The lawmakers at the National Assembly in Banjul have approved a total of One Billion and five hundred million dalasis (D1,500,000,000), on Wednesday, 28th July 2021, as the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAB), after 19 hours of intensive and heated debate on the total SAB amount laid before the deputies.
The Finance and Economic Affairs Minister, Mr. Mamburay Njie, initially presented before the legislators a SAB in the tune of One billion seven hundred and sixty-seven million and four hundred thousand dalasis (D1,767,400,000), for scrutiny, consideration and approval.
However, the people’s representatives decided cut a total of Two hundred and sixty-seven million and four hundred thousand (D267,400,000) from the initial SAB of D1,767,400,000 tabled before them for consideration and approval.
The lawmakers’ slicing of over D267 million from original amount presented for ‘legislative blessings’, came following series of amendments to the said SAB.
In his bid to convince the NAMs, Minister Njie explained that the purpose of the SAB is to provide additional public services like national security, election-related services, infrastructure, pandemic, and disaster-related services as well as (The Gambia’s) commitments to international financial institutions.
According to him, the Gambia would not be required to borrow funds to finance the SAB, cognizance of the debt situation of the country; and as such, government intends to finance the SAB from the D1.5 billion revenue generated from the payment in relation to the execution of a termination clause in the contract signed between the Gambia Government and British Petroleum.
Minister Njie vowed: “Our fiscal policy will continue to be oriented towards sustaining the gains we have made over the years, whilst placing greater emphasis on building forward better from the impact of the pandemic.”
In essence, he reassured, the Gambia government remains committed to pursuing a green and resilient COVID-19 recovery that is people centered, and address the triple challenges of debt distress, climate change and the negative effects of COVID-19.
“We will also continue to strengthen the effective and efficient utilization of public resources to improve the wellbeing of our people,” the Finance Ministry boss told NAMs.
