Africa-Press – Gambia. Members of the National Assembly (NAMs) have strongly criticized the Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) for its handling of the valuation and sale of cattle assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh.
During a heated session on Tuesday before the Special Select Committee investigating the disposal of Jammeh-related assets, lawmakers described GLMA’s conduct as a failure to protect national interests.
GLMA Director General Momodou Darboe faced intense scrutiny from committee members, including Hon. Omar Jammeh (Janjanbureh) and Hon. Sheriff S. Sarr (Jeshwang), over the agency’s procedures and accountability.
Hon. Omar Jammeh raised serious concerns about the qualifications of those involved in the cattle valuation process. He pointed out that individuals like Buba Korta, a key figure in the exercise, lacked proper certification. Jammeh questioned the reliability of the valuations, citing questionable figures as calves reportedly weighing 90 kilograms as examples of apparent inaccuracy.
“There were glaring discrepancies,” Jammeh said. “How can we trust valuations when such improbable figures are reported?” He warned that such errors could lead to significant financial losses for the state.
Director Darboe acknowledged that most of the valuers were not certified. He admitted that GLMA does not have a formal certification process but provides on-the-job training. He also noted that cattle pricing was determined in collaboration with other agencies and often influenced by auction dynamics rather than set values.
Hon. Sheriff S. Sarr focused on the transparency of the process. He criticized GLMA staff for participating in the valuation but failing to produce a formal report. “There’s no accountability without documentation,” Sarr said, urging the agency to take responsibility for inconsistencies in the valuation records.
Darboe conceded that no report was produced and said it would be difficult for GLMA to accept full responsibility without knowing the specific arrangements made during the exercise. He also revealed that some of the staff involved were no longer employed at the agency.
The committee also questioned the uniform pricing of calves, particularly the equal pricing of male and female calves, despite the latter typically having higher breeding value. Darboe acknowledged the inconsistency, stating that pricing should reflect the buyer’s intent but that auction formats had a role in standardizing prices.
Both lawmakers are of the view, that the failure to adhere to proper valuation standards, on uncertified personnel, and lack of documentation amounted to gross negligence. They called for urgent reforms and tighter oversight of the GLMA and other relevant agencies.
The committee’s inquiry adds to mounting concerns over the management of assets seized from the Jammeh regime and highlights the growing demand for transparency and accountability in public resource management.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
