By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
James Gomez, Minister of Fisheries has confirmed to this medium that the European Union has already paid €825, 000 (eight hundred and twenty five thousand euros), approximately over D43m (forty three million dalasis) into the accounts of the Gambian Government by the European Union as part of the Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA).
Minister Gomez also disclosed that equipment for the Fisheries Monitoring Centre for the country has already been purchased from a French Fisheries Company dubbed CLS, adding that this equipment have been bought from the funding of the Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement deal with European Union and are already on their way to The Gambia.
On 31st July 2019, the European Union and The Gambian Government signed a new 6-year sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA) and associated protocol setting out the fishing opportunities for EU vessels, the financial compensation to be paid by the Union and the modalities of sectorial support to the fishing sector of the Gambia.
The current protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement covers the period 31.07.2019 – 30.07.2025 with a financial contribution of €550,000 per year during 6 years, out of which a specific contribution of €275,000 is dedicated to the support of the fisheries policy of The Gambia.
This fisheries agreement allows EU vessels from Spain, Greece and France to fish in the Gambian waters and is part of the tuna network fisheries agreements in West Africa.
Two years into the deal, this reporter investigates whether European Union is fulfilling its part of the agreement of providing the over half a million euros to the country, specific contribution of €275, 000 per annum. “The fishing agreement was been signed in October, 2018, but the disbursement of funds starts in 2019, as part of the Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA).
They (European Union) have been very committed in all aspect of the agreement,” said James Gomez, Minister of Fisheries. According to him, European Union has make the fully payment of five hundred and fifty thousand euros (€550, 000) in 2019, adding that half of the package is earmarked for access support while the other half is meant for the sectorial support.
He disclosed that European Union has also made the payment of two hundred and seventy five thousand euros (€275,000) for this year, disclosing that all these monies has been paid into the accounts of the government at Central Bank of The Gambia.
“We received €550, 000, that is €375, 000, for Access Support and €275, 000, for Sectorial Support in 2019, we have also received €275, 000, Access Support for 2020. The Sectorial Support tranche is based on 70% usage of the current funds and so far all the funds were sent directly to the Central Bank of The Gambia by the European Union,” Minister Gomez revealed
Dilating on how this monies are been utilized after been deposited in government accounts at the Central Bank, Fisheries Minister, revealed that part of the SFPA funds has been used to established the fisheries monitoring centre at the Ministry.
He added that the funds has also been used to procured materials for this center. “The establishment of Fisheries Monitoring Centre at the fisheries department and the purchasing of its equipment are all coming from the funds of the agreement. The equipment for this center have already been paid to one French Fishery Company CLS and are on their ways to The Gambia,” Fisheries Minister revealed.
However, Minister Gomez failed to provide details of what part of the fund is yet to be utilised, arguing that this can only be disclosed after the proposed joint EU-Gambia Government meetings slated for 26-28th of November, 2020. “We cannot immediately provide you (reporter) with information on how and where the funds have been spent for now but certainly this will be provided to you after the Joint Committee meeting between Gambia Government and the European Union on the Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA), slated for the 25th-26th November, 2020,” Gomez disclosed.
In February of 2019, Minister of Fisheries also informed the presser that the European Union as part of the agreement will purchase two surveillance vessels for the country in its efforts to adequately survey the over 200 nautical miles of the nation’s territorial waters.
“You may be wishing to be informed that government has already granted approval to single source the procurement for acquisition of Fishery inspection vessels from Damen Shipyard, Holland for the protection of Gambia’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the rehabilitation of the slipway No.1 Banjul Shipyard. Even though government gives approval, Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters and by extension the government did not proceed with the acquisition because it was going to increase the debt portfolio of the country,” Minister Gomez disclosed as reasons for failure of purchasing surveillance vessels for the country.
He added: “The Government was unable to meet the 40% grant element as agreed with our donor partners”.
On his part, outgoing European Union Charge d’Affairs in Gambia, Attila Lajos emphatically told this medium that his institution has been very cooperative and committed to the Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement strike with Government of The Gambia, adding that this commitment can be attested by both the government and the Ministry of Fisheries. “We are very much committed to the agreement signed with The Gambian Government and this can be verified from the authorities. As far as the EU is concern, it is fulfilling every part of the agreement it entered into with The Gambian Government,” said Attila Lajos, EU Charge d Affairs.
According to him, European Union has indeed promised to help The Gambia to build up its surveillance capacity in order to effectively patrol and monitor its territorial waters, adding that this process is also on course in a bit to help secure the vase territorial waters of The Gambia. “I’m not micro-financing the projects but what I can say is that EU has taken the commitment to help The Gambia build up its surveillance capacity as part of the fishing deal. However, am not in position to say whether part of the money is used to buy vessels or build communication centres, I believe the Minister of Fisheries is the right person to answer these questions,” Outgoing EU Charge d Affairs tells this reporter.
‘The Unannounced visit is not a witch-hunt’- President Barrow
President Adama Barrow on Wednesday embarked on a surprise visit to various government Ministries at the Quadrangle which he said is not ‘a witch-hunt’ but a monitoring exercise.
Accompanied by the Secretary-General and Head of the Civil Service and the Secretary to Cabinet, the President visited the Personnel Management Office (PMO), the Ministry of Youths and Sports, Ministry of Local Government and Lands, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and the Ministry of Finance.
At the PMO, the President tasked the Permanent Secretary to lead the efforts in instilling discipline in the Civil Service by encouraging punctuality and regularity at work.
“You are given a responsibility in a position of trust and discipline is something that you shouldn’t compromise,’’he observed.
While inspecting the Records Office at the PMO, the President raised concerns about the safety of the documents and challenges in accessing them on time. Permanent Secretary Jawara was quick to say that they have already initiated the process of transitioning to electronic record keeping.
In all the offices the President visited, his message was clear, “work for the interest of The Gambia and not for Adama Barrow.” He interacted with the staff and encouraged them to be disciplined, productive, and honest in the execution of their duties.
At the Lands Ministry, President Barrow engaged both the Permanent Secretary and Minister on the issue of land disputes. Permanent Secretary Sanyang, however, assured him that they are in consultation with the Justice Ministry to ensure the enforcement of court rulings in lands disputes.
Stressing that there is need to resolve pending land disputes, President Barrow said, “We are in a democracy and the courts are independent. I believe the judgements delivered are right and must be respected.’’ He remarked.
The Lands Minister, Honourable Musa Drammeh used the opportunity to highlight some of the key undertakings of the Ministry including an online data system of all allocated lands in the country. President Barrow encouraged them to communicate more and continue with the good work.
At the Ministry Finance, the President was informed that they are working on the 2021 Budget with a focus on infrastructure development, Health, Agriculture, Education, and a huge cut on travel and related expenses.
Throughout the exercise, the recurrent issue highlighted by various Ministries is the need for office spaces. The President assured that the issue would be discussed in consultation with his Cabinet.
The Barrow Administration has undertaken a series of policy reforms to improve the Civil Service as part of the Civil Service Reform agenda, to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to Gambians. Therefore, the President urged the Civil servants to show a positive attitude to work to achieve the desired results in public service delivery.
