By Binta Jaiteh
The elected National Assembly members in 2022, on Friday, 18th August 2023 gathered at the National Assembly courtyard in Banjul to receive a new Toyota Prado Jeep worth D2.5 million each in an official ceremony organized by the NA overseen by the Speakers.
The vehicles which were lied down at the National Assembly premises for some time before the official handing over last Friday generated much debate and even tagged controversial vehicles in different publications as the public queried why should lawmakers buy exotic vehicles for such an amount taking into consideration the conditions of the general citizenry.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony held at National Assembly premises Banjul Honourable Fa Bakary TombongJatta, the Speaker of the National Assembly noted that oversight activities also have been greatly tampered with as only one service bus is at the disposal of committees.
Saying that, the majority of the NAMs cannot visit their constituencies regularly to interface with the people who elected them “this reality greatly affected the members in the execution of their duties and responsibilities.”
It is with this challenge, he said, that the mobility scheme seems to address while appreciating the concerns which he said has shown the “interest our people are taking in the governance of the state.”
He, therefore, informed every Gambian that due process was followed throughout the process and the best value for money, saying “The vehicles are partly funded by the lawmakers and its maintenance, fuel, and running cost is entirely on the members.”
He continued that there is no argument as to what value a mobility scheme can add to the work of people who serve as the link between the government and the citizens.
Momodou Sise, the Clerk of the National Assembly said this is the first time in the annals of the history of the National Assembly that members are accorded official mobility to expand their outreach and enhance one of their core mandates which is representation.
According to him, this mobility scheme is done in such a manner that it minimized cost on the government with the ultimate objective of self-sustaining in the future.
He added that the vehicles loan scheme facilitated as a result of collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and National Assembly is anticipated that the provision shall encourage members to continue taking their duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently.
Honorable Seedy Njie, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly added that the clerk of the National Assembly worked tirelessly to ensure transparency, ownership, and accountability in the whole process, and “this is indeed a milestone for the NA and its significance cannot be overemphasized.
“To our government partners, the Ministry of Finance, GPPA, GRA, and IGP appreciated the partnership to deliver this project and their support throughout the process. We thank the supplier CFAO Motors for the great initiative and to deliver this contract.”