Africa-Press – Gambia. Nominated National Assembly Member Kebba Lang Fofana on Monday tabled the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to broaden gratuity entitlements for lawmakers, their families, and successors in the event of death, resignation, or recall from office.
The proposed legislation, titled “An Act to further amend the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions Act to create new classes of beneficiaries of gratuities paid under the Act, and for connected matters,” introduces several new categories of eligible beneficiaries.
According to the bill, if a member of the National Assembly dies during their five-year term, having served at least one year, their next of kin would be entitled to 25 percent of the aggregate emoluments the deceased member earned while in office.
“Under the proposed amendment, gratuity to next of kin of member dying before end of term: where a member dies during his or her five year term of office and had completed at least one year of that term, the next of kin of that member shall be paid a gratuity of twenty-five percent of the aggregate emoluments the deceased member had received during his or her membership of the Assembly,” the bill states.
The bill further stipulates that any member who resigns or is recalled after serving at least one year in office shall be entitled to a gratuity amounting to 25 percent of their total emoluments.
It also proposes that an individual who serves at least one year of the residual term of a member who dies, resigns, or is recalled would qualify for a gratuity of 25 percent of the emoluments earned during their tenure.
“This bill seeks to provide for the payment of gratuity to the following new classes of persons. The next of kin of a member who dies before the end of their term,” the document states.
The bill further states that its provisions would also apply to members who resign or are recalled by the electorate, as well as to individuals completing the residual term of a member who dies, resigns, or is recalled. It adds that the proposed amendments are expected to significantly enhance the comfort and welfare of National Assembly Members.
“The bill also aims for a member who resigns or is recalled by the electorate and the person completing the residual term of a member who dies, resigns, or is recalled by the electorate. It is envisaged that when this bill is passed, it will greatly improve the comfort and convenience of National Assembly Members,” the bill states.
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