By: Sandally Sawo
Gambians will next year pay more for passports, court summons, hospital consultations, compound transactions and other government services.
This announcement was made by the Gambian leader as he delivered a statement at the Lower Nuimi village of Pakau Njoguon Monday as part of his annual Meet-The-People tour.
According to Mr. Barrow, these adjustments to government service fees are informed by the need to broaden the country’s revenue base and wean it off financial dependence on international donors.
He explained that donor countries do offer financial assistance but said strings are always attached to them.
“Fees for passport, court summons, compound transactions, among others, will increase next year,” the President announced.
President Barrow said an increase in fees will help the government to be financially independent.
“Those helping us[donors] came here and said the work I am doing is too much and I should slow down. They said the roads cannot be sustained by domestic revenue but if you put all your confidence in one person for help, he will dictate you. So, we want to increase those fees in the next year so that if we don’t have support, we can utilize our locally generated revenue. If it was D200[fees for government services and documents], it would go up to D500 so that we can end the financial enslavement. Like when you go to the hospital, you only pay D25. That must change. If you used to pay D25, you’ll now pay D100,” Barrow told the meeting.