By Binta Jaiteh
As the year runs to end, it is importance to remind readers that several bills were passed before the National Assembly in 2021.
These Bills all went under scrutiny, though some were resubmitted to the committee of the whole house for consideration and approval.
In summary, the bills passed in 2021 includes the Estimate Budget of 2022 Revenues and Recurrent and Development Expenditure which was tabled by Honorable Mambureh Njie, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.
During the laying of the bill, Minister Mambureh Njie informed the house that the 2022 budget being presented to the august assembly symbolises their collective commitment on ongoing reforms and it aimed at not only greater fiscal discipline and transparency.
He cited section 152 (1) of the 1997 constitution which states that His Excellency the President is required to instruct the Minister of Finance to prepare and submit to the MPs at least 30 days before the end of the financial year.
The “government reaffirms its commitment to innovative development financing which will be additionally joined at the hip with investment in both the social and economic sectors,” he added.
He explained that the total revenue and grants in 2022 is projected to reach D29.87 billion, which represents a growth of 16% compared to 2021figure of D25.76 billion.
Also, Thursday, 18 November, Market and Securities Bill 2021 with amendments was tabled at the legislative house during the second ordinary session in the 2021 legislative year.
The Minister of Finance who was tabling the bill for scrutiny said that regulating document for Capital and Securities Market is dynamic transparent, fair and well placed which will contribute to the nation’s development.
More so, the financial implication from approving this bill will estimate from establishing the Capital Market and Scrutinize Commission and the Capital Market Tribunal.
According to him, the overriding consideration in the establishment of the above is to create a balance between the needs for regulation of the market on one hand, accountability grievance redress mechanism on the other.
Looking at the bill during the third reading of the bill the Minister said the bill has gone through the consideration stage at the committee of the whole house.
Furthermore, the capital market bill was considered with amendment and moved to be read third time and passed. The bill is appropriate circumstances impose penalties and levies on default in capital operators.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly has passed the Person’s with Disabilities Bill 2021 on the 6July to plenary and the President has assented to the bill on 4th August.
A welcome move by the Gambians as it is the first piece of legislation that provides for the fundamental human rights and freedom of persons with Disabilities in The Gambia.
“After almost a decade of tireless advocacy and communicating with stakeholders, the bill finally passed and now has a law that protects its fundamental rights and freedom.”
Reacting to the advent of this long-awaited bill of legislation, Muhammad Krubally, chairperson of the Gambia Federation for Disable (GFD) said the bill is one of the most important bills to them. It was stated that the law will not only recognizes peoples’ rights but also enables people to hold the government accountable where it fails to protect these rights.
Also, it could be recalled that on the 8November 2021, the Honorable Minister of Health Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh tabled the Health Insurance Bill scheme.
The bill if available will reduce out expenditure on health families and communities, still on 2021 bills, Nationality and Citizenship Amendment Bill tabled in parliament.
Going further, the long awaiting bill which is Access to Information was passed through the National Assembly after two years of debate.
The bill gives Gambians the legal right to seek information from public officials and through the courts.
In 2016, Gambia Press Union with the support of civil society organizations initiated the bill and submitted it to National Assembly in December 2019 the lawmakers have since been debating on the bill.
The bill allows citizens, journalists, students and civil society organizations to be able to access government data to promote transparency and good governance. It also ensures transparency, strengthen the culture of provision of information and promote peoples participation and ensure accountability in the conduct of institutions.
Still in December 2019 the Gambia Press Union said it will be an achievement for this country and citizens for democracy and progress.
However, other relevant bills such as Women’s Amendments, Matrimonial Causes Amendments Bill, Civil Marriages, Domestic Violence Bill, Petroleum Commission Bill, Supplementary 2021, Births Deaths and Marriages Amendments Bill 2021 were all passed through the National Assembly.
