By: Sandally Sawo & Haddy Touray
The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure said the UDP leader’s claims that the Banjul Port was sold off to the Turkish company the Albayrak Group was “utterly misleading” but the UDP said the works ministry has yet to clear the mystery shrouding the port concession agreement.
Darboe made repeated claims in a press conference on Tuesday that The Gambia Government has sold the Port of Banjul to Albayrak.
Ebrima Sillah. Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure.
“Lawyer Darboe’s statements were not only tastelessly false but were deliberately crafted to misinform his audience principally to discredit a business opportunity that is clearly set to transform Port Service delivery in The Gambia. For the avoidance of doubt, and contrary to Lawyer Darboe’s misinformed claims during his press conference, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure and its partners involved in the Port Concession negotiation were guided by good faith, patriotism and love for the country. The process was aided and supported all through by an International Transactional Advisory Firm with experience in delivering such mega projects in more than ten countries in Europe and Africa,” the works ministry said in a statement.
“In his clear low level of understanding of port operations, Lawyer Darboe made a varied and demeaning characterization of the present management of Gambia Ports Authority as men and women who are not up to the task compared to previous managers before them, surprisingly even those who served under a dictatorship that used and misused the resources of the Ports to oppress and jail Mr. Darboe,” the statement read. It added: “However, to set the records straight, it has to be clear that the Port of Banjul was a small Port during the late 80’s to the early 90s and real growth and expansion only happened in 1992.
“The population in The Gambia then was below 700,000 and the import figures up to the mid-90s was less than 500,000 tonnes, commensurate with the population growth and consumption rate.
With the advent of the new Government in 2016, volume grew more than expected to the level than the Port of Banjul, which was less than busy, started to experience acute congestion due to the growth in volumes. Record dividend ever was paid by the current GPA Management to Government during this period after more than 10 years, starting with 20 Million in 2018 reaching 190 Million by 2021.”
The works ministry said the Banjul Port is still 100% Gambian-owned.
“Therefore, from the above factsheet, it is clear that the Port remains 100% property of The Gambia Government. What is concessioner out are management and operations. The harbour and mooring services still remain under the control of the Government. The general public is therefore urged to ignore the misinformation coming from the UDP camp since the successful launch of the Port Concession. They are meant to get good Gambians engaged in fishy expeditions and mindless banter in the social media thinking that will discredit the government and actors behind the Concession Project. That has woefully failed flat on the face of the perpetrators,” concluded the statement.
UDP leader Ousainou Darboe
Meanwhile, this statement has triggered a reaction from the UDP, which states: “ The United Democratic Party acknowledges the press release issued by the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure on March 5, 2025, concerning the concession agreement with Albayrak Group. While we appreciate the Ministry’s efforts to clarify its position, critical concerns remain unaddressed, particularly regarding transparency, equity, and the long-term implications of this arrangement.
“Our concerns are not rooted in accusations of “selling” the Port of Banjul but in the opaque terms of the concession itself. The Gambian public and key stakeholders, including the National Assembly, have been excluded from scrutinizing an agreement that binds national assets and revenue streams for 30 years, the Ministry’s failure to involve the National Assembly or disclose the full agreement to the public undermines democratic governance. Concessions of this magnitude, which involve strategic national infrastructure, must undergo parliamentary debate and public consultation per constitutional principles. The claim that the process was “guided by patriotism” does not substitute for accountability [and] the 80-20 profit split in favor of Albayrak raises serious questions: Why should a foreign entity retain 80% of profits from Gambian resources for three decades? Is this ratio consistent with global best practices for port concessions, particularly in comparable West African nations? What safeguards exist to ensure The Gambia’s 20% equity share yields meaningful returns, given inflation and evolving economic conditions?”
The UDP also raised concern over the duration of the concession.
“A 30-year term risks locking The Gambia into an arrangement that may not align with future economic priorities. Long-term concessions demand rigorous cost-benefit analysis, including: exit clauses for non-performance by the investor, mechanisms for periodic review to adjust terms in line with national interests,” it stated.
The Gambia’s biggest opposition party also said questions about the public benefits of the concession agreement remain unanswered.
“While the Ministry highlights infrastructure upgrades (e.g., Sanyang Deep Seaport), critical details are absent:What guarantees exist that Albayrak will fulfill its USD 19 million investment pledge? How will the promised “4% of gross revenue” and “dividends” be calculated and audited? Why are Basse and Kaur Inland Ports mentioned only in passing, with no binding timelines?”
The party also raised local content and employment concerns.
“The concession’s “1% local content provision” is insufficient for a project of this scale. Furthermore, retaining existing staff under Albayrak does not address broader unemployment or skills development for Gambians,” read the release.
The UDP urged the Ministry to immediately publish the full concession agreement for independent review, subject the agreement to parliamentary scrutiny and public hearings, re-negotiate terms to ensure a fairer profit-sharing model and shorter concession period and to establish a multi-stakeholder committee to monitor implementation.
“The Gambia’s ports are strategic assets that belong to its people. Any concession must prioritize national interest, transparency, and equitable gains. We reject attempts to dismiss legitimate concerns as “misinformation” and demand accountability to safeguard our nation’s future,” it stressed.
