By: Yunus S Saliu
The latest information reaching this medium has informed that the Board of Directors for the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) inaugurated in 2019 has been dissolved, Wednesday by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
According to the reliable sources, the reason for the dissolution of the board members by the Ministry, is still vague.
However, the impeccable source informed this medium that there is an ongoing imbroglio within the Gambia Tourism Board corridor prior placing the entire staff of the GTBoard, effective from 1st June, on half salary payment by the Minister of Tourism and Culture contrary to his claims that he was ‘acting as a responsible Minister.’ While the payment of half salary to the said staff will continue for the next six months, ‘until something changes.’
According to the FatuNetwork online, the Minister disclosed that he took certain measures to cut cost. “This is taxpayer’s money. I don’t send anybody on redundancy, I don’t send anybody on leave without pay. I said, ‘stay home, you’ll be paid half salary.’ You will be paid half salary and park your vehicle. No cost to the board.”
Receiving this directive is like a thunderbolt on management and staff who have not been happy with the development, while a board meeting was convened Thursday, 4th June to find an antidote to the Minister’s unexpected package to them but after some hours of deliberation the meeting was adjourned to today, Thursday, 11th June before the recent development.
The GTBoard staff have pursuing to resolve the matter through the board now unfortunately dissolved as the staff would now wait to see what they would do next.
Efforts to reach Minister Hamat NK Bah to confirm this new development proved abortive as his phone was ringing without response, while our sources informed us that he has gone for a meeting.
Calls were also made to reach the former Chairman of the dissolved Board of Directors Alhaji Abdoulie Touray but also proved abortive as his phone rings many times without answer.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture led by Minister Hamat NK Bah, Thursday, 17th January, 2019 inaugurated the dissolved board of directors for the Gambia Tourism Board while Abdoulie Touray was made the chairperson and among other members included Malleh Sallah, Babucarr Suwareh, and Catherine Niang.