By Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia Ports Authority has made D3.3 billion between 2018 and 2019 this was disclosed according to a financial statement of the authority to the National Assembly select committee on Public Enterprise Committee.
“The Gambia Ports Authority one of essential business companies in the Gambia hits amount of 1.6 billion in 2018 and 1.7 billion in 2018,” committee told reporters during a face-to-face with officials of GPA in Banjul.
Meanwhile, Honorable Halifa Sallah, chair of the committee said: “the Gambia port authority is not an ordinary institution and the constitution provides for the public enterprises to be established to serve as an arm for the rendering of efficient services to the public.”
‘’A government that depend entirely on taxation grants and loans cannot be able to sustain the public servants, it has become an evident that sustainable development must rely on the creation of public enterprises that will pay dividend to the state,” he added.
“They have seen what the statue indicates and is very broad, it is not only to load and unload any ship in Gambian waters or provide all the facilities needed appliances to enable the ship to carry on an efficient manner or to salvage life. Basically, we have seen through your report that your concentration on the port of Banjul entry and exit as far as international trade is concern. The port of Banjul according to you, 80% of the countries international trade entry and exit is conducted through the port,” he pointed out.
According to him, the plan that GPA has, starting from 2019 the new masterplan and it supposed to range from 2019 to 2030. Looking at your plans we have identified some of the key areas that you would wish to move into by way of those investment. .
