Africa-Press – Gambia. Several National Assembly Members have strongly criticised Gambia’s budget system, describing it as ineffective and incapable of holding the executive accountable despite recurring financial malpractice.
Hon. Lamin Ceesay, NAM for Kiang West, was particularly scathing, labelling the system a “footless bulldozer” that fails to enforce fiscal discipline.
Speaking during deliberations on the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) report on Thursday, he acknowledged the committee’s hard work but lamented the limited time allotted to scrutinise the report in detail.
“Our budget system makes no sense. We don’t need to come here and sit over a national budget if ministers have the power to override it without due regard for the law,” he said. Citing FPAC’s findings, Ceesay highlighted purchases and expenditures made without notifying relevant budget bodies or evidence of government approval.
“This Parliament looks like a footless bulldozer. We approve budgets here, but ministers fire the budget however they want,” he said. Though he clarified he was not targeting the President personally, he noted the Executive’s attitude mirrored issues exposed at the Local Government Commission of Inquiry.
Hon. Babou Ceesay, NAM for Sabach Sanjal, called for stronger follow-up on FPAC recommendations. Stressing that the Assembly must demand regular progress reports, he warned that large sums of public money were at risk.
“These are monies our women wake up at 4 a.m. to pay, only to end up in individuals’ pockets,” he said. “FPAC has identified these issues and made recommendations; we must ensure institutions report back and comply.”
Hon. Lamin J. Sanneh of Brikama South expressed concern over longstanding financial discrepancies running into billions of dalasis.
“Defaults in the financial statement show glaring differences year after year,” he said. Sanneh urged consolidation of government infrastructure records and clearer oversight mechanisms, warning that many recommendations lacked concrete follow-up plans.
Hon. Abdoulie Njai, NAM for Banjul Central, said the country’s public finance management system suffers systemic weaknesses. He called for legally binding parliamentary resolutions and clear consequences for non-compliance.
“We are losing billions of funds while recommendations gather dust,” he lamented. Njai also stressed the need for proper evaluation of public assets, many of which remain undocumented or undervalued.
Hon. Omar Jammeh of Janjanbureh called for urgent action against counterfeiting and financial malpractice in local councils, pushing for expedited external oversight.
“The report shows public officials engaging in counterfeiting,” he said. He also raised concerns over councils failing to record revenue properly and urged speedy implementation of recommendations on harmonising medical and non-drug fee collections.
Turning to the judiciary, Jammeh warned: “Malpractice in the judiciary is undermining public trust. If we cannot fix it, we are lost.”
Hon. Gibbi Mballow, NAM for Lower Fuladu, demanded immediate arrests following the report’s revelations.
“We want to be a serious government; people cannot just do whatever they want,” he stressed. He also questioned how foreign companies could exploit national resources with impunity.
Hon. Shiriff Sarr, NAM for Jeshwang, condemned the “unacceptable” plight of farmers, healthcare workers, and the poor, accusing authorities of enjoying themselves while citizens suffer. He urged action to alleviate this burden.
Hon. NAM from Central Badibou expressed deep disappointment at rampant corruption at both central and local government levels, calling for urgent arrests and robust resolutions.
Nominated Member Fatou K. Jawara emphasised the need for the ministry of Finance and central government to urgently put their house in order. She urged community leaders to take ownership of governance challenges and act decisively within their localities.
Hon. Birom Sowe, NAM for Niamina West, highlighted unacceptable delays in financial reporting and called for targeted support to healthcare workers, especially in underserved areas.
Hon. Sani Alfusainey Ceesay along with NAMs for Jarra West and Basse, voiced concerns over unsustainable funding, warning that inadequate resources threaten effective governance at all levels.
Majority Leader Billay G. Tunkara, NAM for Kantora, called for criminal investigations into financial manipulations including deletion of transactions and unexplained property transfers. He urged the assembly to adopt strong resolutions to protect taxpayers’ money and hold offenders accountable.
The Minority Leader praised FPAC’s comprehensive report and urged continued investigations. He noted progress in revenue collection but stressed ongoing challenges with auditing and transparency.
Collectively, MPs highlighted a widespread culture of impunity and the urgent need for legally binding mechanisms to enforce financial discipline and institutional reform. They warned that without decisive action, public trust in governance and national development would continue to erode.
As the debate closed, the Assembly was united in demanding immediate, transparent implementation of FPAC’s recommendations alongside stronger oversight and sanctions to deter future misconduct.
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