Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Assembly’s Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) has raised concerns over the management of unpaid Hajj ticket loans at Gambia International Airlines (GIA), estimated at D1.6 million.
The committee questioned the airline’s slow recovery process and weak financial oversight during Monday’s review of GIA’s 2022 financial statements.
Addressing lawmakers, GIA’s Managing Director Numo K S,anneh said part of the outstanding amount relates to loans granted to individuals and families for Hajj tickets, some of which were backed by personal guarantees. He disclosed that about D250,000 has so far been recovered, leaving the bulk of the debt unpaid.
Committee members warned that continued delays in repayment could undermine public confidence and threaten the airline’s operational sustainability.
The PEC also sought clarification on the systems in place to monitor repayments. The Managing Director admitted that GIA has not effectively tracked all outstanding payments, allowing arrears to accumulate over time.
He further explained that some cash balances reflected in the airline’s bank accounts are not company funds but deposits held on behalf of ticket purchasers, a situation he said has complicated recovery efforts.
“Most of these debts relate to tickets we have issued. Some of these people are still owing and are still taking tickets. They are paying, but also taking. If you don’t pay, that’s it,” he told lawmakers.
The committee discussed possible enforcement measures, including engagement with the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Commission and coordination with relevant ministries to ensure that government-supported ticket purchases meet their obligations.
Lawmakers stressed the need for structured and timely debt-recovery strategies, warning that continued inefficiencies could jeopardise the airline’s financial position.
In addition to ticket loans, PEC members reviewed GIA’s procurement and cash-management practices, noting the airline’s reliance on overdrafts to cover operational costs.
The Managing Director said rising overdraft levels reflect revenue pressures but reiterated that management is taking steps to strengthen monitoring, improve compliance, and tighten financial controls.
The review concluded with a call for GIA and relevant government stakeholders to strengthen debt-recovery frameworks and ensure outstanding loans do not hamper the operations of the state-owned airline.
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