Mr. Mambury Njie, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, has lamented that the Covid-19 Pandemic and the measures imposed to curb its spread, had diminished the country’s 2021 revenue and incomes.
Speaking at the National Assembly in Banjul during his tabling of the draft estimates of revenue, recurrent and development expenditure for the 2022 fiscal year on Monday, 18 October 2021, the Finance and Economic Affairs ministry boss decried, “It has increased expenditures on the already pressured social sectors such as health and education and reduced or halted economic activities, in many productive sectors”. He observed that vulnerable groups also carried the greatest burden, particularly children, older people, persons with disabilities and those with preexisting health conditions.
Minister Njie opined that the country has come a long way since 2021, and that due to the decisive policy responses and exemplary national and international collaborations, the country has registered significant progress.
He continued: “This has made it easier for Gambians and residents to cope with this unprecedented crisis. Our interventions in the health sector in terms of procurement of drugs, vaccines, ambulances and rehabilitation of health centers across the country, has been vital in containing the third wave of the Coronavirus and prevented further damage to our economic prospects.”
Njie said total revenue and grants stands at D25.76 billion in 2021 and is projected to increase to D29, 87 billion in 2022. He explained that the recovery plan aims to support post pandemic progress, the attainment of the sustainable development goals, as well as factor their detailed macroeconomic forecasts and specific strategic priorities and policy.
Meanwhile, the various committees of the legislature on Thursday, 21st October 2021, commenced their committee bilateral with their relevant line Ministries on their respective budget lines.
