By Nelson Manneh
The Gambia Transport Union (GTU) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, hosted officials from the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure (MoTWI) and other key stakeholders at its headquarters in Banjul to initiate discussions on drafting a new Road Transport Bill.
The move marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to modernise The Gambia’s transport sector and replace the outdated Motor Traffic Act of 1948, which no longer aligns with contemporary transport realities.
Omar Ceesay, President of the Gambia Transport Union, emphasized that the GTU has been advocating for comprehensive legislative reforms for more than five years to establish a fair, efficient, and well-regulated transport system.
“The absence of adequate legal frameworks has created an uneven playing field, affecting commercial transport workers, commuters, investors, and the broader economy. This new bill aims to modernise the legal framework governing road transport operations, remove key bottlenecks that hinder efficiency and fairness in the sector, incorporate global best practices for sustainable transport management, and ensure fair competition and improved working conditions for transport operators,” Ceesay stated.
As the drafting process progresses, Ceesay called on all stakeholders, transport operators, and relevant authorities to fully commit to this historic reform.
“The transport sector is the backbone of The Gambia’s economy, and a well-regulated system is essential for national growth and development,” he noted.
The GTU president also commended the government, through the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, for recognising their concerns and demonstrating a strong commitment to reforming the road transport sector. He reaffirmed the GTU’s dedication to collaborating with the government, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to ensure that the bill addresses the needs of transport workers, businesses, and the public while enhancing safety, efficiency, and economic stability.
The proposed Road Transport Bill is expected to usher in transformative changes that will improve the transport sector’s structure, sustainability, and overall contribution to The Gambia’s economy.
