Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Assembly is seeking an additional D50 million in the 2026 national budget to replace its deteriorating information and communications technology system, warning that the current setup is outdated and increasingly vulnerable to failure.
The request was outlined in the Finance and Public Accounts Committee’s review of the 2026 revenue and expenditure estimates, presented by the committee’s chairperson, Alagie S. Darboe.
“The Assembly requires an urgent additional budget of D50 million for the 2026 fiscal year to overhaul its failing ICT infrastructure,” Mr. Darboe said, noting that the system—installed more than a decade ago—has reached a critical state.
According to the committee’s report, the ICT network, installed in 2014, is now at “high risk of total collapse.” Persistent technical failures, lawmakers say, have repeatedly interrupted parliamentary sessions, disrupted debate proceedings, and jeopardized the integrity of official parliamentary records.
“The current system, installed in 2014, is obsolete and at high risk of total collapse, frequently disrupting debates, compromising official records, and threatening to paralyze parliamentary operations,” the report noted.
The proposed funding would finance a comprehensive digital modernization project, including a new digital microphone system, an electronic voting platform, tablets for members, and an upgraded Hansard recording system.
“This investment is critical to prevent an institutional shutdown, enhance legislative efficiency and transparency, and align the Assembly with modern parliamentary standards,” the committee said.
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