for improved road infrastructure, reliable transportation, robust management structures, and regular audits to ensure transparency and accountability.
